Darent Valley Path – Long Distance Walk Guide

ByMagdalena Marsden

The Darent Valley Path is a 19-mile (30 km) long-distance walking trail in Kent that follows the River Darent from its source near Sevenoaks to the town of Dartford, where it joins the River Thames.

This path is one of my favourite long distance walks in Kent and one that I have walked many times and keep returning back to. It’s because it’s fairly level and easy walk with picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and fascinating historical sites.

As you follow the path you also will walk through meadows and tranquil woodland and can visit historic castles and Roman villa, museums and ruins of a bishop’s castle. There are also plenty of pubs, tearooms, cafes and farm shop stocked with local produce along the way.

If you’re looking for a walk that’s both interesting and easy to walk on, the Darent Valley Path is definitely the one to choose!

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My favourite part of the walk

My favourite part of the Darent Valley Path walk is the section between Farningham and Otford, because the countryside is very pretty there and there are also plenty of interesting historic sites, charming villages and my favourite lavender farm.

There is also a shorter walk from Farningham to Eynsford, which I often walk as ‘there & back’ type of walk, because both villages have lovely tearooms to stop for lunch or an afternoon tea. This stretch is approximately 5 miles (8 km) long and you can easily walk it on one day.

Practical Information

DISTANCE: 19-mile (30.5 km)

STARTING POINT: River Thames bank in Dartford

FINISHING POINT: Lonford Lake in Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve or Sevenoaks Train Station (the trail splits near the end, which gives you options)

WALK DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate

TERRAIN: The path is reasonably well-maintained, but you will be walking on concrete paths, meadows, fields (can be a bit muddy after rain), woodland paths. The walk is in the valley, but it’s not completely flat all the way, there are some minor ups and downs, but only a little bit. Mostly it’s easy walk for all abilities

FACILITIES: There are pubs & cafes along the way (mostly around the larger towns and villages)

ACCESSING THE PATH: There are several car parks at various points of the walk and there are several train stations along the route, including Sevenoaks, Otford, Eynsford, and Dartford.

The Darent Valley Path is a 19-mile (30.5 km) long-distance footpath that follows the River Darent through the picturesque countryside of Kent, from the banks of the River Thames in Dartford to the Greensand Hills above Sevenoaks. The route takes walkers through a diverse landscape, including peaceful villages, lush meadows, ancient woodlands, and rolling hills.

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What is the best way to walk the Darent Valley Path walk

The Darent Valley Path is a relatively easy walk, suitable for most fitness levels, and can be completed in a single day (as a long day) or broken up into shorter sections. It doesn’t really matter which way you want to walk it as the path is reasonably level and there are no major steep climbs or hills until you start walking towards the Sevenoak’s train station.

Although I usually walk my favourite section from Farningham to Otford against the River Darent flow, here I wanted to show you how you can walk the path from the start of the River Darent to River Thames.

Day 1: Sevenoaks to Otford (approximately 6 miles / 9.7 km)

The path takes you through few historic villages and you’ll also walk around the lakes, so it can be a little muddy especially after a long rain.

  • Start at the Greensand Way near Sevenoaks Weald or Sevenoaks Train Station
  • Follow the path through Chipstead Lake and Longford Meadow
  • Pass through the villages of Chipstead and Dunton Green
  • End the day in the historic village of Otford with for its 11th-century Archbishop’s Palace and pretty duck pond
  • You can take train back to Sevenoaks from Otford (or to London)

Day 2: Otford to Farningham (approximately 7 miles / 11.3 km)

This is definitely the best section of the walk and if you don’t have the time to complete the whole trail, I’d definitely recommend that you walk this section. You can easily spend the whole day walking this section, as there is so much to see, especially if you want to visit any of the attractions along the way or stop for a lunch.

  • Begin at Otford and head towards Shoreham, passing through fields and woodland
  • Visit the Lullingstone Roman Villa, one of the most outstanding Roman villas in Britain
  • Continue to Lullingstone Castle, a historic manor house with beautiful gardens
  • Visit Eynsford Castle (free), Eagle Heights Centre close to the pretty village of Eynsford
  • End the day in the village of Farningham, with medieval bridge over the River Darent
  • The nearest train station is at Eynsford or Farningham Road back to Sevenoaks or to London, but there are buses at Farningham going back to Sevenoaks.

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Day 3: Farningham to Dartford (approximately 6 miles / 9.7 km)

This is probably the most industrial part of the walk, busy with roads and large villages and towns. The Farningham to South Darenth section is still fairly green and countryside like, but it gets more industrial as you get closer to Dartford.

