North Downs Way Rail Trails

Introducing our North Downs Way Rail Trails – ten carefully curated routes that begin and end at railway stations along the North Downs Way. Why not discover somewhere new and tick them all off? And best of all, the walks are sustainable –  you can go green and reduce your carbon footprint by leaving the car at home.

Discover the North Downs Way Rail Trails

There’s a choice of both circular and linear routes, and ranging from 5 to 11 miles. As you walk, the maps offers insights into local landmarks, history and wildlife to look out for, as well as detailed instructions to help you find your way.

Read more about the new Rail Trail routes that are perfect for exploring in the spring and summer months. Read on to choose your next adventure…

1). Knockholt to Dunton Green

A 6-mile walk exploring the stunning landscape just outside the London Borough of Bromley. The route includes traditional Kentish villages and farmland as well as some panoramic vistas from the Downs towards Westerham and Sevenoaks. Red kites are increasingly common in this part of Kent, having made a significant comeback from near extinction thanks to conservation and reintroduction programs; they can often be seen soaring over the Downs, their distinctive forked tails and reddish brown wings making them easily identifiable. Just a few miles from Greater London, Halstead has a surprisingly rural feel thanks to its history of fruit picking. The author Edith Nesbit spent time here in the 1870s, and her book The Railway Children is thought to be based on her time living at Halstead Hall, whose garden is close to the railway line. Terrain: mainly fields and tracks with some steep slopes and some road walking.

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2). Shoreham & Otford Circular

A 5-mile walk exploring the stunning countryside of the Darent Valley, the walk includes two historic villages as well as rare chalk grassland meadows, woodland and farmland. More than 200 years ago, influential landscape artist, Samuel Palmer, described the Darent Valley as an ‘earthly paradise’. The route  also includes sections of the North Downs Way and the Darent Valley Path. Much of the route offers panoramic views through a mix of stunning landscapes of chalk grassland, woodland and marshes, and there are some impressive views from Otford Mount with extensive and far-reaching views across the Darent Valley and beyond. Fackenden Down comprises high quality chalk grassland supporting fragrant, pyramidal and man orchids, together with characteristic downland butterflies such as brown argus, common blue and dark green fritillary. As well as this, four species of reptile can also be found here. Otford village boasts a wealth of heritage to explore including the Archbishop’s Palace, the Otford Heritage Trail and even a listed duck pond, and visitors can look out for the 10 heritage panels around the village along the trail. Terrain: Mainly fields and tracks with some steep slopes.

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3). Borough Green to Otford

A 7.5-mile hike almost entirely along the North Downs Way with far-reaching, panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, the walk includes the two historic villages of Wrotham and Otford as well as rare chalk grassland meadows, woodland and farmland. Located on the Pilgrims’ Way, the historic village of Wrotham is characterised by its 13th century church and numerous notable buildings, and it was at Wrotham in May 1536 Henry VIII learned of the execution of Anne Boleyn, allowing him to marry Jane Seymour. Otford boasts a wealth of heritage to explore including the Archbishop’s Palace, the Otford Heritage Trail and even a listed duck pond, and visitors can look out for the 10 heritage panels around the village along the trail. Fine views from the top of the Downs to the Greensand Ridge can be enjoyed for most of the walk. There are numerous pubs and cafés in Borough Green, Wrotham and Otford for a welcome pit stop. Terrain: mainly fields and tracks with some steep slopes.

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4). Cuxton Loop

A varied 6.5-mile route through the Medway Valley and recently designated North Kent Woods and Downs – part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves (NNR) – you will find small villages, woodland, farmland and vineyards. In summer months, the fields around Cuxton transform into colourful wildflower meadows, the perfect habitat for butterflies, bees and other pollinators, and with fabulous views across dry valleys and across the River Medway towards Rochester, this family friendly route packs in a lot. Nestled in the rolling landscapes of the Kent Downs, the NNR is a network of protected sites managed for wildlife, conservation and people, and the reserve is home to ancient woodlands, chalk grasslands and rare species and is the first NNR to include a vineyard; the Silverhand Estate is the largest single organic vineyard in Kent. Terrain: mainly fields and woodland paths which can become muddy in places, with some uphill walking.

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5). Harrietsham Circular

This 5-mile route explores historic village of Harrietsham, a longstanding settlement. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Harrietsham stands on various routes including the historic Pilgrims’ Way. It’s not long before you are out of the village and away from the traffic on this route up on the Downs. Using part of the North Downs Way, it offers some excellent views of the surrounding countryside, with a chance to rest at the historic Ringlestone Inn, which was built in 1533 originally as a hospice or sanctuary for monks. The building retains many features from its long history, not least an inglenook fireplace to welcome travellers after a long day walking or cycling in the area, and interest in the long history of the public house has led to many tales of highwaymen, smugglers and ghosts. Terrain: field paths and tracks, with some moderate slopes.

