Four Pits Walk
A 40-mile long-distance walk through beautiful Kent, the Garden of England, linking four disused collieries in the county. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: TR 334 523
Distance: 40 miles (64 km)
Time: 15–20 hours
Duration: 2–4 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
138 Dover, Folkestone and Hythe
150 Canterbury, Isle of Thanet, Herne Bay, Deal and Whitstable
Summary
The Four Pits Walk is a circular walking route in Kent traversing pleasant southeast countryside. The four pits that inspire the title and essence of the walk are the former collieries of Betteshanger, Tilmanstone, and Snowdown (which all closed in the 1980s) and Chislet (which closed in 1969). From the start in Northbourne, the walk visits Little Betteshanger, Betteshanger, Doves Corner, Tilmanstone, Kelk Hill, Nonington, the site of Snowdown Colliery, Aylesham, Bekesbourne, Littlebourne, Westbere Marshes, Fordwich, Westbere, Hersden, Chislet, Upstreet, Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve, Wickhambreaux, Wingham, Goodnestone, Eastry, Farthingate, Hay Hill, Finglesham, and the site of Betteshanger Colliery before finishing back in Northbourne.