This part of the walk also includes a section of walk under the M25 motorway, which is definitely not my favourite part of the walk. The Dartford Marshes are also very different scenery as they are very flat with sparse greenery.

  • Start at Farningham and walk through the villages of Horton Kirby, South Darenth and Dartford
  • Walk through the Dartford Fresh Marshes, a haven for wildlife and birdwatching
  • Finish the trail at Dartford Bridge, where the River Darent meets the River Thames
  • Return back to Dartford for trains to London and connections to all stations in Kent

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What to see along the Darent Valley Path walk

The walk begins at River Thames in Dartford Marches, where the river Darent merges with river Thames, but a lot of people start the walk at Dartford, which is a historic market town on the edge of London. The walk ends in the pretty town of Sevenoaks.

Along the way, you will come across different sights and attractions, such as the 14th-century Eynsford Castle, the pretty village of Shoreham with historic buildings and quaint pubs, the impressive Lullingstone Castle and its World Garden, the peaceful Lullingstone Country Park, and the scenic Otford Village with its historic palace and lovely High Street.

You will also walk through the Castle Farm, Darent Valley Golf Club, Farningham Woods Nature Reserve, and the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, which are very lovely parts of countryside with birdlife and other wildlife.

Farningham Village (6.5 miles or 10.5 km)

Farningham village is very pretty and feels like it’s been forgotten in times. It has history dating back to the Roman period, with evidence of Roman villas and a Roman road passing through the area. The Roman villas are unfortunatelly not visible anymore, but you can see few medieval buildings, including the Grade II listed Church of St Peter and St Paul, which dates back to the 12th century and medieval bridge over the River Darent.

The historic Farningham Mill, which is just next to the river, is a restored 18th-century watermill, now converted into private houses, but it’s really lovely to look at as all the buildings are white washed and the whole area looks well preserved.

Lullingstone Roman Villa (8 miles or 13 km)

Lullingstone Roman Villa is a well-preserved Roman villa, which was built around 80-90 AD. The villa was occupied until the 5th century and by all accounts belonged to a very important and wealthy person.

The side is made of extensive complex of buildings, including a bathhouse, a temple-mausoleum, and a house with impressive mosaic floors and wall paintings.

The villa is particularly famous for its rare Christian chapel, which is one of the earliest known examples in Britain. The villa is managed by English Heritage and is open to the public.

Lullingstone Castle (8.5 miles or 13.5 km)

Lullingstone Castle is a historic manor house, from the 15th century and has been home to the same family, the Hart Dykes, for over 600 years.

The castle is probably best known for the beautiful World Garden, which was created by modern-day plant hunter Tom Hart Dyke. The World Garden has plants from around the globe, arranged in the shape of a world map. You can explore the interesting collection of flora, including rare and exotic species, as you walk through the themed areas representing different continents and regions.

You can also learn about the time, when Tom Hart Dyke was kidnapped in the Colombian jungle while on a plant-hunting expedition. Apart from the garden, you can also take a tour of the selected rooms in the historic castle, enjoy the beautiful grounds, and visit the medieval church of St Botolph’s which is part of the estate.

Eynsford Village (10 miles or 16 km)

Passing through Eynsford, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the village’s many historic buildings, including the ruins of Eynsford Castle and the ancient St Martin’s Church. The village also has several traditional pubs and cafes, which makes it a great place to rest and refuel.

Close to Eynsford, you’ll walk under the impressive Eynsford Viaduct, which is a very striking Victorian railway bridge that was built over the valley and the River Darent. The viaduct is very high, so it frames the surrounding countryside beautifully and is a popular place for photographers.

Anthony Roper Gallery

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Anthony Roper Gallery in Eynsford, a small contemporary art gallery with the works of local and regional artists. The gallery is a former Victorian school building and also puts on regular art exhibitions and events.

Eynsford Village Market

For a taste of local life, visit the Eynsford Village Market, held every first Saturday of the month. This charming market features a variety of stalls selling fresh produce, crafts, and artisanal goods, as well as live music and entertainment.

Eynsford Castle

Eynsford Castle is now a ruined medieval fortification, which was originally built in the late 11th or early 12th century by the Eynsford family. The castle was constructed as an enclosure castle, with a stone curtain wall surrounding a courtyard with internal buildings.

The castle was later expanded and strengthened in the 13th century, with the addition of a stone hall and a square tower. However, by the 14th century, the castle had fallen into disrepair and was eventually abandoned.

The castle remains are managed by English Heritage and are open to the public for free.

