Outdooraholics London, Hiking & Adventure Travel 25 to 49ish

This is one of our large group hikes - more people, more social, more fun. If you prefer our standard size hikes, we have another standard size hike today as well.

This is our standard hike, but at this time of year the lavender is typically out, so we will go past a lavender field (please note, we go past it, not into it). This is a one off hike, this is the only day in 2025 that we are hosting it

We venture to Kent again and this hike perfectly illustrates why it's known as the "Garden of England". We visit the village of Otford which dates back over 3000 years and two other villages. A delightful rural hike which amongst other things takes us past two castles – Eynsford Castle and Lullingstone Castle and along a stretch of the picturesque River Darent.

We hike the Darent Valley Path alongside the River Darent and through the tranquil Kent fields and ancient wood. The area’s beauty attracted the Romans to settle here and in 80 AD Lullingstone Villa was constructed for a wealthy Roman who was keen on pagan worship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pass the magnificent Lullingstone Castle
• Hike along a delightful stretch of the Darent Valley Path
• Pass the site of the ruins of Lullingstone Roman Villa with its pagan history
• Hike through the picturesque Lullingstone Country Park
• Visit the remains Eynsford Castle
• Explore 3 charming Kentish villages
• Hike through the 22 metre high Eynsford Rail Viaduct with its nine red brick arches

HIKE DESCRIPTION

We start from the picturesque village of Otford, occupied for at least 3000 years. Through the centuries Otford has been home to Iron Age farmers, Romans, Royalty and Archbishops. Our hike takes us through the tranquil woods and grasslands of the Kentish countryside reaching the quaint Shoreham town where the Darent Valley Path takes us to the magnificent Lullingstone Country Park. The park is internationally important due to its collection of ancient trees including beech, ash, oak, sweet chestnut and hornbeam some of which are believed to be 800 years old.

We reach Lullingstone Castle to admire its tranquil lake before we pass the historical Lullingstone Roman Villa - one of the few Roman estate survivals in Britain whose construction began in about 100 AD.

From there, our hike continues among the rolling fields of Kent which reward with views towards the 9 arched Eynsford Rail Viaduct. Reaching the tranquil village of Eynsford, we explore the remains of Eynsford Castle - a medieval fortification built in 1088 and we finish our hike with a stroll along the lovely village.

MEETING POINT

Come and join us for this hike that takes us on a trail through both Sussex and Kent as we explore two counties. We pass the ancient rock formations of Harrison’s Rocks which owe their dramatic and striking shape to the last ice age. As we wander around below the crag surrounded by a lush woodland we’ll admire the majestic beauty of the sandstone formations. Our hike then continues across the border into the beautiful scenery of Kent - the Garden of England. On our way we will explore historical manors with enchanted forests, follow lazy, meandering rivers and indulge our senses with lush countryside.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the famous Harrison’s Rocks formed over 135 million years ago and shaped by the last Ice Age
• Explore two beautiful counties in one day - Kent and Sussex
• Pass a famous manor house dated back to the 1200s
• See the majestic Harrison Rocks which are a Site of Special Scientific Interest
• Be surrounded by a variety of wildlife species including rare plants

HIKE DESCRIPTION

We start off at Ashurst village where we dive into the serene shady woods of Kent and enjoy the scenic beauty of the countryside. Our delightful rural hike continues on to the truly stunning Kentish scenery with much of this section going through very peaceful countryside with a remote feeling. We pass the moated manor of Groombridge which has a rich history of over 700 years. The manor house as well as the bridges and moat gates were largely designed by Sir Christopher Wren, known for his redesign of St Paul’s Cathedral, following the Great Fire of London in 1666.

We then hike to the impressive Harrison’s rocks - a collection of huge rock outcrops that date back about 135 million years but that owe their dramatic and striking shapes to the last Ice Age. They're extremely popular with climbers who we often see. Following the picturesque views across the Kent and Sussex countryside, our trail reveals an abundance of lush countryside demonstrating why Kent is known as the Garden of England, bright and open woodlands including Broadwater forest are home to abundant wildlife. We finish in the idyllic village of Eridge, nestled in the northern borderlands of East Sussex next to Kent.

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