We are a friendly group and you're very welcome to join us, step this way ... !

Hello and welcome, my name is Chris Weller and I am the East Kent group coordinator for GOC, assisted by David White.

We hope that you will join us in enjoying this wonderful part of the country.

East Kent

With coast around three sides we have a variety of coastal walks including the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, but that's not all because inland we have the rolling North Downs and areas like the wilderness of the Romney Marshes. Not forgetting that Kent is The Garden of England so we have orchards and hop fields with pathways through and oast houses to pass near-by. Our location has also given us many castles and other historic places.

Our walks

We generally walk on the last Sunday of each month, starting at 10:30 with a typical distance of 8 to 10 miles, but there are exceptions so please check individual events for details. A typical walk will have about a dozen people but that depends on things like the weather!

For most walks, you should bring food for lunch and adequate drinks - we try to stop for a drink at a pub at lunchtime or the end of a walk, which will be indicated in the walk details.

We try to make most of our walks accessible by train, but where that's not possible you can post on the event discussion as our members are usually happy to collect people from a nearby station.

The social aspect is important on our walks, and we sometimes organise other social events.

What to bring

The right equipment will make your walk much more comfortable and enjoyable, it doesn't need to be expensive but should be designed for country walking. A pair of walking boots with a grippy sole will make the miles easier, especially if it has been raining. A pair of walking trousers are important - jeans get very heavy when wet and can get you dangerously cold. So far as the top part is concerned, layers are ideal because you can get quite hot uphill and then cold at the top.

A proper rucksack which balances the load will prevent any back issues, and finally don't forget to put your packed lunch in it! A day outdoors, even if there is light cloud, can expose you to a lot of sunlight so a hat and sunscreen are important.