Elham Valley Tourism Group

A tourism meeting was held in the Village Hall on the 12th February 2007 to review progress and to develop new direction in the absence of a chair. It was agreed at this meeting that Martin Bailey and Nigel Wilkinson would now jointly chair the Elham Valley Tourism Group (E.V.T.G).

A clear theme of green tourism based around the history and rural activities has unanimously emerged as the direction of tourism development in the Elham Valley. Walking, cycling and horse riding are mechanisms to reach, enjoy and experience the countryside in a high quality, lower impact way. The Elham Valley has the opportunity to concentrate on developing a green tourism niche product around these more sustainable modes of transport whilst realising that most visitors do however, require some form of mechanised transport to reach their chosen area of countryside before the walking, cycling or other leisure activity can begin. Regular and reliable public transport offers new opportunities such as point-to-point walks as opposed to more traditional circular walks to and from the car.

Who visits the Elham Valley and What is there currently on offer:

Visitor Type

Product Offer

· Countryside activity focused: cyclists, ramblers, casual walkers and horse riders;

· Channel hoppers – 1 night;

· People visiting friends & relatives;

· Leisure events: weddings, festivals;

· cultural/history/church enthusiasts;

· American visitors: ancestry related trips;

· Golfers.

· Countryside (activities and assets): Walking, Cycling, Horse riding, the Elham Valley Way, the Marshes, Flora & Fauna, Elham Valley Railway, Nature Reserve;

· Local Hospitality: friendly, helpful and welcoming;

· Excellent access to the Kent Downs;

· Nearby: Canterbury;

· Rich heritage;

· Atmosphere, tranquillity;

· Vineyard

· Slow pace rural life

· Golf Courses

Facilities Available include:

· Clean, accessible and available public toilets;

· Car parking;

· Catering: including local produce and longer opening hours;

· Evening entertainment;

· Pre and during visit information: including well planned/designed signage;

· Mobile phone signal (although parts of the valley lack service - this might be viewed as welcome!);

· Access to a local cash dispensing (through Post Offices and certain retail outlets);

· Good quality & range of accommodation;

· Easy access to the countryside for different rural pursuits: walking, cycling, riding.

· Preservation of tranquillity.

A follow up meeting, chaired by Martin Bailey and Nigel Wilkinson was held in the Elham Village Hall on the 19th March.

The audit document "Elham Country Breaks for Rural Ways" was distributed along with the "Elham Tourism Report" and the "Tourism South East - Rural Tourism Guidance notes". These were to help form the action plans and give some clear ideas of processes in achieving the broad aims of the E.V.T.G..

ANY feedback and ideas you may have for promoting the Elham Valley and the Businesses within it should be directed to:

For further information on what the Elham Valley has to offer please use the Main Index and Business Directory pages. Details of attractions in and around the Elham Valley can be found using the Nearby Attractions page.

Page last updated 13 /06/2007