Outdooraholics London Hiking & Adventure Travel 25 to 49ish

This is one of our large group hikes - more people, more social, more fun. If this does not appeal please choose one of our standard size hikes

Join us on a hike through the Darent Valley that combines stunning views, plenty of history, a vineyard and an old fashioned surprise with rural charm that time forgot, we truly uncover this area’s hidden wonders. Along the way, we will marvel at ancient landmarks like Otford Palace, trace the footsteps of pilgrims along the North Downs Way, and soak in sweeping views from the North Downs way.

As well as great natural beauty and stunning countryside this hike is a journey through time, uncovering Kent’s rich tapestry of history. We will explore the Roman legacy of the Darent Valley, Saxon heritage and the grandeur of medieval splendor visiting the remains of a Tudor palace that once surpassed Hampton Court in size and grandeur.

The day concludes with a visit to a small family owned vineyard, where we can unwind and sample some of Kent’s finest wines, grown in the heart of “The Garden of England”. The area has been officially designated an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stroll through the charming Otford village with ties to the Romans, royalty and with many historical listed buildings
• See Britain's tiniest Grade II listed building
• Experience Kent’s renowned vineyard culture at a small family-owned vineyard. You can buy a wine flight here as well as enjoy stone baked pizza.
• See Otford Palace - the remains of a derelict medieval palace once larger than Hampton Court - also known as “The lost palace of Henry the VIII”
• Hike along part of the ancient North Downs Way - the 2nd most acclaimed long distance route in South East England
• Walk through the historic Pilgrims Way related to a pre-existing ancient trackway dated back to the stone age

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Our journey begins deep in the heart of the Darent Valley. As we set off, the peaceful rural surroundings unfold, and we soon follow the scenic Darent Valley Path leading us towards the historic village of Otford. Here, we take time to visit some of its fascinating landmarks, including the famous duck pond, said to be Britain’s smallest listed building, and the evocative remains of Otford Palace, a grand Tudor residence with a rich past.

Leaving Otford, we join the iconic North Downs Way, a trail renowned for its natural beauty and historical significance as a major medieval trading route. The path leads us to Otford Mount, where we pause to enjoy spectacular panoramic views across the valley. This spot, marked by a Bronze Age barrow, offers not just breathtaking scenery but also a tangible connection to the area’s ancient past.

From Otford Mount, we continue toward the tranquil expanse of Kemsing Down nature reserve. This chalk grassland is home to diverse flora and fauna, making it a delightful stretch of the hike. We pass by Otford Manor, perched high above the valley, offering more splendid views and a serene atmosphere.The trail then guides us through lush woodlands and open fields, eventually returning us to Shoreham. We enjoy lunch at a well hidden and time forgotten pub, dating back nearly 500 years, not much has changed inside this unique and charming pub since the 1960s.

Our adventure concludes with a visit to a small family-owned vineyard where we can relax and sample locally produced wines (optional extra cost). With its picturesque setting and some lovely local Kentish wines, the vineyard provides the perfect end to a day of exploration and enjoyment in Kent’s hidden valleys. They also have a boutique shop with many charming and locally produced gifts.

MEETING POINT

Come and join us for what is our most popular day hike and the most exhilarating coastal hike in the South East of England, with breathtaking views of the striking and dramatic white cliffs. A good proportion of the hike is up high on the cliffs as they loom down over the sea beneath. We're off to Sussex to hike the classic Seven Sisters hike from Seaford to Eastbourne, a hike Outdooraholics have been organising for nearly 11 years and have had over 130 wonderful trips here. It is epic!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike one of the most spectacular coastal hikes in England
• A great physical challenge with several easy options to shorten if needed
• Enjoy amazing views over the coastline for much of this hike
• Finish in Eastbourne - England's sunniest town
• Explore the South Downs National Park - the newest in the UK

HIKE DESCRIPTION

This hike treats us with many iconic views and fresh sea air high up on the cliffs. The Seven Sisters are a series of white chalk cliffs and are set within the Seven Sisters Country Park. They are remnants of dry valleys in the South Downs and were formed at the end of the last Ice Age by glacial meltwater. There are in fact now eight sisters as an extra one has been created by coastal erosion.

Our hike starts in the coastal town of Seaford which is home to a Martello Tower from 1810 which formed part of a string of 103 towers to defend against French invasion in Napoleonic times. It then follows the cliffs along the South Downs way past Birling Gap and the Belle Tout lighthouse. The lighthouse was actually moved 17 metres in 1999 to stop it from falling victim to coastal erosion. Our hike shall then take us on to the beauty spot of Beachy Head which has a more sinister side, before we head to Eastbourne for some refreshments in a delightful pub.

MEETING POINT

This is a ONE OFF hike for 2025 - the only date we're running this

This hike features some beautiful trails through lovely scenery, but it doesn’t offer the dramatic, breathtaking views found on some of our other routes. If you're seeking something more striking, this might not be the right fit. However, if you're drawn to exploring a charming part of the Surrey Hills, with some pretty instead of stunning trails read on...

Join us for an enchanting hike through the gorgeous heathland landscapes of the Devil's Punch Bowl. This adventure showcases the best of the Surrey Heathlands, as we enjoy panoramic views, traverse lush woods and explore legendary sites.

We’ll be treated to some sweeping views across undulating hills and vibrant heathland. The area is known for its unusual sand-based terrain, creating a striking contrast of textures as we hike through open heath and ancient woodlands.

The route takes us through the iconic Devil's Punch Bowl, a large hollow of dry sandy heath steeped in folklore. Along the way, we’ll uncover the tales of highwaymen at Gibbet Hill and the tragic murder at the Sailor’s Stone, as well as marvel at the striking views from some of Surrey’s highest points. We’ll walk in the footsteps of writers like Charles Dickens and Bram Stoker and traverse tranquil woodland and heathland paths.

HIGHLIGHTS

This is one of our large group hikes - more people, more social, more fun. If a large group hike does not appeal please pick one of our standard size hikes

Join us for this delightful linear coastal walk at Hastings, Sussex. Hastings is known to most people as the site of the famous battle where William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson - the last Saxon King of England before conquering the rest of England and building such iconic castles we visit on other hikes such as Windsor, Guildford and Arundel. Hastings is now a small to medium size town and can boast having the largest beach based fishing fleet in Europe which is a beautiful sight along with the old fishing net huts.

Our route will take us along part of the Saxon Shore way, up some heady cliffs and along a beautiful and dramatic stretch of coastline. It's a very photogenic route with fantastic views from the cliff tops as we traverse along the coast one of the South East's most stunning coastal hikes. As well as being quite spectacular this area including the sandstone cliffs has also been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for their "great geological and biological importance". In addition to a diverse range of flora, various dinosaur fossils have also been found in the cliffs as well as crocodile bones and teeth from the Early Cretaceous Period (143-139 million years ago)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the beautiful medieval port town of Winchelsea - once on the coast before the sea retracted
• Visit Hastings - known as Europe's largest beach launched fishing fleet and also one of the oldest in the UK
• Stunning panoramic views from the coastal cliff top path as we traverse along the sea
• See France - on a clear day you can see France across the Channel
• Visit Rye, one of the best preserved medieval towns in England, with cobbled street and timbered houses
• Follow the Saxon Shore Way Canal

MEETING POINT