Medway Valley Walk: A Complete Walking Guide to Kent’s Scenic River Trail
The Medway Valley Walk is a delightful 28-mile (45 km) linear route that takes you through the picturesque countryside of Kent, following the course of the River Medway from Tonbridge to Maidstone and then to Rochester. This easy to walk and mostly flat trail is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life as you walk by the calming river through historic villages, woodlands and meadows.
I also think, it’s a good walk to do if you want to walk it in several sections, as there are frequent train stops along the trail and you can easily get back home or to your accommodation in one of the large towns, such as Maidstone, Tonbridge or Rochester.
I have walked the Medway Valley Walk in about five days over the course of several months, as I combined it with other walks in the area and only did a shorter sections at a time.
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My favourite part of the walk
I’ve really enjoyed the quietness of first section of the walk from Tonbridge to East Peckham, where I hardly met anyone on the path. But if you don’t mind more people and want more attractions and facilities, then the section from Aylesford to Maidstone (or the other way round) is perfect.
I walked this section one Sunday, so I started with the farmer’s market at Aylesford priory and then walked via Allington Locks to Maidstone (in opposite direction than normally). You can also visit the Kent Life Museum and at the weekends take the boat from Allington Locks to Maidstone instead of walking!
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Medway Valley Walk Info
DISTANCE: 28 miles (45 km)
STARTING POINT: Tonbridge
FINISHING POINT: Rochester
WALK DIFFICULTY & TERRAIN:
The route is relatively easy to follow, with gentle gradients and few steep ascents or descents. The path is mostly well-maintained as you walk closer to Meadway and mostly level and perfect for walkers all ages and abilities. The path can be quite overgrown in places between Tonbridge and Yalding
FACILITIES: There are pubs & cafes along the way (mostly around the larger towns and villages), but not on the first section of the walk between Tonbridge and East Peckham
ACCESSING THE PATH: There are several train stops along the trail – Tonbridge, Yalding, Waterinburry, Maidstone, Aylesford, Snodland, Rochester and more.
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Best way to walk the Medway Valley Long Distance Path
The path is mostly flat and easy to walk on, so you can walk it in both directions without any problem. But if you want to watch the river and the towns alongside getting bigger it makes sense to start at Tonbridge and walk to Rochester.
I walked the path in several different sections as a day trips and combined public transport with getting to the start of the trip by a car. For example I parked my car at Yalding Marina and walked to Tonbridge and then got train back.
You can even do a shorter sections, for example from Yalding or Waterinbury to Maidstone or from Aylesford to Maidstone, which is probably the most interesting and easy to walk parts of the walk.
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Alternative way to walk the Medway Valley Path
Because the public transport and accommodation is really good along the path, you can also base yourself in one town (I’d recommend Maidstone as it’s roughly in the middle) and do the walks in sections – always taking train or bus to the start of the walk and then returning back to your accommodation.
The train stations are short distances apart around Maidstone, the only longer section is between Tonbridge and Yalding (but there are also buses).
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The Medway Valley Walk Sections
Section 1: Tonbridge to Yalding (Approx. 15 km)
- Start: Tonbridge Castle, Tonbridge
- End: Yalding
This section starts at the historic Tonbridge Castle and follows the River Medway through scenic countryside and passing through small village of East Peckham towards the end of the section. The path is mainly riverside with lush fields and occasional woodland. This section is very quiet and you won’t meet many people along the way.
Once you start walking away from Tonbridge there are no villages until you get to East Peckham and Yalding Marina, so make sure you have plenty of water and packed lunch. I also found the path quite overgrown in places, but just about walkable. This section is also very difficult to do as a shorter walk as there are no bus stops or train stations until you get to East Peckham.
There are several locks on this section, some no longer in use.
Section 2: Yalding to Maidstone (Approx. 15 km)
- Start: Yalding
- End: Maidstone (near Maidstone town centre)
From Yalding, the route continues along the river, weaving through rural landscapes and the attractive village of Wateringbury and East Farleigh. Approaching Maidstone, the walk becomes more suburban but still offers riverside stretches until you walk into the heart of Maidstone, Kent’s county town.
This section is lovely, easy to walk and still not as busy as the next section from Maidstone.
Section 3: Maidstone to Rochester (Approx. 15.2 km)
- Start: Maidstone
- End: Rochester Castle, Rochester
Leaving Maidstone, the path continues along the river, passing by Allington Lock and then Aylesford with medieval bridge and pretty village houses. The route then heads through the Medway Gap, with views of chalk hills, and finally reaches historic Rochester, finishing near the impressive Rochester Castle and Cathedral.
The section between Maidstone and Allington Lock is usually very busy as it’s a favourite path to take a stroll from Maidstone. During the main season (and at the weekend), you can even take a boat from Maidstone to the locks (and back).
The last part of the walk from Aylesford will take you slightly away from the river and when you reach Wouldham the official path climbs up to the valley and then takes you to Rochester.
Alternative public right of way is around the Wouldham marches. This path follows the river until you reach Rochester bridge and you can then explore Rochester without climbing up the hill.
What can you see along the Medway Valley Path
Tonbridge & Tonbridge Castle
Tonbridge is a historic market town which was first mentioned in the Domesday Book as “Tonebriga,”. The town grew around its Norman castle and part of it, mainly the 13th century gatehouse, which is considered the most impressive in the country, you can still visit today. You can find here pretty historic houses, busy high street and riverside park with a miniature railway.
