Welcome, fellow adventurers and nature enthusiasts! Are you ready to discover one of Kent’s walking routes? The Crab and Winkle Way walk, a scenic and historic trail, offers a unique blend of coastal charm, lush woodlands, and rich history. Spanning approximately 7.45 miles, this easy-to-navigate route takes you from the quaint seaside town of Whitstable to the historic city of Canterbury, immersing you in a journey that is as enlightening as it is refreshing. Originally the path of a pioneering railway line, the Crab and Winkle Way has transformed into a beloved walking and cycling trail, inviting visitors to explore the beauty of Kent’s countryside. Let’s delve into the enchanting journey that awaits you on this historic trail.
Another walk, another Christmas Market. While you can enjoy this walk in any season, I ventured on the Crab and Winkle Way during winter, walking from Whitstable to Canterbury to experience the festive charm of the historic town’s Christmas Market. Join me on this journey!
Crab and Winkle Way Map
Do you want to do this walk? Download the GPS map of the Crab and Winkle Way for free by clicking on the button below. The file is in GPX format; to learn how to upload the map onto your navigation app, follow my step-by-step guide ici.
Logistics of the Crab and Winkle Way
Distance7,45 mi (12 km)
Montée totale305 pi (93 m)
Point culminant : 259 pieds (79 m)
Point le plus bas : 26 pieds (8 m)
Estimation de la marche : 2 heures et 20 minutes
Difficulté: Facile
Comment s'y rendre:
- Train direct de London Victoria ou London St Pancras à Whistable
- Le trajet depuis l'une ou l'autre des deux gares mentionnées ci-dessus prend 1 heure et 20 minutes
Pour le Retour:
- Train direct de Canterbury West à London Victoria. Le trajet dure 1 heure et 30 minutes
- Train direct de Canterbury West à London St Pancras. C'est un train rapide et le trajet dure moins d'une heure.
- Il y a un train lent qui va de Canterbury West à London Charing Cross. Le trajet dure 1 heure et 45 minutes.
Ce qu'il faut emporter
- Comfortable clothing and footwear. The trail is paved so a pair of trainers is sufficient
- A backpack or cross-body bag with water and snacks
- Couvre-chef, crème solaire et lunettes de soleil si le soleil est de la partie
- Vêtements de pluie au cas où de la pluie est prévue
Informations complémentaires:
- Il y a des toilettes pour passagers aux gares de Whitstable et de Canterbury West.
- Il y a des toilettes pour clients disponibles au Tesco Extra de South Street, à votre sortie de Whitstable.
- Il n'y a pas de toilettes publiques sur cette promenade.
- Il s'agit d'une promenade sans marches
- Cette promenade est adaptée aux chiens
- Convient aux cyclistes
Où manger
- Marché de Noël, Canterbury, Kent
- Le Cabanon du Homard, Whitstable, Kent
Highlights of the Crab and Winkle Way
- Whitstable
- All Saints Church, Whitstable
- Clowes Wood
- St Cosmus and St Damien’s Church
- Canterbury’s main landmarks such as the Crooked Doorway House, Butcher’s Street, the Clock Tower, the Westgate Towers and of course the Canterbury Cathedral!
Crab And Winkle Way Guide
Typically, people walk this route from Canterbury to Whitstable. However, for this guide, we’ll travel in the opposite direction to capitalize on the festive season and indulge in some Christmas shopping at the Canterbury Christmas Market.
Whitstable
Our journey begins in the coastal town of Whitstable, Kent, renowned for its oysters, harvested from the sea bed since Roman times. On 3 May 1830, history was made here with the opening of the first entirely steam-hauled passenger and freight railway line connecting Whitstable to Canterbury. This line closed in 1952, and it wasn’t until 1999 that a cycling route following the disused line was established.
So, why do they call it the Crab and Winkle Line?
The Canterbury and Whitstable Railway Company, or C&WR Company, operated the initial railway service. Since the train headed to the harbour town of Whitstable, it earned the nickname Crab & Winkle Railway.
The Crab & Winkle Way stretches over 7.6 miles between Whitstable’s port and Winchester’s Cathedral. This walk is slightly shorter, about 7.45 miles, starting from the train station rather than Harbour Street, the official trailhead. Look for signposts like the one pictured below to guide you along the path.
Invicta Way
Exiting the station, turn left onto Old Bridge Road. A few meters ahead, you’ll spot a footpath across the road. Safely cross and enter the path known as Invicta Way, a segment of the Crab & Winkle Way. The Invicta locomotive, which once hauled the train from Whitstable to Canterbury, inspired this name.
