The first steps of an epic journey
Welcome to the beginning of the John Merrill Way – Stage One, from London to Bournemouth. This segment marks the true commencement of a 7,000-mile coastal odyssey around Britain. It's where the boots met the road, the pack became a part of me, and the rhythm of daily walking took hold. Prepare to be inspired by the start of a unique adventure.
Finding my stride: London to the coast
The journey from London to Bournemouth was truly unique and memorable, primarily because it was the starting point. It was all about getting accustomed to wearing the boots day in and day out, and the significant challenge of carrying a 50-60lb pack on my back. This stage set the precedent for the physical demands of the entire expedition, teaching me the discipline of walking everyday, regardless of the conditions.
Herne Bay: where the coast truly begins
A particularly interesting highlight of this stage was reaching Herne Bay. This was the moment I truly felt I was on the "coast proper." With the vast expanse of the south coast stretching out before me, a profound sense of accomplishment and anticipation washed over me. It was a tangible marker, signalling the real start of the coastal adventure, with thousands of miles still to explore.
Stage One - London to Bournemouth - 494 miles, allow 3 to 4 weeks.
Embrace the beginning of a unique adventure
When you read about Stage One, I want you to feel the excitement and significance of starting a unique adventure. This isn't just a walk; it's the initiation into a new way of life, a test of endurance, and the unfolding of a remarkable story. The impression I hope to leave is that every grand journey begins with a single, sometimes challenging, but always memorable, first step.
Basic route from London, clockwIse.
STAGE ONE - LONDON TO BOURNEMOUTH - 494 MILES.
BASIC ROUTE -
1. Paul’s Cathedral - Mansion House — Tower Bridge —Southwark Park — Greenwich Park — Greenwich — Eltham Common — Welling — Bexley — Crayford — Dartford — Stone — Swanscombe — Northfleet — Gravesend - 30 miles/30 miles.
2. Gravesend — River Thames — Cliffe Marshes — Halston Marshes — St Mary’s Marshes — Avery Farm — All Hallows - Lower Stoke —Stoke— North Street - Hoo— Findsbury — Strood - 30 miles/60 miles.
3. Wainscott — Strood — Rochester — Grange — Lower Rainham — Otterham Quay — Upchurch — Lower Halstow — wade — Grovehurst — Sittingbourne — Tonge Blacketts — Conyer — Jarman’s boatyard - 26 miles/86 miles.
4. Conyer — South Deep — Oare — Faversham — Nagden — Cleve Marshes — Seasalter — Whitstable — Swalecliffe - Herne Bay - 25 miles/111 miles
5. Herne Bay — Reculver — Birchington — Westgate on Sea — Margate — North Foreland — Broadstairs — Ramsgate — Pegwell Bay - 25 miles/136 miles.
6. Pegwell Bay — Sandwich — Sand
wich Bay — Deal — Walmer — Oldstairs Bay — St Margaret’s Bay — Dover
- 25 mild/161 miles.
7. Dover — Shakespeare Cliff— Folkestone - Hythe - Dymchurch —St Mary’s Bay - 24 mils/185 miles
8. St Mary’s Bay — Littlestone-on-Sea — Greatstone-on-Sea — Lydd-on-Sea — Lydd — The Forelands — Broomhill Sands — Camber — River Rother — Rye — Camber Castle — Winchelsea Beach - 25 miles/210 miles
.9. Winchelsea Beach — Cliff End — Fairlight Cove — Covehurst Bay — Hastings — West Marina — Bexhill — Norman’s Bay — Pevensey Bay — Langney Point Eastbourne — Wish Tower — Latham House Hotel
- 32 miles/212 miles.
10. Eastbourne — Beachy Head = Seven Sisters — Exceat Bridge — Seaford — Newhaven — Peacehaven — Saltdean — Rottingdean — Brighton - 31 miles/273 miles.
11. Brighton — Hove — Shoreham - South Lancing — Worthing — Goring-by-Sea — Angmering-on-Sea — Littlehampton —
Middleton-on-Sea - 29 miles/302 miles.
12. Middleton-on-Sea — Bognor Regis — Pagham — Pagham Harbour — Church Norton — Selsey Bill — Bracklesham Bay — East Wittering — West Wittering
- 26 miles/328 mlles..
13. West Wittering — West Itchenor — Chichester Yacht Basin — Dell Quay — Fishbourne — Bosham — Nutbourne — Prinsted — Hermitage — Warblington Castle Langstone - 22 miles/350 miles.
14. Langstone — Farlington Marshes — Portsea Island —
Portsmouth — Landport — Stamshaw — Cosham — Portchester — Fareham — Brockhurst — Gosport — Alverstoke - 30 miles/380 miles.
15. Alverstoke — Lee-on-the-Solent — Hill Head — Hook — Warsash — Sarisbury — Bursledon -18 miles/298 miles.
16. Bursledon — Hamble — Netley — [tchen Bridge — Southampton — Totton — Fling — Marchwood
- 21 miles/419 miles.
17. Marchwood — Hythe — Hardley — Fawley — Ower — Lepe -Exbury — Otterwood — Beaulieu
- 22 miles/441 miles.
18. Hilltop — Beaulieu — Bucklers Hard — St Leonards Grange —Lisle Court - Lymington — Pennington Marshes — Keyhaven — Hurst Bridge — Milford on Sea
- 23 miles/464 miles.
19. Milford on Sea — Barton on Sea — Highcliffe — Mudeford — Christchurch — Hengistbury Head — Southbourne — Boscombe — Bournemouth — Poole Head — Lilliput — Poole — Hamworthy
Upton - 30 miles/494 miles.
