Ham Street Woods and Royal Military Canal Walk
Kent
Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve is a 250 hectare patch of ancient woodland on the edge of Romney Marsh, famous for its butterflies and quiet shaded rides. This dog friendly route loops through the reserve before dropping onto the Royal Military Canal, a flat Napoleonic-era waterway that runs all the way to Hythe with reliable level paths.
The terrain is overwhelmingly easy: stile-free woodland tracks through the NNR followed by a hard surfaced flat towpath beside the canal, ideal for older dogs and tired humans alike. Dogs are welcome throughout, with sensible lead use near other walkers, anglers and the few stretches where cattle graze the canal banks. The small Ham Street Woods car park can fill quickly and gets muddy, so arrive early and use TN26 2HP near the Ruckinge Road junction.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Canal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- None on the route itself. Pubs and a village shop in Hamstreet a short walk from the wood car park.
- Parking
- Small free car park at Ham Street Woods on Bourne Lane (TN26 2HP). Limited spaces and can be muddy after rain.
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