Marden Walking Group was established in February 2005 and is affiliated to the Marden Society. Its primary aim was to update the “Walks around Marden” leaflets originally published by the Marden Society in the 1970s. Our first set of “Six Walks Around Marden” was published in 2006, and this was followed by a second set of “Six More Walks Around Marden” published in 2009. These leaflets are available from Marden Post Office, Library, West End Stores, Stanley’s Garage and Tanner Farm.
The Group is led by Catherine Alderson and organises two series of regular walks:
Sunday Walks: These take place monthly, normally on the last Sunday of each month and are usually 5-6 miles over paths around Marden (or other local villages) including stiles. Meet at 10.00 in the village car park unless informed otherwise.
Health Walks: These are on the first Saturday afternoon of each month and are 1 – 1½ hours around Marden with no stiles. By popular demand however, this programme has been expanded and further “Social Strolls” are now run every Saturday, with routes depending on weather and conditions underfoot. For all these Saturday walks, meet at 2 p.m. in the Village Car Park.
We also organise occasional Maintenance Walks to check on the condition and signage of our local footpaths and report back to KCC if necessary, usually on a Tuesday morning.
Our current programme of Walks is given below, If you would like further information, or would like to be put on an e-mail list to receive information on future walks, please contact Steve McArragher (steve.mcarragher@btinternet.com).
Spring & Summer 2012 schedule:
Saturday Strolls will continue as usual, meet at 2 p.m. outside the Library.
Saturday 3rd March 2 p.m. Health Walk to see spring flowers in Bridgehurst Wood
Sunday 25th March 10 a.m. Walk around Scotney Castle estate. Meet in car park to share cars to Scotney.
Saturday 7th April 2 p.m. Easter Health Walk between Linton and Boughton Monchelsea Churches. Meet in car park to share cars to Linton.
Sunday 29th April Circular walk from Staplehurst to Frittenden. Meet at 10.00 in car park and share cars to Staplehurst
Saturday 5th May Health walk Bridgehurst Wood to see Bluebells with extension to Marden Meadow for orchids. Meet 2 p.m. in car park.
No walk on Sunday 27th May, or Saturday 2nd June, but…
Sunday 3rd June New Diamond Jubilee walk. This 6 mile walk goes north from Marden towards and around Chainhurst to Great Tilden and back. Meet at 10 in car park.
Sunday 24th June repeat of diamond Jubilee walk.
Wednesday 27th June: Evening walk to Horlands Farm for farm visit joint with Marden Society. Start time to be confirmed.
Saturday 7th July Health walk from Stilebridge to Chainhurst, return by car. Meet 2 pm in car park to share cars to Stilebridge.
Sunday 29th July Circular walk around Brenchley. Meet 10.00 in car park to share cars to Brenchley.
Saturday 4th August Health walk through orchards to Marden Thorn, returning via Thorn Road or across fields to Copper Lane.
Sunday 26th August No walk