As it’s the season to be merry, why not stop off at a pub or hotel for a drink or bite to eat during a festive ramble? Here’s our top five winter walks with watering holes.

Stour Valley, near Canterbury
One of 13 areas of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Beauty, Stour Valley follows the path of the River Stour from Brook to Chartham, and has panoramic views. The perfect pitstop on your walk is the Compasses Inn at Crundale, a traditional country pub, ideal for a pint of fine Kentish ale, a relaxed lunch or a special evening meal.
thecompassescrundale.co.uk

White Cliffs, Dover
Take a bracing stroll across the iconic chalk cliffs with a walk along the coastal path to Kingsdown, near Deal, which is also home to traditional seaside pub the Zetland Arms. Wrap up warm and sit outside on the beach front benches or snuggle up inside by the open fire in the cosy bar and restaurant. The pub is also dog-friendly.
shepherdneame.co.uk

Botany Bay, Kingsgate

A hidden gem on the outskirts of Broadstairs, Botany Bay has more than 200 metres of sandy beach surrounded by stunning cliffs. Just a short stroll away is the Botany Bay Hotel on the magnificent clifftop at Kingsgate. The hotel, which has just undergone a £1.4 million refurbishment, has a welcoming lounge where you can enjoy a drink and also has an á la carte restaurant, with sea views.
botanybayhotel.co.uk

Oare Marshes Nature Reserve
Managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust, the reserve is a wildlife haven on the outskirts of Faversham and has 170 acres of mudflats and marshes. Fit in a visit to the Three Mariners pub, a Grade II listed building which has an open fire, in the village of Oare, offering food from á la carte to a hearty set menu.
thethreemarinersoare.co.uk

Dungeness, Romney Marsh
Explore the dramatic landscape with its shingle beach jutting into the Channel, and home to the RSPB Reserve and Visitor Centre, it is also home to the Britannia Inn. Sitting between Dungeness’s two lighthouses, the pub is renowned for its home cooked food, with seafood a speciality. There’s also a roaring fire.
shepherdneame.co.uk

To find more wintry walks across Kent click here