As you progress, you’ll soon see All Saints Church’s roof, a thirteenth-century landmark, to your left. Feel free to deviate briefly from Invicta Way to visit the church before returning to the trail.
Further ahead, you reach the charming A2990. Pass through the foot tunnel, then continue straight. Leaving the residential area, you step into open fields, crossing the A299 again via a footbridge this time and heading towards Clowes Wood.
Clowes Wood
Upon reaching Clowes Wood, a 236-hectare forested area within the larger Blean Woods, you’re enveloped in nature. Forestry England manages this site, showcasing a mix of birch and coniferous trees.
The widened paths invite more sunlight, fostering wildflowers’ growth and attracting butterflies and birds such as nightingales and nightjars.
As you wander through the forest, you’ll come across a peculiar structure by a pond. It’s actually a picnic table and seats designed like a wheel. Nearby, hidden among the greenery, lies a level crossing gate – perhaps a remnant of the old Crab & Winkle line?
Blean
Exiting the woods, you’ll find yourself at a working farm on Blean’s outskirts. Navigate through the plantation to a field, following the designated path alongside the crops.
The village church, dedicated to St. Cosmus and St. Damien, is situated half a mile from Blean’s centre, right on the Crab & Winkle Way. Erected in the thirteenth century and expanded during Victorian times, this church is one of only four in England dedicated to these Arab-born twin brothers who were Christian martyrs, executed under the order of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Canterbury
Leaving the church, rejoin the trail to begin your descent towards Canterbury.
Tyler Hill Railway Tunnel
Follow the path alongside the crops until you reach Canterbury’s outskirts. Near the crossroad with Gill Lane, you’ll find a car park. Cross it to discover the bricked-up and fenced entrance to the former Tyler Hill Railway Tunnel, a half-mile-long engineering marvel. The University of Kent, built above the tunnel, led to it being filled with rubble after a building collapse in 1974. Now, a colony of bats occupies the tunnel during winter.
From there you need to get to Eliott Hill, where, lucky for us doing the walk in this direction, we descend towards Canterbury.
Beverley Farm Footpath Arch
Continuing on the main path through the park and turning left near the Archbishop School, you enter a wooded area leading to the historic Beverley Farm Footpath Arch.
Constructed between 1825 and 1830, it provided safe passage under the railway for cattle and pedestrians from Beverley Dairy Farm. Despite the closure of the Canterbury to Whitstable railway line, the Arch remained intact until 1966 when it was buried during a housing development. In 2015, the Crab & Winkle Line Trust successfully petitioned to uncover and preserve this arch.
Marché de Noël
A mere 10-minute walk from here brings you onto bustling St Peter’s Street, a major thoroughfare in Canterbury. Landmarks such as the ones below capture your attention:
- Église Saint-Pierre
- Rivière Stour
- Butcher Street
- Canterbury Cathedral
- The Roman Museum
- Westgate Towers
- Canterbury Clock Tower
- Palace Street Historical Buildings
Contenu connexe: Flatford Mill Walk
Your destination, the Marché de Noël, awaits on Whitefriars Street, extending along St George’s Street and Gravel Walk.
Happy shopping!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Crab and Winkle Way is a walkable and cyclable route stretching from Harbour Street in Whitstable to Pound Lane in Canterbury.
This historic path is 7.6 miles (12.2 km) long, following a disused railway line between Canterbury and Whitstable.
The Crab and Winkle Line was a railway connecting Whitstable to Canterbury, named for the seafood delicacies found in Whitstable.
Final Thoughts on the Crab & Winkle Way Walk
As we conclude our exploration of the Crab and Winkle Way walk, it is clear why this trail is a cherished part of Kent’s landscape. Spanning 7.45 miles from the coastal town of Whitstable to the historic city of Canterbury, this walk offers a varied and accessible experience for walkers and cyclists alike.
The route, steeped in history as a former railway line, now serves as a peaceful pathway through some of Kent’s most picturesque landscapes. Along the way, we’ve encountered key landmarks such as the All Saints Church in Whitstable, the expansive Clowes Wood, and the significant Tyler Hill Railway Tunnel near Canterbury. These points make the Crab and Winkle Way both an enjoyable and convenient choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Thank you for joining me on this descriptive guide of the Crab and Winkle Way walk. I hope it inspires you to embark on this scenic route and experience its wonders for yourself.
And you, what is your favourite walk in Kent? Let me know in the comments below.
Cette promenade vous plaît ? Épinglez-la !
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