High Halstow to Hoo St Weburgh

An 8 and a half mile walk on the Hoo peninsular. Take the 191 Arriva bus from Chatham to High Halstow getting off the bus near The Red Dog Pub. The 191 Arriva bus also serves for the return journey from the Hoo Marina but a more frequent service is available outside the Co-op in Hoo St Werburgh

The Red Dog Pub

Facing the pub you will see Forge Lane to the right

Go down Forge Lane to the Public Footpath

Follow the footpath into the Norward Hill RSPB nature reserve.

Follow the paths through the nature reserve in a northerly direction

Until you come the Saxon Shore Way going west to east


The path continues to the edge of the reserve

Then through a gate in the corner of the field.

Into open farmland.

You will see the Thames Estuary on your left

The path turns right onto a small lane

And continues across a field

Leave the Saxon Shore way and continue in a straight line. You can see St Mary’ Church Hoo in the distance

The path skirts the north of the pond at Newland Farm

There is a bench to enjoy the view

Continue on towards St Mary’s Church

The path changes to a lane by the Church, take a right turn past another pond

Look out for the old fashioned petrol pump

Take the path off to the left

It was a bit overgrown when I walked the route

especially at the end

Crossing the road the path is clearer

Come out onto Hopper’s Lane and follow it for about half a mile where you will see a signpost on the left of the road.

Take the path on the right

Just before you reach Orchard House take a path off to your right across the field


The path continues along the side of a field

Take extra care crossing the A228. Take the road into Stoke village, passing Court Lodge farm house and the White Horse Pub (which unfortunately was closed when I walked past.


Just after the pub take a path to the right.

The path was not clearly waymarked here

Beyond the houses take a left turn

The path widens out

Take a right turn when you get to the lane

Then a left

You can just see the waymark on the telegraph pole

Across another lane. The footpath has been rerouted to cut off a corner.

Cross the railway line


The road layout seems to have been altered but keep walking down Eschol Lane


Go straight across the road onto the path. This was not clearly waymarked.

then turn left at the post

This path was overgrown but it goes between the two pylons

Looking back in the opposite direction it is even less clear to see.
.
The path widens out. You take a right turning at the juction

At the end of the path take a left turn back onto the Saxon Shore Way.

Turn right when you reach the river
You can see some of the Medway defenses , Darnet Fort, Hoo Fort and World War 2 pillboxes



Round the back of the factories

Into the Hoo Marina Park

There is a bus stop at the end of Vicarage Lane at the entrance to Hoo Marina Park, but there is a more frequent bus service from the centre of Hoo St Werburgh.

Downloads
High Halstow to Hoo – Google Earth File
High Halstow to Hoo – GPS Exchange Fiole