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55 places to visit

in the Kent Downs National Landscape

Welcome to “Top Downs” – a celebration of 55 years of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty! Nestled in the heart of the picturesque county of Kent, this stunning region boasts breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and a plethora of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

The Kent Downs has been captivating visitors and locals alike with its unparalleled beauty and abundant heritage since its establishment in July 1968. To commemorate the 55th anniversary of the designation of the AONB, we’ve curated a collection of our favourite 55 places to visit that showcases the very best the region has to offer. From charming villages steeped in history to panoramic viewpoints that will leave you in awe, we think there is something here for everyone to enjoy!

So, grab your walking boots, pack your camera, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure #UpTheKentDowns.

Person standing at information plaque with After the Black Gold sculpture. Sunny day.North Downs Way Art Trail tags‘After The Black Gold’ By ChannelTaking inspiration from local mining heritage, this purposely simple piece takes the form of a timber structure supporting two lean-to roof pitches which together provide… AyleshamSave ‘After The Black Gold’ By Channel to favourites
Parks & open spaces tagsAshenbank Wood Ancient WoodlandAshenbank Wood is a peaceful ancient woodland in Gravesend home to rare animals and plants, including a dazzling bluebell display in spring. GravesendSave Ashenbank Wood Ancient Woodland to favourites
Two people seated on posts, overlooking Blue Bell Hill grass fields view on a sunny day.Parks & open spaces tagsBlue Bell Hill Picnic SiteBlue Bell Hill Picnic Site offers magnificent panoramic views over the Medway Valley and is an ideal spot for both walkers and picnics. WaldersladeSave Blue Bell Hill Picnic Site to favourites
Autumnal-white-horse-stoneBoxley WarrenBoxley is a story of hope and recovery. From slopes once scarred by off road bike users, beautiful chalk grassland is re-emerging.Save Boxley Warren to favourites
Grass path through woodland. The trees have green and yellow leaves. Bluebells are on the woodland floor.Bredhurst WoodBredhurst Wood is coppiced ancient woodland bordered by important and dramatic chalk grassland.Save Bredhurst Wood to favourites
Sweeping grassland views with cloudy skiesParks & open spaces tagsBurham DownBurham Down shares nearby Blue Bell Hill's spectacular views over the Weald, and adds beautiful high chalk meadows, making it very important for local wildlife. BurhamSave Burham Down to favourites
Coastal path, along cliff edge with Sound Mirror. Sea on the right.Chalk and Channel WayThe Chalk and Channel Way is a walking and cycling route along the top of the White Cliffs of Dover, linking the harbours of Dover…Save Chalk and Channel Way to favourites
View of Chartwell from the grounds. On a sunny day, with blossom on tree in foreground.ChartwellHome to Winston Churchill for over 40 years, Chartwell sits within one of the Kent Downs' finest historic parklands.Save Chartwell to favourites
Field of yellow flowers, in the sun, with trees and hedges in the distance.Cherry DownsLenham Orchard, also known as Cherry Downs, is an open access picnic site with wide spreading views across the greensand ridge and onto to Romney…Save Cherry Downs to favourites
Chevening-sweeping-Landscape-CheveningA small village with a church, a handful of cottages and a scattering of farms are all that make up the quiet village of Chevening…Save Chevening to favourites
Two men in caps walk in front of a pub through a village, with daffodils in the foregroundChilhamThe historic village of Chilham, between Ashford and Canterbury, is one of the most attractive villages in the Kent Downs.Save Chilham to favourites
Cobham Mausoleum with blue skies.Cobham Wood and MausoleumCobham Wood is 190 acres of restored wood pasture located within the historic Cobham Park, home to the Darnley Mausoleum.Save Cobham Wood and Mausoleum to favourites
Close-up-Coldrum-Stones-landscapeColdrum StonesOne of the best surviving examples of the “Medway Megaliths”, a group of Neolithic monuments found in the lower valley of the River Medway.Save Coldrum Stones to favourites
Coppice Oratory sculptureNorth Downs Way Art Trail tags‘Coppice Oratory’ By Tchonova + La RoiMade from coppiced chestnut directly from the forest woodland, this four-metre-high wooden sculpture is a key lookout point on the North Downs Way, a space… ChilhamSave ‘Coppice Oratory’ By Tchonova + La Roi to favourites
Brockhill Park sign and footpathCountry ParksThere are many Country Parks to explore within the Kent Downs National Landscape offering outdoor activities, trails, visitor centres and plenty of open space to…Save Country Parks to favourites
Darent Valley PathWalking tagsDarent Valley PathThe beauty of the Darent Valley has inspired generations of artists and writers eager to capture the essence of this classic English countryside with its… DartfordSave Darent Valley Path to favourites
