A fab itinerary for a Nu-Venture adventure to the Medway!
A terrific treat through the Garden of EnglandBreakfast at The Hungry Guest in West Malling
Enjoy a hearty pre-bus breakfast with fresh, high quality local produce and fabulous service. It’s at 65 High Street, a few minutes away from the bus stop at the railway station, where your journey will begin, with a friendly welcome from your New-Venture driver on the 151 bus!
The Hungry Guest in West MallingBoard the Nu-Venture 151 bus at West Malling Railway Station
It’s a scenic journey with Nu-Venture, navigating classic Kentish countryside of charming villages, tree-lined roads and lush green meadows, through lovely Leybourne.
Alight the bus at Snodland Co-Op and enjoy the delights of this great place!
Enjoy a walk down the High Street to Leybourne Lakes County Park, which is a peaceful lakeside area with short paths and scenic views of water and wildlife. There’s time for a brief stroll before returning to the bus stop.
Back on the 151 bus at Snodland Co-Op
The tempo of the journey and sense of anticipation increases as the bus stops at charming Cuxton and then Rochester gets closer and the views from the window are fab as it crosses the majestic Medway Bridge.
Alight the bus at Rochester Railway Station
Walk the High Street to admire Dickensian buildings, boutiques, and cafés. Visit Rochester Cathedral for Norman architecture and a peaceful pause. Climb to Rochester Castle for sweeping views over the Medway. This really is a place where there’s a sense of heritage and blissful ambience! Wander the riverside promenade, watch boats drift by, and grab a quick pint or cream tea before exploring the cobbled side streets and small museums linked to Charles Dickens’ life and novels nearby.
Lunch at The Quills
This is a great lunch spot and is a highly-rated, stylish eatery on the High Street serving modern British and European dishes, perfect for a relaxed midday meal with good flavours and friendly service. It’s ideal after exploring Rochester’s historic centre and castle.
Lunch at The Quills
Back on the 151 bus at Rochester Railway Station
It’s a short bus fascinating ride to Chatham where more historical and modern-day delights await on this Medway adventure.
The Chatham chat tells us buses are brilliant for some Medway magic!Arrive at Chatham Waterfront
Explore the Historic Dockyard, with its warships, submarines and maritime museums. Walk along the Great Lines for views and green space, then head into the town centre or riverside for a quick coffee, shops, or a relaxed Medway stroll.
Back on the bus to return to West Malling
It’s been an action-packed day and there’s time to relax on a languid but enjoyable journey back through blissful countryside to West Malling, arriving back at 18:34.
Great places to visit if you are planning a longer trip!
Bluewater Shopping Centre is one of the UK’s largest retail and leisure destinations, with around 300 stores, cafés, restaurants, and a cinema set in landscaped parkland. It’s great for shopping, eating, relaxing, and family fun.
From Rochester, take the Arriva 700 bus to Bluewater from stops like Priory Road or Rochester Railway Station; the journey takes about 30–40 minutes and it only costs £3 each way!
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Planet Ice Gillingham is a year-round ice skating and hockey rink in Gillingham Business Park. It offers public skating sessions, lessons, and is home to the Invicta Dynamos ice hockey team, so you can watch lively hockey or skate yourself.
To get there from Chatham by bus, you can take local routes (e.g., 132, 124) toward Gillingham and alight near Eastcourt Lane or stops close to the business park, then walk a few minutes to the rink. Arriva’s 700 service runs from Chatham Waterfront Bus Station.
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The Cascade in West Malling is a charming historic ornamental waterfall feature on Swan Street. Built around 1810 using medieval abbey stone, it combines architectural interest with tranquil flowing water near the site of St. Mary’s Abbey. This picturesque spot has inspired artists and remains a lovely photo opportunity and peaceful place to pause while exploring the town’s heritage and streetscape.
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