Directions - route runs anti-clockwise:
SSW - Saxon Shore Way | EVW - Elham Valley Way | NDW - North Downs Way | ECP - England Coast Path | FP - Footpath | TR - Turn right | KG - Kissing Gate | TL - Turn left
1. Begin the walk at Portland Road car park. Leave by the ‘no entry’ exit and cross the road taking the path between the Royal Military Canal on your right and building on your left to Dymchurch Road. Cross Dymchurch Road by the pedestrian crossing, TL and then after a few yards TR down the path alongside the canal. This area is known as Holman’s Field and you will pass the information plaque to John Charles Holman.
2. At the end of the path, when you reach Scanlon’s Bridge Road, cross the road towards the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, TR, go over the bridge and TL into Green Lane.
3. A short distance on, when you reach the small car park on your left, you can take either the high-level towpath or the low-level path. The towpath tends to be muddy in wet weather but gives a better view of the canal with its abundant wildlife.
4. On the lower path, just after the 1 and 7/8 miles marker, look up to your right, at the top of the hill you will see one of the famous WWII sound mirrors. Shortly after the bridge, there is a track that goes up to the sound mirror, if you wish to explore further. (Please see map) Continue until you reach the road. TL onto the road, cross the bridge over the canal, TL and then immediately right down the FP. If you need refreshment, there is a cafe/bar called Unit 1 on your left.
5. Follow the path around the left-hand edge of the field until you reach a bridge over a ditch. Cross the bridge and turn half-left across another field. As you cross the bridge look back up the hill for a good view of Lympne Castle and Lympne Church.
6. As you reach the far corner of the field, pass through the KG and cross the main, Burmarsh, road. Go over the stile, onto the FP. Keep to the RHS of the field then cross the bridge and TL keeping the ditch on your left. Continue straight, joining a tarmacked path, cross the bridge and TR keeping to the tarmacked path. Follow the end of path round to the left onto the England Coast Path. TL into Kingfisher Gardens and, at the junction, TR into Kingfisher Avenue, continuing on the England Coast Path.
7. Keep to the road until you reach the main Burmarsh Road. TR along the pavement until you see a grey bridge over the canal. Cross the road and you will find an explanatory panel for the Sound Mirrors and a mock -up for you to practise on. Do not cross the bridge but continue along the canal path with the canal on your left.
8. When you reach the end of the path by the RHDR, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and enter Holman's Field.
9. Follow the path, with the canal to your left, passing the plaque to John Charles Holman. At the end of the path turn left into Dymchurch Road and after a few yards cross the road at the pedestrian crossing. Take the path between the building on your right and the canal on your left. Where the path meets Portland Road, cross the road and arrive at the starting point car park.