The Joyden’s Wood Walk offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and community charm, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a day hike near London. Starting from Swanley and ending in Bexley, the route takes you through a mix of green spaces, ancient woodlands, and quaint villages, offering plenty to explore along the way.
This walk is a great choice for Halloween, featuring a stop at Beck Evans Farm, which hosts a pumpkin-picking event perfect for the spooky festivities.
Logistics of the Joyden’s Wood Walk
- Distance:7.4 miles (12 km)
- Montée: 207 ft (63 m)
- Point culminant : 295 ft (90 m)
- Point le plus bas: 52 ft (16 m)
- Estimation de la marche: 3 hours
- Difficulté: Facile
Comment s'y rendre:
- Début : Train from London Victoria to Swanley (35 minutes).
- Retourner : Direct train from Bexley to Charing Cross via London Bridge (40 minutes).
Ce qu'il faut emporter
- Les éléments essentiels : Des collations, de l'eau et un sac à dos.
- Préparation météorologique : Waterproof gear if it has rained recently, as parts of the wood can get muddy.
- Sun Protection: Headcover, sunscreen, and sunglasses for sunny days.
Informations complémentaires
- Toilets are available at Swanley and Bexley stations
- Public toilets can also be found in Swanley Park
- There is one stile on this walk
- Cette promenade est adaptée aux chiens
Où manger et boire :
- Tanyard Lane Bar & Kitchen, Bexley
Map of the Joyden’s Wood Walk
Do you want to do this walk? Download the free GPS map by clicking on the button below. Learn how to upload it onto your navigation app by following my step-by-step guide ici.
Highlights of the Joyden’s Wood Walk
- Swanley Park
- Hextable
- Joyden’s Wood
- Faesten Dic
- Beck Evans Farm
The Joyden’s Wood Walk
So now we have covered the basics let’s get to the walk!
Swanley
This walk begins at Swanley station. The route from the station to Joyden’s Wood, which takes about 50 minutes via Swanley Park, is optional, as you could opt for a shorter circular route starting from Bexley station. For this blog, I followed the Swanley route.
Swanley Park, covering 60 acres, is a popular spot for families and nature enthusiasts, attracting over 400,000 visitors annually. It boasts a boating lake, a miniature railway, and spacious play areas for children. Picnic areas and a café make it an excellent starting point for the day.
From here, armed with a coffee, we head towards Hextable, a charming village first mentioned in 1203. It gained prominence during the Victorian era, transforming into a retreat with elegant villas, some of which still stand today. The village’s nurseries were once renowned for supplying London with fresh produce, facilitated by the nearby Swanley Junction railway.
Fun fact: Hextable is one of the few villages in England without a pub!
Joyden’s Wood
Located near Bexley High Street, Joyden’s Wood is a peaceful retreat into nature, spanning 135 hectares of ancient woodland. The area is divided into three sections: Joyden’s Wood, Gattons Plantation, and Sands Spinney, with the main area offering a mix of history, wildlife, and scenery. Towering oaks, sweet chestnuts, and beech trees provide a picturesque backdrop.
The wood is teeming with wildlife, from kestrels and sparrowhawks overhead to ponds bustling with newts. Seasonal changes transform the woodland into a vibrant display of color, from bluebells in spring to golden autumn foliage.
The Boardwalk
The first feature you’ll encounter in Joyden’s Wood is the Boardwalk, also known as the Wildlife Walk. This wooden path is a welcome relief during rainy weather, keeping you above the muddy ground.
Along the way, wooden carvings of animals, birds, and insects add an educational and artistic touch to the walk. It’s like a miniature open-air gallery that blends seamlessly with nature.
Contenu connexe: Ruislip Woods Walk Guide
The Faesten Dic Trail
The wood also offers a glimpse into human history through features like the Faesten Dic, a Saxon defensive structure dating back to AD 457. Known as the “Strong Dyke” in Old English, this earthwork is thought to have been built shortly after the Saxons settled in the area, likely to protect their territory from hostile forces.
At its height, the Faesten Dic was an impressive V-shaped ditch, up to 8 meters (26 feet) wide and significantly deep. The excavated soil was used to create a defensive bank alongside it, making it an effective barrier to slow or deter enemies. While its exact purpose remains uncertain, historians believe it was part of the Saxons’ broader strategy to secure their hold on the region following conflicts with Roman and native British forces.
Over time, the ditch has become partially filled and overgrown, merging with the woodland’s natural landscape. However, its outline remains visible in parts of Joyden’s Wood, providing visitors with a tangible connection to this turbulent chapter in England’s early history.
The Hawker Hurricane
Joyden’s Wood preserves not only ancient history but also poignant memories of World War II, including its connection to the iconic Hawker Hurricane aircraft. This woodland became the site where two Hurricanes, critical to Britain’s air defense, were shot down during the conflict.
A striking tribute to this history is a wooden sculpture by local artist Peter Leadbeater, commemorating one of these events. On Monday, October 7, 1940, at 11:45 am, Pilot Officer Ian James Muirhead’s Hawker Hurricane was brought down over Joyden’s Wood. Although Muirhead, a member of the 605 Squadron, successfully bailed out, he tragically lost his life in combat just two weeks later. To this day, fragments of the wreckage can still be found in the northern parts of the woodland, serving as a solemn reminder of this chapter in wartime history.
Contenu connexe: Broxbourne Woods Walk
Bexley
Our walk through Joyden’s Wood concludes as we exit the forested area on the northern side and head towards Bexley. This part of the route takes you through picturesque open farmland, where you may encounter horses and cows along the way.
Upon reaching North Cray Road, you have the option to turn left towards Beck Evans Farm, a 25-acre working farm offering a mix of nature, relaxation, and family-friendly activities. The farm is ideal for a day out or a short camping getaway, featuring a fully serviced campsite, a farm shop stocked with fresh local produce, and a charming restaurant housed in a beautifully restored barn. Families will also enjoy the Crazy Club soft play centre, while seasonal attractions like pumpkin picking add a touch of festive fun.
Alternatively, continue straight into Bexley, where the walk officially ends. Once part of Kent and now within Greater London, Bexley boasts a rich history, impressive architecture, and lush green spaces. Notable landmarks include Hall Place et Danson House. With its roots dating back to the Domesday Book, Bexley combines rural charm with cultural heritage, making it a perfect destination to explore after your hike.
Feeling peckish after all that walking? Tanyard Lane Bar & Kitchen in Bexley is an excellent spot to refuel. Relax in its modern setting with a pint and a meal. And though I don’t usually comment on such things, this place deserves special mention for having the most beautiful pub toilets I’ve ever seen—check out the photos below for proof!
Final Thoughts on The Joyden’s Wood Walk
The Joyden’s Wood Walk combines everything you could want in a day hike: scenic beauty, historical intrigue, and modern amenities for a rewarding day out. From the ancient Faesten Dic to the poignant Hawker Hurricane memorial, every step of the journey connects you to the area’s diverse past. With stops like Beck Evans Farm and Bexley’s historic highlights, the walk doesn’t just end with nature.
And you, what is your favourite walk in Kent?
Cette promenade vous plaît ? Épinglez-la !
