Encounters with Nature: Saxon Shore Way, Dover to Folkestone (11/07/20)

The Saxon Shore Way long distance footpath extends for 163 miles around the Kent & East Sussex coastline from Gravesend to Hastings. It follows a line of defensive forts built by the Romans during the 3rd Century AD to provide protection against an increasing threat of attack by marauding Saxons. The section I walked along on Saturday is regarded as one of the most scenic with some outstanding sea cliff scenery & good views across the English Channel to the French coast. It also bears considerable historic interest especially in the vicinity of Dover but there are the remains of many defensive structures relating to WW II along the whole route to Folkestone. The proximity to France & the characteristic of this being a 'pinch point in the seas between Britain & continental Europe means that it is a particularly good location to spot interesting migratory birds, insects & sea mammals. There is a wide variety of wild flowers along the route, especially orchids, which thrive on the calcareous soils. The length of this section of the Saxon Shore Way is just under 6 miles.

View looking back towards Dover from near the summit of Shakespeare Cliff approximately one mile from the start of the walk.

Samphire Hoe. This promontory below the cliffs was created using spoil from the construction of the Channel Tunnel. It is now a designated country park & nature reserve which attracts some interesting birds during the spring & autumn migration. The Channel Tunnel leaves the English coast not far from here.

One of the interesting wartime structures dotted along the cliffs is this acoustic mirror which was used before the days of radar. It worked by focusing & augmenting the sounds of approaching enemy aircraft so they could be more easily heard & so , alert observation personnel on the ground.