HILLY HIKE 22km Bourne Valley - the Mills, Orchards and Knights Manors of Kent

Join us on this hike through the stunning Bourne Valley - an area so beautiful it’s been officially designated the "Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". This protected and preserved rural area presents lush landscapes, ancient woods, beautiful orchards and a sense of remoteness and tranquillity in Kent - a county known as the ''Garden of England''.

Admire its meandering rivers, ancient mills and royal grounds used for training the Queen’s horses. Hike to the glorious Fairlawne estate, the home of a Saudi Prince with a vast park of over 1000 acres. Follow the edge of the Greensand Ridge, past Knight’s manors and the rare landscapes of unique cobnut trees. All of this just a short train ride away from London.

Please note: This hike is titled HILLY, it is around 450m of ascent, but most of them are small hills, most people are fine on it, but it's not a hike for beginners

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike through a lush part of the Metropolitan Green belt
• Discover the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Pass the vast and awe inspiring Fairlawne mansion - the home of a Saudi Prince and a royal horse training site
• Hike on the Greensand Ridge and follow parts of the Greensand Way path
• Admire ancient hamlets and picturesque mills dating back to the 18th century
• Visit Old Soar Manor - a 13th century knight's dwelling and an English Heritage property
• Explore the county of Kent known as the Garden of England
• Visit Shipbourne Common - a Special Landscape Area

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Our hike takes place in the lush Bourne Valley - an untouched area that boasts a colourful variety of flowers, orchards and the rare and treasured Kentish cobnut trees. We hike on the Greensand Ridge following the dreamy river past some of the ancient mills that it used to power in a bygone era.

We start off at Borough Green whose ancient heritage can be traced back over 2000 years and follow the lush valley past colourful apple orchards and ascending into the ancient Yopps Green to marvel at a fine vista across the whole Bourne Valley. We continue on through the Fairlawne Park which surrounds the wonderful 17th century Fairlawne country mansion, the home of a Saudi Prince. This park was the place where the horses of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother were trained. The estate spreads between 2 villages with vast lawns and beautiful centuries old gardens. After lunch our trail continues past the remnants of ancient paper mills as we hike though chestnut woodlands to reach the Knight's dwelling of Old Soar Manor dating back to 1290. We then head off to the steep sided gorge cut by the river and the picturesque former paper mills at Basted Mill which operated for over 2 centuries.

MEETING POINT

Victoria station 8:30am, leave at 8:45am for the 8:55am train. Meet between WHSmith (no 34) and Nero Express (no 29) - MAP
Planned arrival back into London is 6:36pm (you are committed until then)

GUIDE - KEVIN 07918 329854 (only for use during the hike) ABOUT US

FOOD - Bring a packed lunch, we usually visit a pub after the hike for drinks

DISTANCE & DIFFICULTY

Distance: 14 miles (22km)
Grade: Intermediate
Ascent: 450m
Hiking time: 5.5 to 6.5 hours

COST & PAYMENT

£31 including the guided hike and return train travel, click “Attend” to join.
Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable but we have a process to release your space for RESALE, if your space sells you will be refunded.

WHAT TO BRING

• Hiking clothes & footwear - ideally hiking boots. Hat & gloves if cold, waterproof jacket & trousers KIT LINK
• Water (2 litres)
• Lunch
• We arrange train tickets and logistics, so just turn up and have a great day 😁

SAFETY - Your guide is a trained hike leader and Outdoor Activity First Aider

Instagram 📸
Day hikes list 👣
Calendar - All trips 📖
Facebook page & Photos group

TERMS AND CONDITIONS - By signing up or attending you agree to these

© Outdooraholics Hiking UK Ltd 2025 E & OE