Medway Valley Walk

The Medway Valley Walk is a footpath stretching roughly 28 miles from Tonbridge to Rochester along the River Medway through Kent. The route passes through orchards, meadows, and settlements, with locks and bridges crossing the river at regular intervals.

The river valley was settled in Roman times, with evidence of villas discovered in the area. Medieval castles at Rochester and Tonbridge were built as strategic strongholds to control the region.

The path runs through market towns and villages where paper mills, breweries, and ironworks shaped local communities. These craft traditions remain visible in the buildings and structures you encounter along the way.

The path is well marked with Kingfisher logo waymarks and can be followed using Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps. Information guides are available at local locations, and the best time to walk is from spring through autumn.

The walk features ten different locks where you can watch fish and bird life in the river ecosystem. These water structures give visitors a chance to observe rare species and understand the river's natural balance.