Looking for a nice morning walk ending with a traditional Sunday roast? I’ve got you covered with a walk from Otford to Eynsford in Kent. We are back in Otford in the North Downs but this time we are going up to the Darent Valley. It is another walk ending in a pub for a Sunday roast, so read all the way to the end: you do not want to miss the best bit.
Logistics for the Otford to Eynsford Walk
- Distance: 9.61 miles (15.46km)
- Ascent: 449 ft (137 m)
- Walking estimate: 4 hours and a half
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Trains from London Victoria. The plus side of this walk is that Otford and Eynsford are on the same line so you can buy a day return to Otford
- What to pack: Comfortable clothing and footwear, snack (you will need one as it is quite a long walk before reaching the pub at the end), water (2 litres recommended)
Highlights of the Otford to Eynsford walk
- Otford village
- Shoreham White Cross
- Shoreham village
- Drink at the King’s Arms
- Lavender fields & shop
- Lullingstone Castle
- Eynsford Viaduct
- Eynsford village
- Eat at the Castle Hotel
Otford to Eynsford walk
Let’s go back to Otford
Our walk starts one more time in the village of Otford in Kent. The village is accessible by train from London Victoria (approximately 40 minutes). Otford is known to be the home of Britain’s smallest listed building, a duck house in the middle of a pond on a roundabout. As per the two previous walks, we start by going down the High Street where we can find lovely boutiques and cafes. At the end of the High Street, we turn onto the fields before Telster Park.
Shoreham village
We walk across the fields and pass near the River Darent. We then go up a hill, and quite a tough one! At the top, we found a white cross marked on the hillside, facing the village of Shoreham. This cross dug into the chalk, is a mark of respect and remembrance for those who lost their lives during the First World War.
We then go down the hill to the village of Shoreham and stop there for a well-deserved glass of Pimm’s at one of the four independent pubs of the village: the King’s Arms. We sit outside at a table in front of a window with a mannequin dressed in an old fashion way. Above the window, we can read: “The Jolly Ostler“. Perplexed, we take our phones out and do a quick Google search. We find that back in the day the Ostler was the equivalent of the valet but instead of cars, he would receive customers’ horses. It is said to be the last Ostler box in the country.
Lullingstone
After we finish our drinks, we get back onto the fields and the hill of Darenthdale, a much easier one! Following the path alongside Coombe Hollow, we then cut across the woods of Lullingstone Country Park. As we come out of the woods, we set foot in the lavender fields. We stop at the lavender shop to buy some handmade products and a plant.
Related Content: A Walk Through Mayfield Lavender Farm
We then continue our walk along the Darent River and soon arrive in front of the massive towers of Lullingstone Castle. The castle was built in 1427 and has belonged to the Hart Dyke family since. Henry VIII and Queen Anne were among the regular guests. The castle is also the home of the World Garden of Plants which opened to the public in 2005. The idea of the garden was born while Tom Hart Dyke, the heir of the family, was held captive in Colombia. During his nine-month imprisonment, he started designing the garden in his diary.
Related Content: A Guide Through Cotswold Lavender Farm
Eynsford
Then, we continue our walk following the Darent river and arrive at the Eynsford Viaduct. This Grade II listed building is made of red bricks, counts 9 arches and is 75 feet (22m) tall. It was built in 1859 to link Chatham to Sevenoaks. We walk under the viaduct and follow the trail to Eynsford where our walk ends.
We finally arrive at Eynsford village. Among other things you can find in Eynsford:
- A ford in the middle of the village alongside a stone bridge
- A 16th Century Plough Inn
- An old mill
- A Norman Castle built in 1088
We stop at the Castle Hotel restaurant for a traditional Sunday roast. The food is delicious and they offer a choice of five different roasts. I would highly recommend this place both for the food and the environment. Bon appetit!
Once we finish our amazing meal. we make our way to Eynsford Station to catch a train back to London Victoria (approximately 40 minutes). Please note that you can also find a direct train to London Blackfriars, though this is a slow train, taking approximately 55 minutes to reach London.
Otford to Eynsford map
For more lavender field walks this summer check out the Best Lavender Fields near London article!
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