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6). Charing to Hollingbourne

A 10-mile linear route with four train stations between Charing and Hollingbourne on the North Downs Way, giving options to shorten the route at Lenham or Harrietsham. Following the ancient Pilgrims’ Way towards Canterbury on green lanes with gentle slopes and good surfaces for many users, with views up to the scarp of the North Downs and across farmland on the lower side, passing through typical Kent villages with churches, cottages and local produce. Cherry Downs Orchard is a small morello cherry orchard; reputedly, 20,000 morello and wild cherry trees grew in the area at the turn of the 20th century. Pass Lenham Cross, one of four chalk monuments in Kent, designed as a First World War memorial, created by volunteers from the village and unveiled in September 1922. Pass Brother Percival: the wooden sculpture of Brother Percival; the perfect place for a photo opportunity. Finish with refreshments at the Signal Box Café at Hollingbourne Station. Terrain: mainly wide green lanes and byways, with some gentle climbs but largely flat.

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7). Wye Downs Circular

A scenic 5-mile gentle climb up to and along the North Downs Way National Trail from the historic village of Wye, taking in the iconic Devil’s Kneading Trough; a dramatic dry valley on the Wye Downs carved by Ice Age erosion of chalk. It is now protected as a National Nature Reserve for its rare chalk grassland, orchids, butterflies, and its striking geology make it a designated Geopark Geosite. Wye Crown, the chalk crown above Wye carved in 1902 for Edward VII’s coronation, remains a striking landmark visible across the Downs, drawing walkers, photographers and heritage enthusiasts; today it is made of painted flints, and the hollows in the chalk grassland above the Wye Crown are ancient ironstone extraction pits, likely over a thousand years old, dug into the chalk downs to supply stone for tools and building. Enjoy far reaching and sweeping views all the way to Dungeness. Terrain: fields and tracks, with some steep slopes.

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8). Chilham Loop

This 5-mile trail explores both sides of the Stour Valley, past lovely traditional orchards, through the wonderfully named Old Wives Lees and on to the spectacular views and Neolithic heritage of Julliberrie Downs. Surrounded by timber and plaster buildings dating back to the fifteenth century, with an ancient castle and church at either end, the village square in Chilham gives a keen sense of this area’s history. Julliberrie’s Grave is a 5,000 year old long barrow overlooking the Stour Valley, a place of history, myth, and mystery; believed to be one of Britain’s earliest archaeological sites, it has long inspired curiosity, storytelling, and research. Enjoy lovely views over the Stour Valley from higher ground. Terrain: mainly fields and tracks with some steep slopes, with some road walking.

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9).Shepherdswell to Dover

Explore this 9.5-mile route into Dover from Waldershare Park, passing through Lydden Temple Ewell National Nature Reserve (a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an excellent example of chalk grassland habitat) and following the chalk stream of the Dour, which powered many of the now defunct mills in Dover, down to the English Channel. The village green at Shepherdswell is home to The Bell Inn and St Andrews Church. Take a break at the Monumenta Romana sculpture (part of our North Downs Way Art Trail) on the Waldershare Estate, an old deer park. Although never a monastic estate, the history of Kearsney Abbey can be traced back to the Norman Conquest, and the park as it exists today can be attributed to John Minet Fector, a local banker and merchant, who built a grand mansion on the site between 1820–1822; the park’s Cedar of Lebanon is believed to be one of the oldest in the country. With plenty of local food and drink options on the route and fascinating history as you enter Dover, this route has something for everyone. Finish your journey at the North Downs Way Start/Finish marker and pose for pics on the We are All Winners podium sculpture with Dover Castle and the White Cliffs in the background. Terrain is mainly fields, tracks, some steep slopes, including a descent from Temple Ewell NNR.

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10). Dover to Folkestone

Start this 11-mile route in Dover, taking the North Downs Way along the iconic White Cliffs above The English Channel and enjoying spectacular view all along the clifftops. Pass the Abbot’s Cliff Sound Mirror: a forerunner of radar, acoustic mirrors were built on the south and northeast coasts of England and being located on a public footpath, the Abbots Cliff Sound Mirror is one of the most accessible of these structures. Follow the Heritage Coast above the undulating coast with Samphire Hoe below – a manmade nature reserve created from the spoil of the Channel Tunnel – and explore the hills of Folkestone Downs. Enjoy spectacular views before descending into Folkestone town. Terrain is mostly unsurfaced and steep in many places.

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These rail trails were produced as part of the North Downs Way National Trail and Kent Downs National Landscape’s Putting Down Routes Project. This is funded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes.