FREE HIKE 20 km | Darent Valley Discovery - Villages, Views and Ancient History

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3.5/5, MODERATE - Few steep hills, but not overly strenuous.

Join us for a lively countryside adventure packed with sweeping views, hidden history, and classic Kent character. We begin in the charming village of Otford, famous for its unique village pond shaped like a map of the world. From the very start, expect a friendly, social day out with plenty of photo stops along the way.

Leaving Otford, we climb into the peaceful woodlands of Otford Mount, following quiet trails through the former Austin Lodge Golf Club, which closed in 2024. As nature slowly reclaims the fairways, this area now feels like a secret green corridor waiting to be explored.

Our route then leads us into the picturesque village of Shoreham, known for its famous duck race on the River Darent each May. We stop here for lunch, with time to explore the village and enjoy a cosy pub if you wish.

After lunch, we head uphill for one of the day’s highlights, the Shoreham Memorial Cross, carved into the chalk hillside in 1920 to honour local men who lost their lives in the First World War. The views from above the village are well worth the climb.

From here, we wander through the tranquil landscapes of Lullingstone Country Park, enjoying a mix of woodland paths and open valley views along its peaceful walking trails. We pass by the Lullingstone Roman Villa museum along the way, offering a glimpse into the area’s deep Roman past.

As we continue, dramatic scenery unfolds, offering a glimpse of the impressive Eynsford Viaduct, a striking 19th-century railway structure that still carries trains overhead today.

Our journey ends in the postcard-perfect village of Eynsford, where we explore the atmospheric ruins of Eynsford Castle, one of the best preserved Norman castles in Kent, still enclosed by its original defensive walls.

There is time at the end for optional pub visits before heading to Eynsford railway station and making our way home. Note that pubs at the end of the hike may not allow muddy boots into the premises, so bring shoe covers.

🛑 IMPORTANT: This hike is best suited to intermediate hikers who are comfortable with sustained hill ascents and able to maintain a steady pace of around 4.5 to 5 km/h. Those new to hiking or unsure about the pace may find the terrain and elevation challenging.
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN:
Adults aged 21 and over. No children. No pets.

🚗 🅿️ BY CAR:
You can park at the Otford start location or the Eynsford end location.

📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 1 (London group travel):
Buy a return ticket to Otford for £11.10 with a Network Railcard discount.
AdrianB will be at the meeting point to act as a focal point for the group.

09:15 Meet at London Bridge main ticket office
09:30 Leave the meeting point and board the train
09:38 Train departs London Bridge towards Maidstone East
10:10 Arrive at Otford

Get off the train, cross over the bridge, and regroup outside the main entrance.

📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2 (Hike start location):
10:10 Otford railway station, main entrance

🚶 WALK STARTS:
10:20 Otford railway station, main entrance

🏁 WALK FINISHES:
Approximately 16:30 Eynsford railway station. The Railway station is about 15 minutes from pubs in the town centre.

↩️ RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:
16:35 From Eynsford, optional change at Swanley for London Bridge
17:05 From Eynsford towards Blackfriars (Slow train)
Check the timetable at the station on the day.

🍔 LUNCH:
“Bring a packed lunch and snacks. We will stop in Shoreham, where there are cafés if you would like to buy cake and tea. Please note that if your footwear is very muddy and you do not have shoe covers, you may not be able to enter some premises.

💰 COST: Free

🚻 TOILETS:
Nature breaks during the hike as needed. There is ONE toilet at the village hall.

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💪 TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:
Distance: 20 km (approximately 12.5 miles)
Difficulty: MODERATE
Ascent / Descent: 360 m up / 372 m down
Highest / Lowest point: 208 m / 39 m
Walking time: 5 hours
Total time: Approximately 6 hours, including stops and breaks

Pace: Fast enough to keep warm and steady, yet relaxed enough for conversation. We will adjust as needed, with plenty of chances to enjoy the views and keep things sociable.

Terrain: The route includes village paths, woodland trails, former golf course tracks, chalk hillside footpaths, and river valley walking. Surfaces vary from firm paths to chalky slopes that can be slippery and muddy after rain, especially on climbs above Shoreham. Expect some steady ups and downs rather than long flat sections. Sturdy walking footwear is recommended, particularly in wet conditions.
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch, snacks, at least 2L water
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layers, waterproofs, warm layer
• Sun protection
• Personal medication and blister plasters
• Fully charged phone and head torch
• Offline maps or GPS app
• Cash if you want to buy something from a tea shop and spend less than that £5
• Recommended: Walking poles for some slippery steep descents

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📅 RSVP POLICY: RSVP only if you plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join.

👣 STAYING TOGETHER: You are responsible for keeping up with the group lead and may risk being left behind if large gaps form. Faster walkers should wait at junctions, and organisers may pause at key points to allow the group to regroup.

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📞 CONTACT: For pre-event questions, please message the event host via Meetup. On the day of the walk, if required, you may contact AdrianB via WhatsApp on +44 (0) 7438 812 663.
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER: By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.
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🍃 We look forward to welcoming you on the trail.