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Introduction
Duncan Down is set behind the sea side town of Whitstable and covers around 23 hectares woodland, scrubland, grassland and a stream with some steep sloped pathways depending on where you enter up to the highest point.
The south side is home to Gorrell Valley nature reserve with an informal feell, stone circle and views across Whitstable. The north side of Duncan Down takes on a more formal feel with wide mown grassed pathways and benches for sitting and taking in your surroundings.
Multiple entrances lead in from the surrounding residential roads but unfortunately none of the trails or pathways are suitable for wheelchairs.
Back in 2020 the council created a project to install a stone circle as a symbol of permanence with no religious or political symbolism and just a quiet place for reflection. The stones are laid out to mark the four points of the compass and to mark the sunrise and sunset of the winter and summer solstices.
Walk Location
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Hilltop, Whitstable, Kent CT5 4QE
Parking Location (what3words)
Walk Details
We parked up in St Andrews Close and entered the south side of the downs known as Gorrell Valley nature reserve and took the footpath up through the woodland to the Stone Circle and the views across Whitstable. Continuing around the meadow and down into the woodland we eventually found the stream and pond. Heading out from here the downs are a bit more formal with mown grassed pathways and plenty of benches dotted around for a rest. From here we just followed our noses and made our way back to the start point.
Use the route below on the AllTrails app to follow our route or if you want to create your own route use the app to track yourself so you can see your start point and the available footpaths back to your start point.
Our Walk Route
How to use the AllTrails map
Click the walk title in the top right of the above window to open the route on the AllTrails website or the mobile app. You can then create a free account which will then allow you to follow the route as you walk on your mobile. If you would rather not sign up to AllTrails free account and would like to use another mapping app (such as OS Maps, Outdooractive or Komoot etc) on your phone then you can download the GPX file below and import this into your desired app inorder to follow the trail.
Route GPX File Download
OWTD Walk Verdict
We weren't sure what to expect from our visit to Duncan Downs but with a mixture of informal nature reserve, woodland with a stream and the more formal mown grassed area to the north of the downs there was lots to explore and the boys seemed to love the variety on offer.
The only downside was no onsite parking and no facilites but with pleanty of parking in the surrounding roads andWhitstable town centre being so close this wasnt really a problem
Walk Information
- Moderate - A walk with some hilly sections and some uneven pathways
- Our route was approximately 3km but with a network of footpaths available you can make the walk as long or as short as you like.
- If your stopping to admire the stone circle and the views then allow around and hour.
- A mix of terrain ranging from wide grassed pathways to rough woodland trails and uneven scrub land.
- Unfortunately there are no hard surfaced pathways at this location but there are some wide grassed pathways which may be suitable for large wheeled mobility aids.
- No Stiles
- Dogs allowed off lead.
- Dog bins available
- Parking available in the surrounding roads
- Nearest toilets would be in Whitstable town centre
- Nearest refreshments would be in Whitstable town centre
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