A walk along the river Darent and the Lavender fields

Come and join us on this beautiful walk along the valley of the dreamy river Darent, through wheat and lavender fields. We will pass castles and roman villas, see birds of prey and an enormous Victorian railway bridge. We will follow some small country roads, but most of the routes are off-road, away from the cars.

Along the way we will visit the Hop shop, where you can find all kinds of Lavender goodies and treats.

Will you join us on this walk?

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How to get there:

We meet up at 10.00 am at Denmark Hill train station to get the 10.22 Thameslink train, which should arrive at Eynsford at 11 am. A return ticket to Eynsford (for the unlucky ones amongst us who don’t have a senior citizen card yet) is £7.70. You can either meet us at Denmark Hill, or you can meet us along the way or in Eynsford. Please take note of my mobile 078 078 3456 4, just in case you can’t find us!

If this is closer to you, you can take the train at these stations too:

Elephant and Castle, departs at 10.16 am
Peckham Rye: departs at 10.25 am
Nunhead: departs at 10.27 am

If you do get the train at a different station, please make sure you text me on 078 078 3456 4 to tell me you plan to do that, and then again once you are on it, and in which carriage you are, so we don't get all worried that you are not there! :-)
Terrain and length of the route:

The route is about 6.5 miles/ 10 kilometres, but might be slightly longer as we wander around the Lavender fields and the Hopshop

This walk mostly follows the river banks and is fairly flat.

Toilets, food/drinks & what to bring:

I suggest we bring a pick-nick and enjoy our lunch outside, but if the weather isn’t very attractive for eating outside, There is a visitor centre with some nice food and the hopshop usually serves tea and scones.

Don’t forget to bring something to drink for on the way.

This walk will happen in any weather, unless it is unsafe, so bring your waterproofs and (preferably waterproof) shoes with a good grippy profile.

I am optimistic about the weather and have a reputation to uphold, so I am counting on sunny weather. So don’t forget to bring a sunhat/cap and sunscreen!

Who can join?

Anyone who can comfortably walk 10 km.

If you have ever walked with us at Silverfit Burgess park, and you are comfortable walking in the medium/social walking group speed you will be fine, and if you walk with me in any of our Fit and Happy Outdoors walks, you will be totally fine too.

Feel free to bring a friend or family member, with or without poles. Nordic Walkers or not, that doesn’t matter, as long as they are Fit (enough) and Happy! 😊

Are you a Nordic walker but don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some.

Cost:

£10 or, if you are one of our regular Fit and Happy Outdoors walkers, one stamp on your 10 session card.

If you are genuinely poverty stricken- £5

(Train tickets and food or drinks at café not included)