The Downs and the dear Darent Valley

Otford, Shoreham, Eynsford - what images do these names conjour up for you?

Almost undoubtedly none whatsoever. To me, though, they speak of halcyon days of youth: of paddling and spying kingfishers by the River Darent; of admiring the Tudor grandeur of Lullingstone Castle and the (then) mysterious Roman ruins nearby; of yomping up the Downs, cross stiles, woods and meadows; of waiting bored outside pubs while my dad had a pint inside.

Time to revisit these storied scenes for our next walk, incorporating many of above activities. Except, of course, that now we're old enough to go into the pubs.

This will be an attractive hike of 9-10 miles (15-16 km). The first half will be a little up hill and down dale as we assail the North Downs from Otford towards our lunch stop at the Fox and Hounds in Romney Street (from where, despite its isolated bucolic splendour, on a fine day you can see Canary Wharf). The latter stages will be gently undulating as we mosey via Shoreham along the delightful Darent to our ultimate goal of Eynsford.

Lovely.