Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
This 23.5 mile (38km) long section follows the western shores of the Medway Estuary, from Stoke Marshes (west of the Isle of Grain), through the busy urban ‘Medway towns’ and on to the muddy creeks at Riverside Country Park and Otterham Creek.
The expanse of the Medway Estuary with its extensive saltmarsh and grazing marsh habitat is visible from the remote seawall walk along the Stoke Marshes. Turning inland towards the village of Stoke takes you onto higher ground, with far reaching views over to the Isle of Sheppey bridge and towards the Medway towns.
Once on the coast again, the trail passes an old ‘boat graveyard’ near to Port Werburgh marina with its array of houseboats. Westwards from here, there is a tranquil walk along a unique wooded beach, with the remains of Cockham Fort quietly eroding, before reaching the village of Lower Upnor with its plentiful pubs.
The strategically defensive location of the Medway, on the outer Thames Estuary, contributes to the rich military and maritime history evident along the trail, with many historic forts and castles overlooking the water. As the trail leaves Lower Halstow and heads towards the ‘Medway towns’ of Strood; Rochester: Gillingham and Chatham, the spectacular 16th Century Upnor Castle can be visited; and the Norman Rochester Castle are prominent features on the estuary frontage. These castles and the Royal Historic Dockyards at Chatham are just some of the popular tourist attractions in these towns. Today, the maritime theme continues with the many marinas, quays and boat clubs found throughout the Medway towns.
The trail follows roads through the Medway town, with occasional glimpses and visits to the riverside, such as at Sun Pier in Chatham, and a walk all the way around St Mary’s Island – with spectacular views of the boats and islands in the estuary. Once east of Gillingham, the trail offers views out across the mudflats, which provide food for huge flocks of wintering wader birds, such as grey plover, knot and dunlin and waterfowl such as shelduck and dark-bellied brent geese. These can be viewed along the trail, especially at Riverside Country Park, which also offers a visitor centre and café stop.
This 23.5 mile (38km) long section follows the western shores of the Medway Estuary, from Stoke Marshes (west of the Isle of Grain), through the busy urban ‘Medway towns’ and on to the muddy creeks at Riverside Country Park and Otterham Creek.
The expanse of the Medway Estuary with its extensive saltmarsh and grazing marsh habitat is visible from the remote seawall walk along the Stoke Marshes. Turning inland towards the village of Stoke takes you onto higher ground, with far reaching views over to the Isle of Sheppey bridge and towards the Medway towns.
Once on the coast again, the trail passes an old ‘boat graveyard’ near to Port Werburgh marina with its array of houseboats. Westwards from here, there is a tranquil walk along a unique wooded beach, with the remains of Cockham Fort quietly eroding, before reaching the village of Lower Upnor with its plentiful pubs.
The strategically defensive location of the Medway, on the outer Thames Estuary, contributes to the rich military and maritime history evident along the trail, with many historic forts and castles overlooking the water. As the trail leaves Lower Halstow and heads towards the ‘Medway towns’ of Strood; Rochester: Gillingham and Chatham, the spectacular 16th Century Upnor Castle can be visited; and the Norman Rochester Castle are prominent features on the estuary frontage. These castles and the Royal Historic Dockyards at Chatham are just some of the popular tourist attractions in these towns. Today, the maritime theme continues with the many marinas, quays and boat clubs found throughout the Medway towns.
The trail follows roads through the Medway town, with occasional glimpses and visits to the riverside, such as at Sun Pier in Chatham, and a walk all the way around St Mary’s Island – with spectacular views of the boats and islands in the estuary. Once east of Gillingham, the trail offers views out across the mudflats, which provide food for huge flocks of wintering wader birds, such as grey plover, knot and dunlin and waterfowl such as shelduck and dark-bellied brent geese. These can be viewed along the trail, especially at Riverside Country Park, which also offers a visitor centre and café stop.
