Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
I walked the full proposed route of the controversial Lower Thames Crossing in Kent — from Claylane Woods all the way through to Thong and down towards Chalk in Kent.
In this investigative Day Tripper UK adventure, I explore the quiet countryside that could soon be transformed by the new estimated £10 billion road and tunnel project. Along the way I discover an eerie abandoned house with its front door wide open (alarm goes off while I’m peeking inside!), view the peaceful village of Thong and discuss how many homes and lives maybe blighted by the scheme.
I check out the entrance to the Skanska ecological works site, then walk through the beautiful idylic hamlet of Thong down to Vigilant Way, and trek across the old Southern Valley Golf Course that National Highways has purchased. I chat with a friendly local dog walker before security rolls up in a truck, questions us about path barriers, and tells me to stop filming on what they claim is private land.
I also meet a local man who describes the emotional impact it has had on him since he has walked through this area all his life and he can't bear the thought of it being taken away from him.
I push on to the end of the golf course and capture stunning aerial drone footage of the former course and the open fields leading down to Chalk. Then I retrace the entire route back through the fields and woods to Claylane Woods, before finishing with a well-earned breakfast at Nell’s Diner.
In the video I share my thoughts on the project, question some of the “greenest road” claims on the National Highways website, and ask: is this the right way forward for Kent and Essex?
What do you think about the Lower Thames Crossing? Should it go ahead? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Please keep comments polite - we may not all agree but we can still be respectful of other people's views. 👇
Timestamps:
• 00:00 Intro & Starting at Claylane Woods
• 03:40 Plans Showing A2 Junction Area
• 06:45 Walking towards Thong & Quiet Village Views
• 08:22 Abandoned House Exploration (Alarm Goes Off!)
• 09:20 Skanska Ecological Site
• 10:13 Some of My Thoughts on the Project
• 13:29 Walking through Thong on Thong Lane
• 15:07 Vigilant Way
• 15:48 Old Golf Course Walk & Local Chat
• 20:01 Talking to Local Dog Walker
• 20:20 Security Confrontation
• 23:17 Drone Footage Over the Route
• 25:00 Full Return Walk & Final Thoughts
• 29:06 Breakfast at Nell’s Diner
If you enjoyed this on-foot investigation, hit LIKE, subscribe to Day Tripper UK for more walking adventures, urban exploration, and hiking and camping videos, please turn on notifications so you never miss an upload!
Lower Thames Crossing | National Highways | Kent Countryside Walk | Abandoned House Exploration | Drone Footage | Day Tripper UK
#LowerThamesCrossing #KentWalk #Infrastructure #DayTripperUK #AbandonedPlaces #DroneFootage #NationalHighways
instagram.com/lowerthamescrossing?igsh=MWk0cXcxd2s4d3N4dw==
I walked the full proposed route of the controversial Lower Thames Crossing in Kent — from Claylane Woods all the way through to Thong and down towards Chalk in Kent.
In this investigative Day Tripper UK adventure, I explore the quiet countryside that could soon be transformed by the new estimated £10 billion road and tunnel project. Along the way I discover an eerie abandoned house with its front door wide open (alarm goes off while I’m peeking inside!), view the peaceful village of Thong and discuss how many homes and lives maybe blighted by the scheme.
I check out the entrance to the Skanska ecological works site, then walk through the beautiful idylic hamlet of Thong down to Vigilant Way, and trek across the old Southern Valley Golf Course that National Highways has purchased. I chat with a friendly local dog walker before security rolls up in a truck, questions us about path barriers, and tells me to stop filming on what they claim is private land.
I also meet a local man who describes the emotional impact it has had on him since he has walked through this area all his life and he can't bear the thought of it being taken away from him.
I push on to the end of the golf course and capture stunning aerial drone footage of the former course and the open fields leading down to Chalk. Then I retrace the entire route back through the fields and woods to Claylane Woods, before finishing with a well-earned breakfast at Nell’s Diner.
In the video I share my thoughts on the project, question some of the “greenest road” claims on the National Highways website, and ask: is this the right way forward for Kent and Essex?
What do you think about the Lower Thames Crossing? Should it go ahead? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Please keep comments polite - we may not all agree but we can still be respectful of other people's views. 👇
Timestamps:
• 00:00 Intro & Starting at Claylane Woods
• 03:40 Plans Showing A2 Junction Area
• 06:45 Walking towards Thong & Quiet Village Views
• 08:22 Abandoned House Exploration (Alarm Goes Off!)
• 09:20 Skanska Ecological Site
• 10:13 Some of My Thoughts on the Project
• 13:29 Walking through Thong on Thong Lane
• 15:07 Vigilant Way
• 15:48 Old Golf Course Walk & Local Chat
• 20:01 Talking to Local Dog Walker
• 20:20 Security Confrontation
• 23:17 Drone Footage Over the Route
• 25:00 Full Return Walk & Final Thoughts
• 29:06 Breakfast at Nell’s Diner
If you enjoyed this on-foot investigation, hit LIKE, subscribe to Day Tripper UK for more walking adventures, urban exploration, and hiking and camping videos, please turn on notifications so you never miss an upload!
Lower Thames Crossing | National Highways | Kent Countryside Walk | Abandoned House Exploration | Drone Footage | Day Tripper UK
#LowerThamesCrossing #KentWalk #Infrastructure #DayTripperUK #AbandonedPlaces #DroneFootage #NationalHighways
instagram.com/lowerthamescrossing?igsh=MWk0cXcxd2s4d3N4dw==
