Deal to Sandwich

The Walk: Start from Deal Station. Walk down to the sea front and visit the Pier, before heading along the promenade and on along the coast path sandwiched (!) between the beach and golf fairways. Proceed past three golf clubs: the Royal Cinque Ports, then the Royal St Georges, and finally The Princes. At this point, at low tide, there is the option to walk along the vast sandy beach until you reach the Sandwich Bay Nature Reserve, to which there is no public access (NB the 'Stour Valley Walk' footpath proceeding to Shell Ness is now closed, although it still appears on the Kent County Council definitive Rights of Way map.) From here the official England "Coast Path" heads inland via flood embankments to Sandwich. End at Sandwich Station.

Map

NB The map shows my GPS track, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely. The route is in BLUE. The RED line denotes the approximate boundary of the protected area of Sandwich Bay Nature Reserve. There are no physical markers on the tidal beach, and I inadvertently probably went slightly beyond.

Why do it: Attractive Deal town, one of the later 'Corporate' Cinque Ports, which remains largely unspoiled by modern developments and high rise buildings. Deal Pier, with a nice cafe at the pierhead. Breezy walk along the coast path which is variously stony track, tarmac road and grassy sward. The option beyond Princes Golf Club and at low tide, to walk on the large sandy beach, with views across to Pegwell Bay and the cliffs around Ramsgate. Bird life along the shore. Impressive line of embankments along the River Stour flood plain between the coast and Sandwich (presumably these are to protect the surrounding fields - and golf courses - from flooding by the river and sea). Incongruous, vast, former Pfizer research facility looming over the meanders of the River Stour and marshes. The historic town of Sandwich, one of the original - or 'Head '- Cinque Ports, with a remarkable tally of ancient buildings of considerable national importance. A chance to buy a sandwich in the town whose Earl gave the snack it's name.

Sandwich Bay beach at low tide

Distance: 13 miles

Logistics: Arrive at Deal station either by train or car (there is an adjacent pay car park). Walk to Sandwich. Get the train back to Deal. You could also park along Deal sea front: I believe it is free of charge at the Northern end, but check signage carefully.

Sandwich station

Challenges:

The beach in Deal, and along to the Princes Golf Club, is all shingle, and is very heavy going, so it is easier to stick to the official coast path.

Watch out for golf balls!

A section of the coast path passes through the private Sandwich Bay Estate: access is with their permission, and they close the path one day per year: check their web site to make sure that's not the day you chose. They also own the beach, but whether you are still entitled to pass below the high water mark is a moot point.

North of Princes, a large sandy beach (or perhaps 'sand flat') is revealed at low tide, which is enjoyable to walk on, but watch out for the incoming tide, and avoid disturbing any bird life. Also, access is not permitted to the nature reserve at the Northern end (see red line on map). If following the official coast path, there are clear signs to that effect. However, there are no physical markers out on the beach, so watch you don't stray too far North (as I did, slightly).

No access sign

The exclusion zone of the nature reserve, and the barrier of the River Stour estuary, prevent direct progress onward toward Ramsgate. Thus, the official England Coast Path retires inland back to Sandwich via a somewhat circuitous route following flood embankments. Whilst pleasant enough, it is quite a long haul, and disappointing not to be close to the coast. As an alternative you could perhaps retrace your steps back and take one of the footpaths across the golf courses more directly to Sandwich. Or you might simply return to Deal the way you came.