North Downs Way Circular and Linear Walks

This walk begins in the quite village of Adisham on the edge of the old coal mining area of East Kent. It joins the North Downs Way for a short section by following little used footpaths and bridleways with some interesting woodland sections. Good views open up north-eastwards to the coast as you return to the village. It is a fairly flat walk with no stiles although paths can be muddy in wet weather.

6 MILES (9.5KM) ALLOW 3 HOURS

Start/Finish: Adisham 
Stiles: 0 
Gates: 3 
Terrain: Open fields and woodland. Undulating with no big slopes 
Views: Some views to the east coast on the return leg Refreshments: Pub near start/finish

The playwright and poet Christopher Marlowe was born in Canterbury in 1564, the son of a shoemaker. His groundbreaking use of blank verse and dynamic plotlines paved the way for William Shakespeare, yet he is remembered also for his roistering lifestyle, a heady mixture of scandal, religion and espionage. Although it is widely believed he met his end in a brawl in Deptford, the truth may yet turn out to be stranger than fiction.

1.3 MILE (2.1KM) WALK
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE 1.6 MILE (2.6KM)

Although Harrietsham lies along the A20, it’s not long before you are out of the village and away from the traffic on this route up on the North Downs. Using part of the North Downs Way, the route offers some excellent views of the surrounding countryside from the Downs. There is a chance to rest at the Ringlestone Inn which was built in 1533 and retains many original features. 

5 MILES (8KM)  ALLOW 3 HOURS

• Start/Finish: Harrietsham station
• Stiles: 21
• Gates: 2
• Terrain: Field paths and tracks. Some moderate slopes
• Views: Some excellent views
• Refreshments: Pub and shop in Harrietsham

This walk takes in the countryside between the village of Harvel and the North Downs Way. You will walk along Wrangling Lane. This name probably derives from the use of the route in times past, by local people taking their grievances (wrangles) to the Lord of the Manor at Luddesdown Court. 

6.6 MILES (10.6KM) 
FROM TROSLEY COUNTRY PARK

Start/Finish: Trosley Country Park
Stiles: 4
Gates: 2
Terrain: Some steep slopes and steps
Views: Some good views
Toilets: At Trosley Country Park
Refreshments: At Trosley Country Park

This challenging route passes through the beautiful village of Kemsing and offers walkers magnificent views across the Weald of Kent. The village of Kemsing was first recorded in AD 822 and is a fascinating start point for the walk. The Church of St Mary the Virgin dates from 1060 and features a Norman Font. The walk ascends and decends the North Downs and paths can be muddy and slippery after rain.

6.5 MILES (10.4KM)

• Start/Finish: Centre of the village of Kemsing
• Stiles: 18
• Gates: 6
• Terrain: Field paths and tracks with some steep slopes
• Views: Magnificent views across the Weald of Kent
• Toilets: At Kemsing village car park
• Refreshments: Pubs and shops in Kemsing. Pub at Heaverham

This walk begins in Otford where you can catch a glimpse of the largest scale model in the world - the Otford Solar System. fter a steep climb up onto the North Downs you are rewarded with some fantastic views of the surrounding countryside.  Descending back to Otford along part of the North Downs Way you also pass by Otford Pond interestingly designated as a listed building! Please note that the route has a short on-road section and the steep climbs may not be suitable for all.

5.3 MILES (8.5KM)

Start/Finish: Otford
Stiles: 9
Gates: 3
Terrain: Fields and tracks with some on-road sections. Undulating paths. Some steep slopes.
Views: Some good views
Toilets: None on route
Refreshments: Pub and shops near start/finish

This 7.8 mile walk starts with a climb to the top of Tolsford Hill, an impressive natural feature that remains wild and unspoilt. The route boasts magnificent views and travels through chalk grassland where buzzards and skylarks are often seen soaring high above the hills. Journey through the villages of Peene and Saltwood before returning to the country park through a sheltered valley.

7.8 MILES (12.5KM) FROM BROCKHILL COUNTRY PARK

Start/Finish: Brockhill Country Park
Stiles: 14
Gates: 13
Terrain: Fields/tracks with some on road sections. Some steep slopes
Views: Some good views
Toilets: Brockhill Country Park
Refreshments: Brockhill Country Park

This walk around the village of Wye has some challenging climbs in places but offers some spectacular views from the Downs together with some fascinating local features. 

This walk can also be completed starting at Wye train station or Free parking in Wye Town Centre to pick up the route at Wye Church.

