Be the first to officially walk the new rail trail from Cuxton to Ranscombe NNR on this 7 mile wellbeing, storytelling and poetry experience

We invite you to join us as we celebrate the opening of a new waymarked rail trail from Cuxton Railway Station to Plantlife's Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve. (https://www.plantlife.org.uk/our-work/ranscombe-farm-nature-reserve/)

Working with Plantlife Ranscombe Farm Reserve, Medway Council, and the Friends of Cuxton station; Kent Community Rail Partnership (https://kentcrp.org/) have created a waymarked walking route connecting Cuxton station to the Ranscombe Reserve.

The waymarking will help people who make sustainable travel choices to reach Ranscombe Reserve and the glorious countryside of the Kent Downs.

Ranscombe Reserve is part of the North Kent Woods and Downs NNR, which is one of the King’s Series NNRs (National Nature Reserves) https://kentdowns.org.uk/nkwd/about-us/nkwd-our-story/ (https://kentdowns.org.uk/nkwd/about-us/nkwd-our-story/)

Community Rail Network have provided funding to make the waymarking possible, along with two walk experiences which will be led by Michael aka (WalkWild Wellbeing (https://www.walkwild.net)) who is a North Downs Way and GeoPark Ambassador, Nature Wellbeing Practitioner and a co-director of Wild With Wheels CIC (https://Www.wildwithwheels.com)

This the first of two experiences will celebrate how the railway connects us to people and nature. Each walk will be leisurely paced, with regular stops, wellbeing focused, and will include storytelling and poetry, including new poems written by Michael, to celebrate the occasion.

We will walk through the Ranscombe NNR, an area with beautiful views, and in part a short section of the North Downs Way, woodland walks and often with Buzzards and Kites flying overhead. We will also take a brief stop at the Cobham Mausoleum.

We encourage all who attend this walk to observe the importance of sustainable travel, and in being a key theme of the walk to travel to Cuxton by train where possible. There are two trains an hour in both directions, to this location. Please contact me if you need help with planning your journey.

This walk is suitable for children, but all children must be accompanied by an adult. When booking please book a child ticket for each child that will be attending.

Walk Q and As:

Meeting Point: Outside Cuxton Railway Station

What3words: Map ///heats.pint.gain

Terrain: Some medium slopes, up and down. Woodlands, Fields and if wet can be slippery or muddy in places.

What age range is the walk suitable for?

All ages welcome. All children under 18 to be accompanied by an adult.

Stiles on route? Yes

Dogs: Yes Dogs on leads welcome

Suitable for pushchairs: No

Accessibility:

Suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters: No

Toilets: No

Refreshments: Please bring at least 2.5 litres of water and snacks. We will take a 30 minute lunch, please bring a packed lunch. A ground blanket or sheet may also be advisable.

Linear walk - No

Circular walk - Yes

Family friendly - Yes

Takes in scenery - Yes

Takes in woodland - Yes

There are stiles on the route - Yes

There are steps on route - Yes

Clothing: Please wear suitable clothing for the weather on the day, we will be walking through fields. Sturdy boots or walking shoes are recommended as it could be slippery in places underfoot. Walking poles are optional but may aid walking in some places.

Photography: Photographs will be taken and may be used within a follow up report or future marketing. If you do not want to be part of these please state this before the walk departs.

Medication: Please let a leader know if you need to take any medications during the walk. There will be regular stops but if you require to take these at a particular time we can make a stop to do so.

Religious Breaks: If you need to stop for a prayer or other religious practice break, please let a leader know and we will respect your needs for these.

Other challenging medical conditions including mental health: Please let me know if you might need a time out, or prefer to walk apart, or need to stay close to myself or a support walker. I have worked in mental health for over 10 years and understand how participation in an activity like this can cause anxiety and overwhelm. All information will be kept in strict confidence, and if you need a conversation prior to and following this event, this can be arranged.

This walk is covered by comprehensive liability insurance, supplied by RIPE Insurance.

A trained first aider with full first aid kit will be present throughout.

Cancellation: This is a limited number walk; if you are unable to attend following making your booking, please cancel or request cancellation so others who want to attend are not left disappointed. If all tickets are sold out, please add yourself to the wait list, tickets will then be allocated if they become available.

On the day: Please arrive in good time to set off at 10am.

Any further questions, please conta

Description supplied by the event organiser.