insideKENT Magazine Issue 29 - August 2014 | Page 108

DAYSOUT

EXPLORE KENT’S

Otford Walk
HEAD OUT INTO THE SUNSHINE THIS SUMMER AND ENJOY STUNNING
VIEWS ON THIS PEACEFUL 5-MILE WALK THROUGH THE PICTURESQUE
VILLAGE OF OTFORD AND HIGH ABOVE THE DARENT VALLEY.

The walk starts from Otford village, which circles
the village’s duck pond, scheduled as a listed
building!

Palmer lived in Shoreham for many years and
was passionate about the pastoral landscape
which surrounded the village.

Leave the bustling village behind you and follow
the lane to join the peace of the Darent Valley
Path along the banks of the river. The path
stretches on across the golf course and through
the cricket field, leading you towards the centre
of Shoreham and the historic public house, The
George.

Emerging from the mature woodland you’ll join
an ancient trackway. Pause and take in glorious
views down to the village of Otford and the
Greensand ridge of Sevenoaks.

Passing the impressive churchyard of St Peter
and St Paul, your route will lead you under the
railway bridge and on a brisk walk up the hillside
towards a patch of woodland. From the
woodland, turn left towards the road, catching
striking views back across the valley through
clearings in the trees.
As you continue over the fields, past Warren
Farm, you’ll discover the dramatic view of the
Memorial Cross carved into the hillside at
Shoreham. The romantic landscape artist Samuel

108

Pass through the gate and turn into woodland
where you’ll find a path strewn with large nodules
of flint. Turn right along the road and you’ll be
brought out into a traditional hamlet. From here,
bear right again to join the famous North Downs
Way National Trail, a 153-mile route from Farnham
in Surrey to Dover in Kent.
The final stretch of the trail will take you across
the field and back to the charming Otford Village.
The High Street is part of the historic Pilgrims
Way; today the village retains many of its medieval
buildings and boasts numerous public houses,
a perfect excuse to settle in a pub garden with
a drink.