SWC Free Walk 28, Birchington on Sea to Whitstable. 27/4/13.

The Greek Gods Boreus and Apollo looked down favourably on this walker today making this a fine 12.7 mile coastal walk.
Shortly after leaving the station, the walker is soon on the cliff-top path with the distant sight of the twin towers of St Mary's Church ahead. This becomes the focus for the lunch time stop, which can be taken at a local hostelry nearby, or in Reculver country park, where there are a number of picnic tables.
The section between Birchington and Reculver is the quietest, and, probably, the more scenic. After the country park, the walk passes through more urban terrain, until reaching the pleasant town of Whitstable, and its castle.
A fine walk, if the elements allow it to be done as written, and the comments about it being hard on the joints are unfounded; there's always the possibility to come off the concrete and use the grass.
Shame about yet another array of wind turbines to spoil the coastal horizon!
(Some wind interference on audio).

[@ButterCupMMXXIII]

Yes! So happy to revisit Whitstable here, was there for a town and coast walk during a day's train journey stopping at several Kent locales, in June 2012. Thanks so much! :)

[@debbief9861]

Really helpful for someone thinking of exploring the area. Thanks

[@amib]

Pleasure! ;-)

[@Westwoodii]

Thanks amib. That camera is very well reviewed, and I see can now be picked up for around £200. Hope your problems get sorted!

[@angelaharvey4499]

I walked in the other direction from Whitstable to Margate (via Birchington on Sea) yesterday. The sun was out and not much cloud at all. Loved the Reculver Towers, which was the main feature of the walk. I was not so keen on Margate though.

[@amib]

A long walk Angela. I've yet to do the extension to Margate, mainly for the reasons you've since discovered. Yes, Reculver was the best bit. ;-)

[@arriesone]

Lovely coastal walk Amib, with headphones on feels like I'm there! Pls can you get in a bit closer on some of the info boards, I find they're sometimes just a bit too blurred to pause and read. I know I could google but it's more fun to read them as I walk along! Thanks Amib.

[@amib]

Yep, like to keep a low profile, and didn't realise I was in it until it was too late! My Panasonic HDC SD60 has just come back from a service, but I was using it yesterday down in Sussex and the same problem is still there, as you will no doubt see, so further attention required...not sure when that'll get done as I use it weekly.

[@Louisa93able]

I love gorse too; not just for the colour but the coconut smell of the flowers and its value as cover for small birds. Where would your favourite site be for a bench in appreciation of you?!!!!

[@amib]

Not sure yet; still working on that, though I guess it ought to be on one of the SWC walks, for posterity. Not sure memorials can be placed in the National Parks as the South Downs is right up there! 😉

[@missingthanet]

An enjoyably low key walk. I lived in Thanet for several years, and spent a lot of time in the Birchington, Minnis Bay and Reculver area. Many happy memories of dog walks past were rekindled. Had a chuckle over your thinking the remnants of the pier was a frigate. Liked and subscribed.

[@amib]

Cheers Greg. Yep, would never have guessed that was a former pier...thanks for subscribing.

[@amib]

Point taken about the info boards; I try to get the info in one shot, and hope that viewers can enlarge it somehow on their screens, though I haven't tried that myself. Will experiment next time...

[@ginalanzaderas3200]

How i miss to see this place in real life.this is place my dear friend live near in the sea.birchington on sea.how i wish to meet him in person.now only i dream this placce.promise i keep watching.

[@amib]

Thanks for watching Gina. Why can't you return there to see him? ;-)

[@ginalanzaderas3200]

@@amib i keep sending message through skype and gmail.but no reply hope his ok.ive been worry and i up course i always miss him.god bless and thank you so much.i am happy to watch ur vlog.keep it up god bless🙏

[@parjacpar3077]

22:20 Herne Bay . . Herne is inland 22:58 Isle of Sheppy . . Essex is other side of that 23:22 Bishopstone 24:48 Bishopstone steps you gone past take down to beach (quickest route) carry on forward then it will take you across wooden bridge over glen to car park . .big slope goes down to beach . . i would take road way that way you can see a shop that has aloads of old pictures of the area including a Lancaster flying over Reculver with a Hurricane 26:00 you only seeing one of quiet a few and some take you throw woodland some of which are nature reserves and there is "Wildwood" which has been on BBC tv quiet a few times as they have wild boar , beavers , wolves and other animals 25:06 Reculver drive (road) 26:26 Thatched house in Beltinge . .there are More thatched houses in Herne bay 26:53 Slope is best place for sledging in Herne bay on the rare occasion there is snow 28:33 the forts which are mentioned on information panel from WW2 were built to protect the Thames Estery 28:55 whats left of The Pier head missing bits got blown down in a massive storm . . Seagulls mainly use pier head now (see The bay promo team on facebook for drone flying over it ) 20:36 Winter Gardens is at Margate were many famous people have performed. Not far from winter Gardens is Turner Contemporary Art Gallery (Margate) 31:56 Bun Penny was a nice pub until it had a fire and its owners have done nothing about it . .bit of a isore really . . 34:19 Herne Bays 3rd pier 34:43 Some beach huts go for over £80,000 some even double that in places around the UK which is a lot considering there basically a big shed. .36:32 (Seaview Holiday Park Tankerton Kent ) static Caravans and pitches for tents , and mobile caravans 39:42 The Street can only be seen at low tide and is a sandbank that is very straight like a road when tide comes in it has caught people out and killed some which is a shame 39:51 Whitstable castle . .Try walking out towards Chislet as much nicer walks out that way also From Seasalter to Graveny (small village) to Faversham is very nice as all Marshland and loads of sheep

[@amib]

Thanks for the extensive update Jacky, very informative! ;-)

[@amib]

Cheers! Seems to be working ok at the moment again, but let's see... If you can get it for £200, that's very good! It's successor costs around £420!

[@Westwoodii]

Another interesting walk (area very little known to me) and great video, with a rare reflective glimpse of The Walker! Despite some zooming problems you mention, your camera performs pretty well, much better than mine at full zoom. May I ask what model it is please, amib?

[@parjacpar3077]

Reculver towers is in the film "The Dam Busters" as that is were they practiced and Barnes Wallice didnt live far away from the towers

[@amib]

jacky Parker Thanks for the very informative local knowledge Jacky - much appreciated!

[@parjacpar3077]

More then welcome and I always try and help others out were I can