Out and About – Newington Trail (World War One Defences
By Theresa & Richard Emmett and Thelma & Graham Dudley
Where is it?
The trail starts opposite the children’s play area in Bull Lane, Newington, ME9 7NA
Map reference TQ 856 645.
What is physically there?
The trail shows how to read a landscape for clues to its military past. From 1914 to 1918, Newington was at the heart of a sophisticated military defence line against a potential German invasion. The walk takes you through the defences, leading you to four information boards that enable you to visualise the trenches, gun emplacements and observation posts that helped protect Britain.
The trail is 2.77 miles long and takes about 90 minutes.
The trail directions are available to download on the History Group website.
Newington History Group has created information boards that help visitors read the modern-day landscape for the clues that reveal its past into World War One.
The boards were launched at an event on 22nd August after years of research by project lead Graham Dudley, with Alan Anstee and Dean Coles. For more information, check out their website.
Additional Newington Heritage Walks.
This is one of a number of walks exploring the history and heritage of Newington. All are available as downloads on their website.
Other walks include:
- 2,000 years of history – Walk in the footsteps of
Julius Caesar, see the remains of a Roman town and the site of World War I trenches and visit a fine
14th century church. - Walk in the steps of Caesar – The walk climbs a small hill reputed to have been used as an encampment by Julius Caesar and
which overlooks former WWI defences, and gives lovely views over ancient settlements and to the Medway estuary. - A walk of worship – A return rural walk between one of Kent’s most interesting medieval churches and the remains of a
2,000 year old Romano-British temple.
Why Visit?.
Learn more about the history of Newington and its involvement in World War One, and enjoy a talk through the countryside.
Let us know what you think when you visit: Contact us
More Out and About
For more places to visit Click Here.