Marvellous Medway magic on the 151 bus from West Malling

Your day, hour by hour

Built around the 151 Chatham – Rochester – Strood – Cuxton – Halling – Snodland – West Malling – Kings Hill, bus times shown are from the registered timetable; check live times before you set out.

1. 09:15
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   Coffee and a curious wander in West Malling

   Start with a proper Kentish morning in West Malling, a handsome market town of Georgian frontages, independent boutiques and inviting coffee shops along the High Street. Pick up a flat white and a pastry, peek at the medieval St Mary's Abbey gatehouse, and enjoy the unhurried village bustle before your bus.

   

2. 11:20
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   151live times →

   Board the 151 at High Street, West Malling

   Make your way to the High Street stop in West Malling and hop aboard the 151, one of the Medway's most useful scenic services. The route threads north through Kentish villages and along the River Medway all the way to the Chatham waterfront – a lovely way to arrive.

3. 12:08
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   Riverside stroll along Rochester Esplanade

   Hop off briefly at Rochester Railway Station and stroll down to the Esplanade. The Medway sweeps past in a broad, glittering curve, with the honey-stone bulk of Rochester Castle looming above and the cathedral spire beyond. It's one of the finest urban river walks in the south east.

4. 12:08
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   Explore Rochester Castle

   Climb the great Norman keep of Rochester Castle, one of the tallest and best preserved in England. The views from the top over the Medway, the cathedral and the rooftops of the old city are unforgettable. Wander the surrounding castle gardens for a picnic-perfect green space right in the heart of town.

   

5. 12:45
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   Rochester Cathedral and the High Street

   Step across to Rochester Cathedral, England's second oldest, with its beautiful Romanesque nave and centuries of pilgrim history. Then amble along the wonderfully Dickensian Rochester High Street, past timber-framed shopfronts, antique emporia, sweet shops and characterful cafés that Charles Dickens himself would recognise.

   

6. 13:15
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   Lunch in Rochester's independent quarter

   Take your pick from Rochester's array of independent lunch spots along and just off the High Street: a leisurely bistro plate, a Kentish ploughman's in a historic pub, or something lighter in one of the tea rooms tucked into the old buildings. Save a little room for a sweet treat from one of the town's famous chocolatiers.

7. 14:30
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   Cross to Chatham along the Medway

   You can hop back on the 151 for a couple of stops, or enjoy the gentle walk across from Rochester to Chatham along the riverside path. Watch the boats bob on the tideway and admire the sweeping bridges linking the twin towns of the Medway.

8. 15:00
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   The Historic Dockyard Chatham

   Spend an unforgettable couple of hours at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, a vast maritime treasure trove where you can clamber aboard historic warships and a Cold War submarine, explore the atmospheric ropery and lose yourself in centuries of naval history. It's one of the finest days out in Kent, all in one place.

   

9. 17:15
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   Waterfront wander in Chatham

   Back at the Chatham waterfront, take a gentle stroll along the quays and marina. The old Sun Pier, the modern developments and the wide Medway views make a lovely late-afternoon backdrop. Grab a cuppa or an ice cream and watch the river go by.

10. 17:30
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    151live times →

    Board the 151 back at Waterfront Bus Station

    Return to the Waterfront Bus Station in Chatham and board the 151 for a scenic run back through the Medway villages. The route calls at Chatham Railway Station, Rochester Railway Station, The White Hart and Halling Railway Station, retracing the river all the way home.

11. 18:21
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    151live times →

    Alight at West Malling Railway Station

    Step off at West Malling Railway Station as the evening settles over Kent. It's a short walk back into the village, where a well-earned supper in one of West Malling's excellent restaurants or gastropubs rounds off a marvellous Medway day out.