Staplehurst walks

A pleasant walk through the Kent countryside of the North Downs. The route uses a paths and sections of trackways to complete the circuit. The start can be reached by train from London Victoria station.

From the parkland close to the centre of Tonbridge, up onto Bidborough Ridge and on to Southborough Common, Returning along a hidden valley, through the park of Somerhill Schools and along the river Medway to the town centre.

A circular route offering a mix of scenic contrasts and adventure. The outward leg includes a rewarding climb to a short but highly rated stretch of the Greensand Way, where you’ll be treated to spectacular views from the Greensand Ridge, looking out across the Weald of Kent and even into East Sussex on a clear day. Just over halfway round, a strategically placed pub stop offers the perfect break. The return leg brings you back through peaceful, picturesque countryside—typical of the farmed landscapes of the Kentish Weald—with plenty of open space and rural charm. A short detour to Ightham Mote, a beautifully preserved 14th-century moated manor house (National Trust), adds a splash of history to the route. Even a brief look may tempt you back for a full visit another time. Shipbourne is an ideal start and end point, with ample parking and excellent food and drink at The Chaser Inn, which serves meals all day on weekends—perfect for a relaxed post-walk lunch or early dinner.

A pleasant walk through apple orchards, past an ancient denehole and a beacon marking the site of WWI inland defences and over Standard Hill, reputed to be a stopping point for Julius Caesar. This is Newington Walk 1.

The walk takes you through typical 'Garden of England' orchards, across a centuries-old farm and past historic landmarks and former WWI inland defences. This is Newington Walk 2.

The walk climbs a small hill reputed to have been used as an encampment by Julius Caesar and which overlooks former WWI defences with a commemorative beacon erected by Newington History Group. It gives lovely views over ancient settlements and to the Medway estuary. The descent takes you through orchards - fruit-growing has been a major part of the local economy for centuries.

Learn how to read a landscape for clues to its military past. From 1914 to 1918, Newington was at the heart of a sophisticated military defence line against a potential German invasion. The walk takes you through the defences, leading you to four information boards that enable you to visualise the trenches, gun emplacements and observation posts that helped protect Britain.

A mainly flat walk in countryside surrounding a small Kent village which dates to pre-Roman times and that was on the route for Chaucer's pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales. Walk in the footsteps of Julius Caesar, see the remains of a Roman town and the site of World War I trenches and visit a fine 13th century church. Along the way are former watercress beds, historic orchards and centuries-old farms and houses. The figure of eight walk twice passes near an 18th century pub for refreshments.

This pleasant walk takes you both sides of Newington's historic watercress beds and past lagoons and open spaces filled with birds. This is Newington Walk 4.

A lovely walk through Kent orchards, past bird-rich lagoons and onto a hill with views across the Medway estuary. It takes you past historic settlements and the site of WWI inland defences before finishing with a birds-eye view of the fine tower of St Mary's church. This is walk 3, Newington.

A return rural walk between one of Kent's most interesting medieval churches and the remains of a 2,000 year old Romano-British temple.

Through several of Kent's fine apple & pear orchards plus one field of Nordic fir Christmas trees ending through open fields of sheep and cattle.

A rural route (avoiding habitation) around the Stour Valley. Starting through King's Wood and a little of the North Downs Way heading north, crossing the valley and picking up some of the Stour Valley Walk heading south before crossing the river again and heading back into the woods.

Pleasant hike that crosses through pastures, crops, apple orchards and some vineyards. The majority of the circuit is along grassy paths. When crossing pastures, don't forget to close gates behind you.

A small part of the Saxon Shore Way. A great walk along Faversham Creek to Hollowshore. Great pub, then a shorter walk back through farmland. Enjoy the beautiful desolation of the marshes, just you, the birds, and the breeze. Stop for a rest or bite to eat at the wonderful Shipwrights Arms, then either re-trace your steps or take the shorter walk back through Ham Farm.

The River Darent Walk from Shoreham to Eynsford is the ideal weekend walk. This easy and gentle stroll in the Kent countryside takes you from a walk alongside the River Darent, passing through corn and lavender fields, a Castle, a Farm Shop and even a Viaduct, with a meal in a local traditional British pub at the end.

Follow Darent Valley Path across Darent Valley Golf Club. Join the North Downs Way & also soon rejoin the Darent Valley Path. At Dunton Green say goodbye to the Darent Valley Path for the last time. We divert from the North Downs Way to take in Chevening Church and Park. Follow the Pilgrims Way along narrow country lanes, then back onto the North Downs Way, before diverting along the Tandridge Border Path thru' Park Wood Golf Club and finish at Westmore Green.

This Kent walk explores the marshes, creeks and tideways on the south side of the River Swale. On the far side of the water is the Isle of Sheppey and in season the area is an excellent place for watching birdlife.

Set off to explore a small coastal area between Rye and Hastings. Cliffs, a long pebble beach, a military canal from the Napoleonic era, marshes, sheep, a mill, pastures in a green and undulating landscape with paths, gates and stiles galore.

This Kent walk takes you onto the southern shores of the Thames Estuary. The route is easy to follow (apart from the start). The area visited during the walk provided Dickens with the perfect scene for his prison huls in his novel 'Great Expectations'.

From start, we go north to soon join a path along the River Thames. Then turn left & upstream along the riverbank, soon under the towering Queen Elizabeth 2 Bridge which takes the M25 over the Thames. The River Thames is wide here & industry is evident, mainly on the opposite bank. At 3.5 miles we join the Darent Valley Path near the large Darent Creek Flood Barrier. We follow the path all the way to the finish, near Dartford Station.

We follow Darent Valley Path thru' Dartford, Central Park & past Brooklands Lake. Thru' the villages of Darenth, Farningham & Eynsford. A big climb up past Eagle Heights & drop back down past the Roman Villa remains. Then past Lullingstone Castle. Lullingstone Park Visitor's Centre, Shoreham Castle Farm and thru' fields to and thru' Shoreham village to finish near Shoreham Station.