Darent Valley Path

Otford The beauty of the Darent Valley has inspired generations of artists and writers eager to capture the essence of this classic English countryside with its rolling hills, luxuriant meadows and picturesque riverside villages.

View a 360 degree image of Lullingstone

Walks for all the family

The Darent Valley is one of Kent's greatest hidden treasures with fine walking opportunities for all the family. The waymarked path is 19 miles (30.4km) long, following the meandering river from the banks of the busy River Thames at Dartford through the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the Greensand Hills above Sevenoaks.

An excellent network of footpaths means there are numerous walking experiences to be enjoyed, ranging from gentle strolls between historic inns to bracing climbs to the top of the Downs with panoramic views across the valley.

Heritage and landscape

Eynsford Castle Some of Kent's finest heritage from Roman villas and Norman castles to historic palaces and stately homes can be discovered along the path. The fertile soils, which attracted the Romans to settle in the valley, are still important for agriculture today.

Cattle and sheep graze on the hillside and crops thrive - including acres of lavender which scent the summer air. Look out for farm shops and restaurants serving fine local produce, as well as local ales flavoured from the valley's hop gardens in village inns.

Wildlife

Sheep grazing at Shoreham Meanwhile, wildlife enthusiasts are spoiled for choice as the path passes through so many different habitats including the Thames marshes, the chalk of the Kent Downs, historic water meadows and established nature reserves.

The river is popular with anglers and waterfowl flourish on the water as it winds its way through picturebook villages.

Circular walks and a new guidebook

Why not try out one of the new circular walks from the guide. View a free taster online or download the free taster as a PDF (PDF, 955k) with a walk at Lullingstone and start exploring the Darent Valley Path today.

The Explore Kent full-colour guide to the Darent Valley Path is an excellent introduction to the delights to be discovered along the way including the many historic houses and gardens open to the public.

The guide includes maps and details of four circular walks at Horton Kirby, Eynsford, Lullingstone and Otford. The guidebook, Circular walks along the Darent Valley Path, is available from the Explore Kent online shop. You can also view the image gallery.

Maps:

View this walk on the interactive map

The following Ordnance Survey Explorer maps cover this route:

162, 147