East Peckham
East Peckham is a rural village and the first one after about 10-12 km from Tonbridge. It was once at the heart of Kent’s hop-growing industry.
The first speeding fine in the world was also issued here on January 28, 1896. Walter Arnold was caught driving his Benz motor car at 8 mph—four times the legal speed limit of 2 mph at the time. He was chased down by a policeman on a bicycle and subsequently fined one shilling plus costs for his offense, making this a historic moment in motoring history as the world’s first recorded speeding ticket.
Yalding Hampstead Marina
The Yalding Hampstead Marina, has safe and secure mooring for up to 160 boats and it’s lovely to see the boats as you walk by. There is a restaurant and a cafe for refreshments and the stretch of the road next to the canal is suitable for street parking, if you want to walk just a section of the trail.
Yalding Village
Yalding is slightly away from the trail, but it’s worth the detour if you have the time. It is a lovely little village built where the Rivers Medway, Beult, and Teise meet. The village history goes back to the Saxon period, including its name, which comes from the Old English for “people of Ealda.”
The village has a beautiful medieval bridge, which is the longest of its kind in Kent and there are historic buildings, riverside scenery, and surrounding orchards and hop gardens.
East Farleigh & West Farleigh
East Farleigh is another pretty village with historic medieval bridge. There is also Grade II listed parish church of Saint Mary the Virgin, originally built by the Normans in the late 11th century.
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent and the largest town on the Medway Valley Walk. Maidstone was once an important centre for the paper-making industry, and in the 18th century, the world’s first machine-made paper was produced here at Turkey Mill.
You can visit the impressive Maidstone Museum which you can find in a charming Elizabethan manor house, and enjoy the beautiful riverside setting of Mote Park, one of the largest public parks in the Southeast. There is also a historic Archbishop’s Palace, the lively Lockmeadow Entertainment Complex. Maidstone’s busy town centre has plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Allington Lock
Allington Lock is important because it marks the spot on the River Medway where the river changes from non-tidal to tidal. Originally built in the 1790s and later enlarged in 1881, the present structure dates from 1939 and is managed by the Environment Agency.
The lock plays an essential role in river navigation, enabling boats to travel between Maidstone and the Medway estuary, and is operational for about five hours around high tide.
You will also find a cafe and riverside restaurant there and you can watch the boats on the Medway.
Kent Life Museum
Kent Life is open-air heritage farm and museum set within 28 acres of beautiful countryside along the River Medway. This family-friendly attraction brings Kent’s rural history to life and you can see here farm animals, restored historic village buildings, and take part in hands-on activities. There are tractor rides, a land train, and both indoor and outdoor play areas for children.
Aylesford Village & Aylesford Priory
Aylesford is another lovely historic village with medieval bridge, 13th-century parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul and charming riverside setting. Just outside the village you can find the Carmelite Friary originally founded in 1240, where you can visit the church and gardens. There are a couple of cafes on site as well as regular farmer’s markets on Sundays.
Snodland
The walk passes through a site of Roman villa as you approach the town. If you cross the river you can make a little detour to visit the small town of Snodland and explore it’s connection to the paper and cement industries, which fuelled its expansion during the Victorian time.
Wouldham Marches
Wouldham Marshes are large area of low-lying, seasonally flooded grazing marshland situated along the eastern bank of the River Medway, near the village of Wouldham. The area has open pasture, drainage ditches, and reed beds and creates an important habitat for both breeding and overwintering birds. It’s very peaceful here and you get some amazing views across the river and the land.
Rochester
There are so many thing you can see and do in Rochester as it’s a lovely historic town with imposing Norman Rochester Castle and the magnificent cathedral—England’s second oldest. The town’s charming cobbled High Street is lined with period buildings, independent shops, and traditional pubs, and it has strong associations with Charles Dickens, who lived nearby and featured Rochester in many of his novels. You can learn more about Rochester colourful history in the local Guildhall Museum.
How to get to the Medway Valley Path by public transport (and by car)
From London:
- By Train:
Direct trains to Tonbridge run frequently from London Charing Cross, London Bridge, and London Cannon Street, operated by Southeastern. The journey takes about 35-45 minutes. Trains also run from London Victoria (with a change at Redhill or Sevenoaks in some cases) - By Bus:
Although less direct, you can take National Express or local buses, but this is slower and usually requires a change en route. - By Car:
Take the A21 southbound from London, following signs for Sevenoaks and then Tonbridge. The journey is about 27 miles (43 km) and typically takes around an hour, depending on traffic
From elsewhere in Kent:
- By Train:
Tonbridge is well-connected by train to other Kent towns such as Maidstone, Ashford, and Tunbridge Wells. Southeastern trains serve these routes, with frequent services and journey times typically under an hour. - By Bus:
Local bus services connect Tonbridge with nearby towns and villages, including Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, and Paddock Wood. - By Car:
Tonbridge is accessible via the A21, A26, and A228, making it easy to reach from other parts of Kent by road.
Tonbridge railway station is centrally located within easy walking distance to the centre of the town and the start of the Medway Valley Walk.
Alternative Access Train Stations:
The Medway Valley Walk is well-served by train stations along or near its route. The main train stations accessible from the path are:
- Tonbridge
- Yalding
- Wateringbury
- East Farleigh
- Maidstone West
- Maidstone Barracks
- Aylesford
- New Hythe
- Snodland
- Halling
- Cuxton
- Strood
- Rochester
This blog post was originally published on 22 July 2025 and last updated on 22 July 2025