4.3 MILES (6.9KM)  ALLOW 3 HOURS

Start/Finish: Car park on Coldharbour Lane, near Wye
Stiles: 4
Gates: 12
Terrain: Field paths and tracks. Some steep slopes
Views: Some excellent views
Refreshments: Shops and pub in Wye

An easy-access 3 mile (4.5km) circular walk around a well-known beauty spot on the North Downs Way. Spectacular views, space to run around and picnic. Many places of interest including the Inglis Memorial and National Trust’s Reigate Fort. You may also see Belted Galloway cattle grazing on the open land by the Inglis Memorial, they are used to people.

Allow 1.5 hours.

Start/Finish: Margery Wood NT car park, off A217 Sutton RoadStiles/Gates: 0 stiles, 2 gates
Terrain: Some steep slopes, can be muddy, easy terrain,suitable for rugged buggyViews: Spectacular views from many points
Toilets: Wray Lane car park (about halfway round)
Refreshments: Wray Lane car park

A 2 mile (3.5km) circular easy-access walk around Gatton Park, near Reigate, a beautiful area of Capability Brown designed parkland. Gatton Park, an area of 600 acres, was landscaped in the mid-1700s and the last private owner of the Gatton estate was Jeremiah Colman, famous for Colman’s Mustard. In 1948 the estate was sold to the Royal Alexandra and Albert School. You’ll find many interesting features of the estate as you walk round the parkland.

Allow 1.5 hours.

Start/Finish: Wray Lane free car park. Parts of Wray Lane one-way
Stiles/Gates: 0
Terrain: Some steep slopes, moderate terrain, can be slippery
Views: Many spectacular views
Toilets: At Wray Lane
Refreshments: Urban Kiosk cafe at Wray Lane

A 6 mile (9.5 km) undulating circular walk from Tilford village passing close to the ruins of Waverley Abbey. Waverley Abbey, the first Cistercian monastery in England, was founded in 1128 by Bishop Gifford of Winchester. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536 much of the building stone was sold, some being used to build Loseley House near Guildford. Some fine ruins remain however.

Start/Finish: Tilford Green free carpark
Stiles/Gates: No stiles or gates,some steps
Terrain: 1 steep climb to Crooksbury Hill, challenging terrain, wear suitable footwear
Views: Views to South Downs from Crooksbury Hill
Toilets: Tilford Green
Refreshments: Pub and village shop in Tilford, and 2 more pubs along route

Allow 3 hours.

A 5.5 mile linear Rail to Ramble walk from Woldingham station to Hurst Green station, the return rail journey takes 10 minutes on a weekday. There are several climbs/descents en route.

The route goes through ancient woodland and chalk grassland, both rich in wild flowers, and there are good views to the south coast over the Sussex Weald. You will walk across the Marden Park Estate established in the mid 17th century by Sir Robert Clayton, Lord Mayor of London at the time. The house is now Woldingham School.

Allow 3 hours plus travel.

A 5 mile (8 km) undulating circular walk from Ranmore Common, through part of the NT estate of Polesden Lacey. Great views to London and South Downs on a good day. Many famous people have been associated with Polesden Lacey and its Estate. The playwright and politician Richard Brinsley Sheridan bought the Estate in 1797. The current Polesden Lacey house was designed by Thomas Cubitt as a Grecian villa built in 1824. A well-known member of Edwardian Society, Mrs Ronald Greville lived there in the early 1900s and when she died in 1942 she bequeathed the estate to the National Trust.

Allow 2.5 hours.

Start/Finish: Denbies Hillside car park
Stiles/Gates: 0 stiles, 2 gates
Terrain: Several steady climbs, challenging terrain, wear suitable footwear
Views: Views across to Mole Gap & South Downs (on a clear day)
Toilets: NT Polesden Lacey
Refreshments: NT Polesden Lacey

A 3.5 mile (5 km) gently undulating circular walk from Puttenham Common through woodland at the foot of the Hog’s Back ridge.

Puttenham village has some of the last remaining hop gardens in Surrey. Oast houses were built here in the nineteenth century to dry hops before they were transported to breweries in Guildford and London. In 1223 the manor of Puttenham (now known as Puttenham Priory) was divided between two sisters, one of whom gave her half to the Augustinian Priory of Newark near Ripley.

Allow 1.5 hours

Start/Finish: Puttenham Common top car park 
Stile/Gates: 9 stiles, several gates & some steps
Terrain: Several climbs & descents, challenging terrain, wear suitable footwear
Views: Views to Hindhead & Blackdown from car park
Toilets: The Good Intent pub at Puttenham village about half way round
Refreshments: The Good Intent pub

A 6 mile (9.5km) circular walk from Boxhill & Westhumble station in the beautiful Surrey Hills AONB, passing through Denbies vineyard and Ranmore common.

