The Swale is the channel between the Isle of Sheppey and the rest of Kent. From Old English “swalwe” meaning rushing water. The Borough of Swale is the local government area including Sittingbourne and Faversham. The Swale Heritage trail links these two towns and continues to Goodnestone to the east of Faversham. The trail was conceived by Swale Borough Council and developed with Kent County Council. KCC produced a guidebook in 1995 which includes three circular walks involving parts of the Saxon Shore Way.
The trail is about twelve miles and easy walking, or was in 2008. No part is more than 20 metres above sealevel, and i don’t remember going astray. Sittingbourne [Stream of dwellers on slope] and Faversham [Home of the smith] are well connected by train. Goodnestone [Godwine’s farmstead] has a bus service.
Not wishing to wait ages for a rural bus, i used a car for the eastern section, walking to Faversham from Goodnestone and back by the Saxon Shore Way and other footpaths. One highlight was seeing a fox take a rabbit for breakfast. Another was meeting former colleague John Adams and his dog Honey by Faversham Creek. We were both technicians at Canterbury College. John, musician and songwriter, encouraged my marathon running.
For the western part i took a train to Sittingbourne and so walked in the same direction as the guide. My diary reads “ok except for being unfit and long walk through industrial Sittingbourne” Two km i think to the start of the trail near Murston.
Between the two towns the trail goes through orchards, meadows and small villages. Traces of former industry: brickfields, clay and gravel pits. Creeks made Sittingbourne, Conyer, and Faversham busy ports. Faversham once made explosives.
I enjoyed a pint in the Castle at Oare towards the end of my walk. The trail passes Bob Geldof’s home, Davington Priory, before crossing the creek near the Shepherd Neame brewery.
A pleasant walk and thanks to the producers of the guide.
Rambling Brummie 