Kent Churches Ride & Stride 2026
The Friends of Kent Churches Sponsored Ride & Stride takes place on the second Saturday in September each year. In 2026, the event will take place on Saturday 12th September.
Ride & Stride is a wonderful opportunity to explore Kent’s historic churches and chapels while helping to raise vital funds for their preservation. Participants can choose to walk, cycle, ride, or even act as a church welcomer for the day, visiting as many - or as few - churches as they wish.
Money raised through sponsorship is shared equally between the participant’s nominated church and the Friends of Kent Churches, which provides grants to help maintain and conserve churches and chapels across the county. Since the event began, millions of pounds have been raised to support Kent’s remarkable religious heritage.
The Romney Marsh churches provide a particularly inspiring setting for Ride & Stride, with their peaceful lanes, wide open landscapes, and magnificent medieval buildings. Whether you are discovering a church for the first time or revisiting a familiar favourite, the day offers a chance to enjoy the unique history and beauty of the Marsh.
Many participating churches will be open between 10am and 6pm on the day, often with refreshments and welcome points for visitors. Even if a church is closed, participants can usually record their visit on a sign-in sheet placed outside.
The Ride & Stride sponsored event also takes place in other counties. The Friends Of Kent Churches offer the following advice: Cycling is the most popular way of travelling. Explore Kent has many town maps that may be useful for planning your route. from church to church, but participants can walk, run or use public transport, or even go by car, horse, scooter or canoe – whatever you choose, make it a special fun day for a worthy cause.
The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust warmly encourages supporters, walkers, cyclists, families, and friends to take part. Every mile travelled helps support the ongoing care and conservation of these treasured historic buildings for future generations.
Further information, sponsorship forms, and details of participating churches can be found on the Friends of Kent Churches Ride & Stride website.
Share your progress during the day on social media, tagging the Facebook, Twitteror Instagram accounts to let people know how far you have got and to encourage others. If you’re visiting the Romney Marsh Churches, please tag us too.
A sponsorship form, and a list of participating churches will soon be available to download from the event organiser’s website.
We hope you will join us on Saturday 12th September 2026 for another enjoyable and rewarding Ride & Stride across Kent and Romney Marsh.