The River Darent Walk from Shoreham to Eynsford is the ideal weekend walk. This easy and gentle stroll in the Kent countryside takes you from a walk alongside the River Darent, passing through corn and lavender fields, a Castle, a Farm Shop and even a Viaduct, with a Sunday roast at the end. What else do you need for a perfect Sunday? The sun maybe? Well, it’s England, but I will try my best to get the sun to make an appearance!
I have walked these paths countless times, from Otford, Eynsford or even Orpington. It’s like all the roads lead to the River Darent. This walk is the shortest version of the Otford to Eynsford hike because I wanted to take my parents on a hike, but due to their age, I knew I had to come up with something short and easy. For casual hikers, weekend walkers, families with kids or simply those who want to embrace the fresh air of the countryside at their pace, here is the perfect day out in Kent for you.
Logistics of the River Darent Walk
- Distance: 4.4 miles (7 km)
- Ascent: 43 feet (13 m)
- Walking Estimate: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- How to get there: Day return tickets to Shoreham from Victoria Station and hop on the train at Eynsford on the way back.
- What to pack: Comfortable shoes and clothing. If you are going after a rainy day make sure that you wear waterproof shoes or shoes you do not mind getting a bit muddy. Wear a head cover, sunscreen and sunglasses as the paths across the fields are exposed. Alternatively, don’t forget your rain gear if the weather is not nice for the same reason. Take a backpack with water (at least 1 litre), snacks, identification and money.
- Additional Information: There are no public toilets on this walk
- Pub stop: The Castle Hotel Kent
Highlights of the River Darent Walk
- Shoreham
- Shoreham White Cross
- River Darent
- Castle Farm & Hop Shop
- Lullingstone Castle
- Lullingstone Roman Villa
- Eynsford Viaduct
- Eynsford
The River Darent Walk
Shoreham
Shoreham is a village in Kent, located at the bottom of a hill by the River Darent. Settled in the Iron Age, the village is not mentioned anywhere until 1668 when a reference is made during a court case. However, the place played an important role during WWII due to its location. Many manors were requisitioned by the army and used as bases for military operations. This resulted in the village becoming a target and sadly getting the title of “the most bombed village in the UK”.
On the hillside opposite the village, you can see a cross which had been cut in the chalk. Made in 1920, the cross is there to remember those fallen during WWI. Shoreham is the home of an Aircraft Museum which opened to the public for the first time in 1978 and where you can see remains of aircraft from WWII which crashed in the area.
Shoreham to the River Darent
Our walk starts at the train station in Shoreham. It is one of these places where the station is located further away from the actual village, therefore you would need to walk a bit before reaching the village. When you come out of the station, take right and walk under the bridge. On the opposite side of the bridge on your left, you find the Darenth Golf Club. A sneak pick at the golf course and you are back on the road.
This part of the walk can feel a bit perilous as there is no sidewalk and you need to stick to the edge to let cars and cyclists overtake you. At the end of this road, you arrive at the village by St Peter & St Paul Church. Walk back under the gate to take a look at the church. Get back on Darenth Way and at the end, you find a footpath on the bank of the River Darent.
The River Darent
The name Darent means “clean water” as the water flows on a bed of chalk. This pure water explains the development of the paper industry in the region. The River Darent takes its source in Westerham, Kent, and flows all the way to Dartford where it joins the River Thames. There is a 19 miles (31 km) path following the River Darent called the “Darent Valley Path”.
Walk on the towpath alongside the river. When you arrive at the end, cross over the bridge on your left and follow the towpath on the opposite bank.
The path leaves the bank of the River Darent and diverts towards the corn fields. Walk across the fields and you soon arrive near a meadow with a wooden structure and cows having a nap in the shade. This means you are close.
But close the what?
The Castle Farm & the Hop Shop, of course!
Castle Farm & the Hop Shop
Very well indicated, follow the signpost and leave the fields to get to the farm opposite the road. You arrive on a farm with cows in the meadow and a stream with a mini windmill. One turn and there you are!
Castle Farm is run by the Alexander family since 1892. They have a large variety of crops and diversified into the production of Lavender in 1998. It is now the largest producer of Lavender in the UK. The Hop Shop opened in 1990 to respond to the demand for hop flowers for decoration. It has now selling local food products, table wear, lavender oil and seasonal decoration for Christmas or Halloween.
Make sure you carry a big backpack with you to fit all your purchases!
Want to see their Halloween decoration? Check here.
Lullginstone Castle
After you leave the shop, go back on the footpath you were on and continue straight across the fields. You soon join back the River Darent into a forested area. Continue on the towpath and you can get a glimpse at the lake of the Lullingstone property behind the bushes.
At the end of the wood, you come face to face with the massive towers of the Lullingstone Castle gate. The construction of the present castle began in 1497. It has been owned by the Hart Dyke family for twenty generations, including the current heir, the plant hunter, Tom Hart Dyke.
On 16th May 2000, Tom Hart Dyke, was kidnapped in Columbia, along with his travelling companion, whilst hunting for rare plants. During his 9 months of captivity, Tom designed the garden of his dream. When he was finally freed in December of the same year, he came back to Lullingstone and made his project a reality and opened the World Garden.
Fun Fact: In 2011, the TV ad “Though Decisions’ for Comparethemarket.com featuring the two Meerkats Sergei and Alexander was shot at Lullingstone Castle.
Eynsford Viaduc
After the castle, continue straight and at the end of the path, take the road ahead of you. From this point onwards, you will be walking on the road, with no sidewalks, sharing with cars and cyclists. Depending on the day when you are going, the road can be more or less busy.
You soon arrive at the Lullingstone Roman Villa. Inside the hall, discover the remains of a villa dating from AD 100, along with mosaics and artefacts found on site.
After the (optional) historical visit, get back on the road and you can see the Eynsford Viaduc ahead of you. The massive structure is composed of 9 arches of 75 feet high (22.8 m) each. The construction of the viaduct to link Chatham to Sevenoaks began in 1859 and it opened in 1862.
Eynsford
It is only a short walk after you pass under the viaduct to get to Eynsford. This small Kent village is renowned for its ford, where children and grown-ups enjoy taking a dip during the hot days of the summer. The grassy bank of the River Darent by the ford makes it the perfect spot for a picnic.
Walk across the stone bridge over the ford to get onto the High Street. In front of you is St Martin’s Church. Take the left onto the High Street to get to the Castle Hotel.
No, we are not planning on making you spend the night in Eynsford. However, we are planning on getting your tummy full before going back to London. And this is the perfect place to get to this aim. Enjoy the lunch menu or the Sunday roast menu (the best Sunday roasts in Kent) inside or in the beer garden at the back. You won’t regret you stopped there for lunch!
Bon appetit!
River Darent Walk Map
Do you want to do this walk? Download the map by clicking on the button below. You can upload the map onto your navigation app by following my step by step guide here.
Final Thoughts on the River Darent Walk
If you want to do more walks in Kent, check my Best Walks in Kent post. From the rolling North Downs Way to gentle coastal walks, there is one for everyone.
And you, what is your favourite place in Kent? Let me know in the comment section below.
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