Whatever your level of fitness, the Viking coastal trail around the Isle of Thanet in Kent offers the opportunity for fresh air and exercise in a beautiful setting.
The route is level, and 70% of it is traffic-free, making it ideal for families. There are also “mini-routes” that you can do if you don’t want to do the whole route.
The route runs from Reculver in the North to Pegwell Bay in the South, with an inland extension to St-Nicholas-at-Wade and includes many places of interest.
[highlight]What will you see on the Viking Trail?[/highlight]
The six mini routes all have a theme, and the theme on the first one is churches. From the 13th Century church in St Nicholas-at-Wade, to the Ramsgate churches of St Augustine’s, designed by Pugin, and the Sailor’s church in the harbour, the route takes in six churches. This mini route is the longest of the six at 9.5 miles.
The History, Art, and Architecture route is just 4.5 miles long and stretches from Pegwell Bay to the other end of Ramsgate. This route is mostly coastal. Sights to see on this section of the trail are the Viking Ship at Pegwell bay, as well as Pegwell village, Westcliff in Ramsgate, with its huge terrace and leisure park on Royal Esplanade, the Royal Harbour and Marina with its selection of bars and restaurants, and the Italianate Greenhouse, where concerts are sometimes held.
The next section of the route covers Broadstairs. On this section you can visit King George VI Memorial Park, Crampton Tower Museum, Dickens House Museum and Bleak House, Broadstairs’ main beach – Viking Bay, and North Foreland Lighthouse. Whilst in Broadstairs there are a selection of cafes, restaurants and shops.
The next part of the route retraces the steps of St Augustine. It is 4.5 miles long and covers St Augustine’s Cross in Ebbsfleet, Minster Abbey and museum, St Mary the Virgin’s Church in Minster. You can also visit Monkton Nature reserve nearby although this is technically off the route.
Thanet has a history of smuggling which is covered in the next section. From Joss Bay to Margate Harbour, this part of the trail passes the beautiful Botany Bay and the Captain Digby Pub, Margate museum, harbour, old town and the Turner Contemporary art gallery.
It is one of the shortest sections, at just 3.5 miles.
The last section is 5.25 miles long and goes from Margate to Minnis Bay, mostly on traffic free coastal paths. Passing past some lovely sandy beaches that are quieter than the ones closer to Margate
Whether you walk or cycle the entire Viking trail, or just part of it, you will be able to experience the wonderful Kent coast, and will probably want to return to do it again.
[box]Jane is a travel writer and blogger. She also writes about small businesses and personal finance covering everything from credit cards to umbrella companies .[/box]
