I am delighted that Dover and Thanet Rights of Way Society (Datrows) resumed walks in September, limited to six walkers. October 4th’s leisurely walk began by the remains of the Roman fort at Richborough, about two miles north of Sandwich. The route gave fine views of the remaining Roman walls and deviated from the public path to visit the site of the amphitheatre.
The walk leader told us about three features of interest: Richborough was the site for the Roman invasion in AD 43, when Aulus Plautius led four legions to add Britain to the empire. It later became a fort to defend against Saxons before Roman rule ended about AD 420. At the west end of the fort was Roman Watling Street, the main road to London. Here the legions marched with their military equipment. Still in use as a farm track, Sic transit gloria.
The walk crossed the embankment of the former East Kent Light Railway, built by Colonel Stephens to serve the east Kent coalfield. Remains of the bridge over the road can be seen. The line also went to Port Richborough, about a mile and a half northwest of the Roman fort and harbour. The coast has altered since Roman times. Port Richborough was built during World War One and carried vast amounts of supplies to the western front.
Luckily the rain stopped for our walk.
One of the things i missed during lockdown was walking with Datrows every fortnight. This time we combined the pleasure of walking with a connection with history.
Rambling Brummie 