Denbies Hillside comprises chalk downland & woodland on the southern slope of the North Downs. The land is grazed to maintain it as an important habitat, with a diverse range of wildflowers that attracts a variety of butterfly species, including the distinctive Adonis Blue.

Allow 3 hours plus travel.

Start/Finish: Boxhill & Westhumble station car park 
Stile/Gates: 0 stiles, several gates
Terrain: Some hilly climbs, challenging terrain, wear suitable footwear
Views: Many spectacular views
Toilets: Boxhill & Westhumble station (when manned) and at Denbies
Refreshments: Cycle shop cafe at station, Stepping Stones pub 300m away, Denbies Vineyard cafe approx halfway round

A 6 mile scenic walk around a well-known beauty spot on the North Downs Way & the Purple Ox Trail.

Nestling in a hollow at the foot of the North Downs, Sherbourne Pond & Silent Pool are fed by springs. Part of St Martha’s church dates back to the Norman period, although several circular earthworks nearby suggest much earlier occupation.

Allow 3 hours.

Start/Finish: Silent Pool on A25 Guildford - Dorking Road
Stile/Gates: 2 stiles, 1 gate
Terrain: Some steep slopes & steps, challenging terrain, can be muddy
Views: Many spectacular views
Toilets: Newlands Corner
Refreshments: Newlands Corner, Albury Vineyard (check opening times)

A 2 mile (3.5km) circular walk between Abinger and Effingham on the White Downs through beautiful tranquil woodland and chalk grassland.

You will see many lovely views on this walk which goes through chalk grassland, along drove roads and passes the famous WWII pillboxes that provided a line of defence from German planes. Old Simm’s Copse and Dunley Wood provide a wonderful display of bluebells in the spring.

Allow 1 hour.

Start/Finish: White Downs free car park 
Stiles/Gates: 0 stiles, 2 gates
Terrain: Moderately challenging, gentle climbs, wear suitable footwear
Views: From North Downs. Bluebells in spring in woodland Toilets: None en route
Refreshments nearby: Kingfisher farm shop, several pubs in Abinger & Gomshall nearby

A 7 mile (12.5km) linear rail to ramble walk on chalk grassland from Dorking to Gomshall in the Surrey Hills. The scenery is spectacular and the area rich in wildlife.

In the first 3 miles you will walk on an old carriage road built in the 1800s by William Joseph Denison, one-time owner of Denbies House & Estate. A haven for wildlife, fossil sea urchins have been found here, a reminder that the North Downs was once covered by sea. Further along you will be walking on chalk grassland, which has developed as a special wildlife habitat due to grazing of animals. The chalk slopes are rich in orchids and chalk-loving butterflies such as Adonis and Chalkhill blues.

Allow 3.5 hours plus travel.

Start/Finish: Dorking Station car park
Finish Gomshall Station
Stiles/Gates: Some kissing gates and steps
Terrain: Some steep slopes & steps, challenging terrain can be slippery
Views: Many spectacular views 
Toilets: At Dorking station
Refreshments: Dorking station & Lincoln Arms Inn at start, various pubs in Gomshall at end

These walks around the parish of Charing offer spectacular views and beautiful scenery. For more information visit the Explore Kent website.

The main trail leads along the River Stour and on through ancient woodland and the Chartham Downs. For more informaiton on this walk visit the Explore Kent website.

This walk has been created by the North Downs Way National Trail and uses a section of the North Downs Way.

Follow the trail amongst traditional orchards, quaint villages and ancient woodland. Enjoy inspiring views all along the walk and, in particular, at Julliberrie Down. For more information visit the Explore Kent website.

(Please Note: The Lakeside Loop mentioned in the route guide is no longer available to the public. We appologise for any inconvenience.)

Spend a day immersed in the tranquil countryside and fascinating heritage of Cuxton on this delightful walk. For more information on this walk visit the Explore Kent website.

The local countryside and villages offer excellent walking opportunities and are also home to several intriguing myths and legends. For more information visit the Explore Kent website.

Passing through the distinctive village of Adisham, this North Downs Way circular is sure to delight. Set on the edge of the old coal mining area of East Kent, walkers will enjoy the peaceful woodlands and the views over Barham downs. For more information visit the Explore Kent website.

Kemsing walk offers the chance to enjoy the beautiful village and its varied history. This challenging walk ascends and descends the North Downs and offers magnificent views across the Weald of Kent. For more information on this walk visit the Explore Kent website.