Eagle Heights (10 miles or 16 km)

Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation is a wildlife sanctuary and bird of prey centre, originally founded in 1996. The centre is has one of the UK’s largest collections of birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls, as well as a variety of other animals such as reptiles, meerkats, and servals.

The foundation is dedicated to the conservation and education of birds of prey and you can see daily flying demonstrations, get hands-on experiences, and join educational talks.

Shoreham Aircraft Museum (12,5 miles or 20 km)

The Shoreham Aircraft Museum, a small but fascinating museum dedicated to the history of British aviation during World War I. The museum is in a 17th-century barn and has a collection of artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia related to the famous Shoreham Aircraft Company.

Mount Vineyard (12,5 miles or 20 km)

Another hidden gem along the route is the Mount Vineyard, a family-run winery and vineyard that offers tours and tastings of their award-winning English wines. The vineyard is set on a stunning hillside overlooking the Darent Valley and tucked away behind the Shoreham village. There is also a bistro, shop and the vineyard often hosts a concerts and special evenings.

Castle Farm (13 miles or 21 km)

Castle Farm is a lovely lavender farm just outside Shoreham village. The farm is one of the largest lavender farm in the UK, with over 130 acres (53 hectares) of lavender fields that bloom in stunning shades of purple every summer.

Castle Farm has been growing lavender since the early 2000s and every summer, you can come in to have a picnic in the flowering lavender field, enjoy the beautiful scenery, take photos, and learn about the lavender growing process.

The farm also produces a range of lavender products, including essential oils, soaps, and toiletries, which are sold in the on-site shop and online. Castle Farm also grows hops and apples and keeps cows, so there is always something new to see when you visit.

Otford & Otford Palace (15 miles or 24 km)

Otford is a pretty village with a population of around 3,500 people. The village’s history goes back to the Roman era, but most people remember it because of the main village roundabout with a large duck pond.

Otford is full of historic buildings, but the most intriguing one is the remains of the Archbishop’s Palace, a former residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury with the 11th-century St Bartholomew’s Church.

The village high street has a number of traditional pubs, cafes, and independent shops, as well as a popular heritage centre that displays the area’s history.

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (16 miles or 25 km)

Continuing beyond Otford, the path takes you through the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, a peaceful nature reserve that is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The reserve has plenty of well-maintained boardwalks and bird hides, where you can observe the local wildlife.

Churches along the Darent Valley Path

Finally, keep an eye out for the many historic churches and chapels scattered along the Darent Valley Path, such as St Martin’s Church in Eynsford, which dates back to the 12th century and has stunning stained glass windows and a double nave.

Riverhead (17,5 miles or 28 km)

Riverhead is one of the larger villages on the River Darent, close to Sevenoaks. Riverhead has some lovely historic buildings, including the 12th-century St Mary’s Church, which has a double nave and a Norman font. You can find several traditional pubs, independent shops here, and a popular village hall that puts on community events throughout the year.

How to get to Darenth Valley Walk by train

Several towns and villages along the Darent Valley Path in Kent have train stations, which makes it easy to walk in one direction and take the train back. This is ideal, if you for example park your car at one of these stations, walk as far as you like and take the train back.

Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks railway station is located in the town center and is served by Southeastern and Thameslink trains. It provides direct connections to London Charing Cross, London Cannon Street, and Kentish Town.

Bat & Ball

Bat & Ball railway station is located in Sevenoaks and is the closest station to the start of the Darent Valley Path. It is served by Thameslink trains and offers connections to Sevenoaks and London Blackfriars.

Otford

Otford railway station is situated in the village of Otford and is served by Thameslink trains. It provides direct connections to London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks.

Shoreham

Shoreham railway station is located in the village of Shoreham and is served by Thameslink trains. It offers direct services to London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks.

Eynsford

Eynsford railway station is located in the village of Eynsford and is served by Thameslink trains. It provides connections to London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks.

Farningham Road

Farningham Road railway station is located near the village of Farningham and is served by Thameslink trains. It offers direct services to London via Swanley or to Kent via Rochester.

Dartford

Dartford railway station is located in the town of Dartford, at the end of the Darent Valley Path. It is a major station served by Southeastern and Thameslink trains, offering direct connections to London Charing Cross, London Victoria, and London Bridge, as well as other destinations in Kent.

If you want to return back to Sevenoaks, you will need to change at Lewisham or London Bridge (for fast trains back to Sevenoaks).

This blog post was originally published on 14 February 2025 and last updated on 14 February 2025

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