Wondrous Walks 4: St Nicholas-at-Wade circular

Colin Bridge, Ramblers' footpaths officer for Thanet says: "Now's the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. What a wonderful way to capture the sight and sense of early Autumn.

"Recent weeks have seen glorious autumn days and the countryside has taken on its special seasonal character with shades of brown in ploughed and stubbled fields, the changing colours of leaves and the rich reds, purples and blacks in the hedgerows.

"It’s also the time to venture out and pick blackberries, elderberries, sloes and damsons or just to revel in the rich harvest of fruits in hedges and orchards alongside rosehips and great fronds of hawthorn berries.

"Enjoy these delights along with misty views of Sarre Windmill set against the splendid vista of the Stour Valley. This walk starts from the imposing parish church in St Nicholas with its tower which is the landmark of the marshes.

"The path down to Sarre is a classic Thanet walk but the circle round to the west samples a more tranquil corner of reeds, water and field edges.

"Take a one and a half hour stroll or plan a little longer and call in at Sarre Mill on the way round.

Thanet Gazette: Wondrous Walks 4 St. Nicholas-at-Wade Circular

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Start: St. Nicholas Parish Church

Length/Time: 2.5 miles/ 1.5 hours (without stops) Sarre Mill is easily reached from this walk but allow extra time for a visit)

Taking care: Easy walking on paths and farm tracks with some field edges which are uneven and may be muddy after wet weather. There are no stiles on this walk.

Wear stout shoes and take the right clothes to protect against sun or showers.

Parking: On road in St. Nicholas village. The two pubs have parking for patrons.

Refreshments: The Sun Inn and the Bell have gardens and serve food. The village shop sells snacks, drinks and ice-cream. Sarre Mill has a shop, café and toilets.

1. From the main entrance to the church, turn left along the road, soon passing between the two pubs in the centre of the village. Opposite the village shop turn right along Manor Road.

2. In a short distance, where the road turns left, go straight ahead on an asphalt path down the side of a house. Go through a metal kissing gate and bear left off the path to go along by a fence on the left.

3. Follow this through bushes and trees to emerge onto the top corner of a playing field. Pass a seat and large trees and leave the playing field onto a narrow path going straight ahead across a field.

4. On reaching a line of trees at the far side, go through and continue to follow the path as it turns right along a field edge, then left past a garden and house. Soon reach a junction of ways with the end of a road on the right.

5. Continue straight ahead downhill with excellent views of the Stour Valley and Sarre Mill.

6. At the bottom of the hill reach a metal swing gate.(To visit Sarre Mill go straight ahead here, turn left at the top of the next field to cross the Canterbury Road and reach the mill. Return to this point afterwards.) Otherwise do not go through but turn right along the field edge with a hedge on the left. Wind along here for some way.

7. On reaching the buildings of Down Barton Farm, turn sharp left on a farm track, a short way, to a large wooden bridge. Turn right over the bridge and go forward along the field edge skirting the farm site.

8. At the end of the farm fence, keep on across a broad grassy track between fields. Soon a stream comes in on the left. Keep forward along the bottom edge of the field by the stream to eventually reach a white house called Belle Isle.

9. Here turn right up a broad farm road. At the top of the hill keep forward to the buildings of St. Nicholas Court Farm.

10. Follow the road as it turns left through the buildings. At a little roundabout swing right, still on the road, to leave the farm and soon reach a T-junction with a main road.

11. Turn right along the road, with care, all the way back to St. Nicholas church.