Faversham has been chosen by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) as having some of the most interesting and diverse geography to explore in the UK.

The town features as part of a project and website - Discovering Britainhttp://www.discoveringbritain.org. - which aims to explain the stories behind the UK's built and natural landscapes through a series of self-led geographical walks.

The walk looks at Faversham's justifiable claim to be ‘the town that built Britain', focusing on how early settlers utilised the navigable creek to develop industry and trade. Faversham Creek was perfectly placed with easy access to Europe and London close by encouraging industries like boat building, brewing, brickmaking and even gunpowder manufacturing.

Walkers will discover many local stories as they walk through the grand Victorian station to the medieval centre of the town before visiting its post-industrial edge lands to encounter the bleak beauty of Kent marshes immortalised in Dickens'Great Expectations.

RGS-IBG Director, Dr Rita Gardner, says: "Faversham boasts one of the best-preserved medieval streets in England, the country's oldest brewery and played a big role in helping win the Battle of Trafalgar. This walk gives you a geographical perspective on the changing fortunes of the town's industries and connections with the wider world.

"We hope that people from across the UK will explore the fabulously diverse geography that is on all our doorsteps. Faversham has this in abundance."

Commenting on the project Michael Palin, Immediate Past President of the Society, said:

"All too often we forget that travel doesn't have to include trains and boats and planes. As Discovering Britain shows, some of the world's most varied, spectacular and accessible landscape is only a strong pair of boots away.

"Discovering Britain brings our country to life, beneath your feet."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The walk through Faversham - ‘Boats, Bangs, Bricks and Beer' - is a self-guided walk that starts at Faversham Railway Station and ends at the Bull Inn, Tanners Street. It's 4 miles long and family friendly.http://www.discoveringbritain.org/walks/region/south-east-england/faversham.html#tabboxIt's free to download at where you'll find a map and audio commentary to accompany you on your journey.
    
   

2. For further information and photos, please contact Alex Jackson, Media and Communications Officer on 020 7591 3019 or emailpress@rgs.org
    
   

3. Discovering Britain (www.discoveringbritain.org) is an exciting website featuring a series of self-led geographical walks that helps explain the stories behind the UK's built and natural landscapes. Each walk explores a particular landscape, finding out about the way in which the forces of nature, people, events and the economy have created and shaped the area.The Society's Discovering Britain website is constantly evolving and aims to bring our islands' geography and history alive.
    
   

4. The Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography - the subject that helps us understand people, places and environments. We would like everyone to have a better understanding of our complex and changing world. Formed in 1830, the Society exists to advance geography. Today, the Society does this by supporting and promoting geography in school, at university, in fieldwork and expeditions, and by enthusing and engaging public audiences through talks, discussions, exhibitions and online. The Society's large geographical collection of maps, images and manuscripts is also open to the public.www.rgs.org