WONDROUS WALKS 3 - Minster

Colin Bridge , Ramblers’ footpaths officer for Thanet says: "For many the holidays are over and it’s back to work, school and the normal daily timetable. But the sun is still out there and so is the countryside. Recapture a couple of hours of freedom and take a ramble out across Minster’s fields and farmland.

"This time the walk starts from Minster Station and is one of the most popular strolls in Thanet. It explores the gentle and spacious countryside of the former marshes south of the village. Tread softly and there is much wildlife to be seen, in the hedgerows at the start and especially along the River Stour. The spacious views and tranquillity lift the spirits.

"A third of the walk is easy going along a country lane, the middle section a robust tramp on a grassy path by the river and finally there is an excellent meandering footpath between fields back to the village.

"The advantage of starting in Minster are the rewards on offer when the walk is over. There is a splendid church and abbey to be seen, a children’s playground in the nearby recreation ground, pubs with gardens at both ends of the village which serve food, several cafes and restaurants, and shops for ice-creams and snacks.

"Grab some time at the weekend and make the most of Minster."

Minster Circular

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Start: Minster Station

Length/Time: 3.5 miles/ 2 hours

Taking care: Some country lanes but mostly field paths that are uneven and can be muddy after rain. There is a footbridge to cross and stiles at the railway crossing although the gates are usually unlocked. Wear stout shoes and take the right clothes to protect against strong sun or showers. Take care with children and dogs by the river.

Parking: On road parking by Minster Railway Station and a public car park near the church. The Bell pub has a car park for patrons.

Refreshments: The Bell and the New Inn have gardens and serve food. There are several cafes and restaurants and take aways, as well as shops selling ice-cream and snacks in the village.

1. From Minster Railway Station turn left along to a T-junction. Turn left here to reach a railway crossing. Cross the lines with care to a country lane beyond. Go on down this.

2. The lane is easy to follow for a good way. At the entrance to a water works bear right to continue on a wide, rough tractor track. Ignore tracks going off right into fields.

3. In a little way the rough track swings left towards a heavy metal gate. Leave the track and go forward, in the same direction as before, on a narrow grassy path between bushes. Follow this to soon emerge on the bank of the River Stour where power cables cross the river.

4. Turn right along the river bank on an uneven grassy path for nearly a mile with the river on the left and power lines over on the right.

5. Eventually look out for a hedge running inland where the river path crosses a footbridge. Do not cross the bridge but turn inland following a field edge with the hedge on the left to a corner.

6. Leave the field up a bank onto a raised track. Turn left along this for a few paces. Just before metal gates, look for a footpath on the right dropping down steps, through bushes, to a long footbridge.

7. Cross the footbridge. Ignore a turning left. Walk directly away from the footbridge along the field edge with a drainage ditch down on the left. Pass under power lines and, still following the ditch and field edge, wind first right then left.

8. Eventually reach the top corner of the field by a concrete sluice gate on the left. The path meets a cross track with a stream beyond.

9. Here turn right on this cross track still following the field edge with a stream on the left. Minster church can be seen in the distance.

10. After some way reach a field corner by a wide concrete bridge. Turn left over this bridge and go forward along the edge of the field beyond with, once again, a wide drainage ditch down on the right.

11. Keep heading directly towards the railway in the distance. At a corner go left, then, in a short distance, right, to head towards the railway again.

12. The path reaches a level crossing with gates and stiles over the railway. Cross with care and go forward to soon reach a country road by a campsite entrance. Turn right along this road for some way between trees, then past houses, to a T-junction at the far end. Turn left and right to return to the station.