Reculver, River Wantsum, St Nicholas at Wade and Saxon Shore Way

A Lowland Walk Around the Shores of the Isle of Thanet

This walk explores what was once the Wantsum Channel, which divided the Isle of Thanet from the remainder of Kent. The channel is now land, albeit low-lying and marshy, but in Roman times it was an important artery protected by forts at both ends, including Reculver where this walk begins.

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Start Point

Reculver

Grid Ref: TR 22627 69238

Total Distance

9.2 miles (14.8 km)

Total Climbing

48 metres

Estimated Time

4 hours

Difficulty Grade

Moderate

Trail Navigation Files:

💾 Download GPX Route Google Earth (KMZ) 📖 About Isle of Thanet

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

Essential paper map for exploring Canterbury, Isle of Thanet, Herne Bay, Deal and Whitstable:

150 Canterbury, Isle of Thanet & Herne Bay →

The Walk Report

Starting at the ruined towers of St Mary's Church at Reculver (built in the 7th century using Roman tiles and rebuilt with twin towers in 1200), the route follows the Northern Sea Wall and the River Wantsum inland toward the village of St Nicholas at Wade.

Passing Sarre Mill and Sarre, the path continues across Chislet Marshes before returning via the Saxon Shore Way along the coast to Reculver.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.

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Reculver, River Wantsum, St Nicholas at Wade and Saxon Shore Way

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

The Walk Report

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