The Bekesbourne bug hunt is a circular route of about 4 miles to the South East of Canterbury. It will take you on a walk around a lovely part of the Garden of England, touring around a number of orchards, including apples, pears and strawberries.
The route was placed starting at the Bekesbourne train station, going in a clockwise circuit, which will take you along the path through the local Animal Park, if your lucky you may get a glimpse of a Rhino or an Elephant. There are 2 additional Caches on the route, which you will pass whilst on the walk, which you can incorporate into the Bug Hunt.
It is a fairly easy walk with a couple of rolling hills but nothing more, under foot is fairly easy going, however a pair of walking boots is recommended as the ground is a bit muddy and uneven in places. Please take care on the path between Snail and Dragonfly, as it is narrow and a bit overgrown with nettles and brambles, though it is still passable.
HISTORY OF BEKESBOURNE
Bekesbourne is a village within the civil parish of Bekesbourne with Patrixbourne, approximately 3 miles south east of the City boundary of Canterbury. The village has a church, St Peters Parish Church which has a Norman doorway, a 13th Century chancel and the first recorded example of brick mathematical tiles.
Bekesbourne is also the home to an Animal Park which is home to many endangered species and the largest breeding gorilla colony in captivity.
Bekesbourne was the site of an aerodrome, built during World War I, and which thrived as the home of the Kent Flying Club until World War II, when it was closed. One large hangar remained. It was severely damaged by and rebuilt after the hurricane of 1987. It was then demolished in 1997 and the site developed with 10 large detached houses. The road on which they are situated was named De Havillands.