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WEST KENT AND THE WEALD

With the Darent Gap seen off to the right, the way descends to a lane above Shoreham (Walk 1)

From the Darent Valley which slices through the North Downs, to the low-lying pastures edging Romney Marsh, the countryside south of the M20 rewards the walker with a magnificently diverse set of landscapes. Only a small part of the North Downs is included, but the Kentish half of the Greensand Ridge is here in its entirety, as is the vast sweep of the Weald with its historic villages, orchards, hop gardens and vineyards, and numerous scenes of timeless beauty.

WALK 1

Lullingstone Park to Shoreham

Start/Finish Lullingstone Park Visitor Centre (TQ 526 638) Distance 6 miles/9.5km Maps OS Explorer 147 and 162 Refreshments Cafeteria at Lullingstone Park Visitor Centre; pubs in Shoreham Access Via Castle Road cutting southwest off A225 ½ mile/800 metres south of Eynsford railway bridge. Nearest railway stations: Eynsford and Shoreham. Parking Pay & display at the visitor centre

Formerly a medieval deer park, Lullingstone Park provides a focus of outdoor recreation on the west flank of the Darent Valley between Shoreham and Eynsford. In addition to the ubiquitous golf course, there are woodland walks and views from open meadows, while the visitor centre on the Darent’s bank serves the public with refreshments, toilets, interpretive leaflets, walking guides and plenty of information on the area’s natural history.