North Downs Way
Trace ancient routes on a modern-day pilgrimage through Surrey to the Kent Coast at Dover, along one of England's most accessible trails
Trace ancient routes on a modern-day pilgrimage through Surrey to the Kent Coast at Dover, along one of England's most accessible trails
Find useful facts and learn more about the North Downs Way below. Select the blue tabs below for more details.
Cutting across the South East of England, the North Downs Way National Trail offers walkers 153 miles (246 km) of spectacular scenery, picturesque villages and glorious countryside, easily accessible from London.
Running from Farnham to Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover, the Trail passes through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs, and along the famous Pilgrims Way (or Pilgrim’s Way) from Winchester to Canterbury – one of England’s most famous cities.
You’ll discover history every step of the way: there are eight castles, three cathedrals, three archbishops’ palaces and numerous stately homes and gardens close to the Trail. After a day of exploring, you can sample English ales flavoured with Kentish hops at traditional English country pubs and inns, or try sophisticated wines from one of the various local vineyards.
Check out this video of Rob Bell exploring the North Downs Way to find out more about some of the great places you can explore along the trail…
There are route descriptions in the Further Information section of this website
Exploring The Trail
The North Downs Way can be enjoyed at any time of the year and the most popular direction to walk the Trail is from West to East, although many travellers arriving in Folkestone and Dover choose to walk the route in the opposite direction.
Much of the Trail follows relatively level ground but around the scarp slope of the North Downs there are a number of inclines rewarded by fantastic views across the High Weald. The section from Guildford to Reigate with St Marthas, Albury Down, White Down, Box Hill and Colley Hill is more challenging
The National Trail passes fascinating Neolithic sites, Roman and Napoleonic forts and WWII fortifications, the ancient city of Canterbury – home to the world-famous Canterbury Cathedral – and the historic seaside towns of Folkestone and Dover.
The North Downs Way features two ancient Pilgrims routes. The Pilgrim’s Way is a historical route from Winchester to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent. Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170, and for more than 200 years his shrine at Canterbury became the most important in the whole of the UK. The route between the Port of Dover “the Gateway to England” and Canterbury retraces the steps of Archbishop Segeric who travelled this route in 990AD from Rome to Canterbury on what is now known as The Via Francigena, the UK’s only European Cultural Route.The historic route is also rich in landscape, from the high chalk ridge of the North Downs, a rare grassland habitat for Orchids, bees and butterflies found only in Kent to the ancient woodlands of the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs which are carpeted with bluebells in early spring. The trail bursts out onto the White Cliffs at Folkestone with magnificent views across the English Channel and Dover Castle sitting above the historic Port.
With so much local history, culture and wonderful views to celebrate the North Downs Way is inspiration and home to a growing number of permanent artworks and in 2022 will launch the new North Downs Way arts trail with pieces installed across the 153 miles from Dover to Farnham. Find out more here.
Visit our Walking Holidays Page for holiday inspiration for the North Downs Way.
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new EXPERIENCE project working with the Kent Downs AONB and project partners across the UK and France to feature our favourite routes, create new itineraries and develop experiences with nearby businesses.
Love the Trail? Why not become a North Downs Way Ambassador and join our free training programme in September. Applications now open, visit Kent Downs AONB to find out more.
New Arts Trail launching in 2022 with 2 artworks already in place in Surrey and 6 further pieces planned in 2021 and 2022 which reflect to incredible views, nature and history of the 153 mile route. Click here to learn more about the North Downs Way Art Trail.
Visit our news page to find out more and for all the latest news on the North Downs Way National Trail.
3rd August North Downs Way Ambassadors Webinar – If you’d like to share your love for the North Downs Way National Trail with others and think you can run guided tours in Kent or Surrey then you can become a North Downs Way Ambassador and apply to join our programme of free training in September 2021. Attend our webinar on 3rd August to find out more and to answer any questions you have – click here.
Take a look at our Events calendar to find details of the enjoyable events that are taking place along the trail. If you want, you can even add your own event.
Turn a walking weekend into a modern-day pilgrimage and visit some of England’s grandest castles, stately homes, churches, abbeys and its foremost cathedral at Canterbury...
Feeling inspired? Build a bespoke itinerary and start planning your visit to this great National Trail here.
