DAYSOUT
VALLEY VIEWS AND WOODLAND HUES
LULLINGSTONE IS SET WITHIN THE BEAUTIFUL DARENT VALLEY . WALK HERE DURING THE WINTER AND YOU ’ LL BE TREATED TO INSPIRATIONAL WINTER VIEWS OF LULLINGSTONE CASTLE AND VIADUCT ACROSS A PATCHWORK OF FIELDS LINED WITH HEDGEROWS AND BEAUTIFUL CRISP FROST ON MAJESTIC TREES . YOU ’ LL PASS THROUGH WOODLAND , ALONG MEADOWS AND PRETTY COUNTRY LANES , AS WELL AS AMBLE THROUGH THE PRETTY KENTISH VILLAGE OF SHOREHAM WITH ITS STREAM FLOWING LAZILY UNDER THE BRIDGE .
This is a delightful walk that takes you through the village of Shoreham before circling round and entering Lullingstone Country Park for the second half of the walk . Setting off from the car park at Lullingstone , you ’ ll need to walk to the car park entrance to pick up the footpath that begins your walk . A kissing gate located right next to the car park entrance is the starting point .
You ’ ll walk along a meadow ’ s edge footpath and will pass the hop shop on your left . They sell lovely lavender products ; do stop by if you have the time ! Further along just around the bend , you ’ ll see a gap in the hedge . Go through the gap and taking care crossing the road , head through the gate opposite into a field .
Crossing the field , look to your left to admire the view of the Darent Valley . Look ahead and see a row of tall trees , cross the stile in the tree line and continue on the track ahead .
Continue to follow the track ahead through the fields and along the river ( on your left ) before heading over another stile into a wooded area . Continue along the river ’ s edge until you reach Mill House and follow the fence line round to a small bridge that crosses the river to continue along the path into the village .
Reaching the end of the path , turn right across the bridge into Shoreham . Here you will find a delightful high street – turn right at the end of the road you ’ ll see the village shops and café , this is the perfect time to stop for your main refreshments .
Look out for an opening on your left called The Landway , turn left here and head along the track past the recreation ground . Climb over the stile at the end of the path and follow the steep section of path uphill where you ’ ll come across the Shoreham War Memorial .
Reaching a second stile on the uphill climb , take the opportunity to look back and admire fantastic views of the Darent Valley . Cross over the stile to continue uphill on a short steep section of path with some steps . Turn right to follow a well-defined track passing Meenfield Wood on your left .
Further on , go around a gate to continue downhill through a wooded section . After passing another gate , bear left towards the road . Turn right past the junction following signs to Well Hill and Eynsford .
A short distance ahead , turn left into Cockerhurst Road , you ’ ll see tall trees either side in their full winter splendour . Follow the road until you see a bungalow on your left . Immediately opposite the bungalow look for an opening in the hedge signed ‘ Public Footpath ’ and follow the path uphill with more fantastic views when you get to the top .
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