Public Rights of Way

Medway has nearly 186 miles (300km) of Public Rights of Way, many of which offer a chance to explore some of the beautiful countryside that exists in Medway. This includes areas such as the chalk downland at Ranscombe Farm near Cuxton, the marshes at Cliffe on the Hoo Peninsula and the riverside walks at Upnor and Hoo. For those who wish to go beyond Medway, two major trails, The North Downs Way and The Saxon Shore Way, also pass through Medway.

To find out where the paths are, simply visit any Medway library, where copies of the council’s Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way can be viewed during normal library hours. Alternatively, the map can be viewed at the council’s offices at the Compass Centre, Chatham Maritime, by making an appointment to see a Public Rights of Way Officer.

The network is also marked on the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger and Explorer maps for the area, available at most bookshops.

To help people make the most of the network, Medway Council has produced three walk booklets:

• Circular Walks at Cuxton and Halling.
• Circular Walks on the Hoo Peninsula.
• Walking the Saxon Shore Way Through Medway.

All the circular walk publications are currently only available from the Visitors Centre. Walking the Saxon Shore Way is available from the Civic Centre, Compass Centre, Capstone Farm Country Park, Riverside Country Park.

Public Rights of Way have the following designations:

• Footpath: over which the right of way is on foot only.
• Bridleway: over which the right of way is on foot, horseback and bicycle, though cyclists must give way to other users.
• Byway: over which the right of way is on foot, horseback, bicycle and vehicular traffic.
• A road used as a public path (RUPP): these are currently undergoing reclassification.

Medway Council also undertakes work to clear overgrown vegetation from rights of way and in partnership with landowners, carries out repair work to stiles, gates and small bridges. The council looks at surface conditions and carries out repair work, though it must be understood that due to their nature and location, many paths will be of a relatively rough nature.

The council deals with blocked of rights of way and tries to keep them as clear as possible.

If you would like to make an enquiry or to report a problem with any public right of way, please contact Customer Services at the address below or complete the online form.

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