Trees in Denge wood, with sunlight shining through. Green and yellow leaves.Woodland tagsDenge and Eggringe Woods and Bonsai BankDenge and Eggringe Woods are a large areas of adjoining woodland south of Canterbury, rich with orchids and butterflies. CanterburySave Denge and Eggringe Woods and Bonsai Bank to favourites
Steep sided, chalk grassland valley with far reaching views.Devil’s Kneading TroughThe Devil's Kneading Trough is one of the largest and most famous steep-sided dry valleys that characterise the hills of the Kent Downs National Landscape.Save Devil’s Kneading Trough to favourites
View of Dover Castle and surrounding grounds. Clear, sunny day.Dover CastleBuilt on a high chalk cliff, in a strategic position facing threats from across the Channel, Dover castle has always been an important part of…Save Dover Castle to favourites
Two people walking towards a village church with houses to the leftElhamDiscover a historic and picturesque village in the heart of the Kent Downs.Save Elham to favourites
Group of people having picnic on bench, overlooking view of Etchinghill.Etchinghill BenchDiscover the magnificent carved bench near the Tolsford Hill Radio mast on the outskirts of Etchinghill.Save Etchinghill Bench to favourites
Farthing CommonFarthing Common is one of the highest points of the North Downs and on a clear day enjoys far reaching views across Kent, Sussex and…Save Farthing Common to favourites
Feel Our Voice sculptured bench, surrounded with some trees and autumn leaves.North Downs Way Art Trail tags‘Feel Our Voice’ By Kezia ColeThe parametric design enables light to filter through the piece, creating a visual ripple as the contours of the bench mirror words spoken by local… ChilhamSave ‘Feel Our Voice’ By Kezia Cole to favourites
View of Sugarloaf hill and edge of Folkestone townParks & open spaces tagsFolkestone DownsFolkestone Downs offers dramatic views across Folkestone and the Channel. The steep downland also provides a habitat for a large range of wildlife. FolkestoneSave Folkestone Downs to favourites
Godmersham House, surrounded by grass fields and trees, in autumn.GodmershamGodmersham Park, between Ashford and Canterbury, was often visited by Jane Austen and is said to have been her inspiration for Emma, Pride and Prejudice…Save Godmersham to favourites
Sunset view from Holly Hill. Two people at bench.Parks & open spaces tagsHolly Hill WoodOne of the highest points in Kent, Holly Hill is a wooded hilltop retreat surrounded by rolling fields leading down to the River Medway. HallingSave Holly Hill Wood to favourites
Grass field and trees in distance, view across Hucking Estate.Parks & open spaces tagsHucking Estate WoodlandHucking Estate is much more than just woodland – this entire area is being preserved as a wonderful remnant of the traditional rural English landscape. HuckingSave Hucking Estate Woodland to favourites
Hythe Royal Military Canal with trees along the water edge.Cycling tagsHythe and the Royal Military CanalThe Royal Military Canal offers a variety of cycle routes so you can choose from a 4.5 mile (7.2km) mainly off-road ride following the banks… HytheSave Hythe and the Royal Military Canal to favourites
Grass fields and woodland over Ide Hill, with blue skies.Ide HillIde Hill offers impressive views of the Kent Weald, an area of semi-natural woodland lying on the steep sides of the Greensand Ridge with connections…Save Ide Hill to favourites
Parks & open spaces tagsIghtham MoteThere are a some truly beautiful country walks to be enjoyed on the grounds of Ightham Mote, a 700-year-old Grade I listed National Trust property.… IghthamSave Ightham Mote to favourites
Two people walk through kissing gate at edge of woodlandParks & open spaces tagsKemsing DownFeaturing steep chalk downland and ancient woodland, Kemsing Down is a great place to enjoy both beautiful views and isolated woodland walks. SevenoaksSave Kemsing Down to favourites
Elham-valley-rows-vineyardKent Downs VineyardsThe Kent Downs is fast becoming well-known for producing quality wines with a number of vineyards opening in recent years.Save Kent Downs Vineyards to favourites
Bluebells and tall trees in King's Wood. Trees have light green leaves.Parks & open spaces tagsWoodland tagsKing’s WoodKing's Wood is a large forest near Challock that combines opportunities for appreciating art and nature in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. AshfordSave King’s Wood to favourites
View of grass fields and trees, surrounding Kit's Coty House. Sunny day with blue skies.Kit’s Coty HouseDating back over 4,500 years, Kit's Coty House is a Neolithic burial chamber located off the Pilgrim's Way near Aylesford.Save Kit’s Coty House to favourites
Deer grazing in parkland in front of large country houseKnoleSet at the heart of a magnificent 1,000-acre deer park, Knole is one of Kent’s hidden gems and is managed by the National Trust.Save Knole to favourites
Two people with raincoats sitting on Monumenta Romana sculpture bench.North Downs Way Art Trail tags‘Monumenta Romana’ By Charles Holland ArchitectsFabricated from recycled salvaged timber, experience 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape of the North Downs Way National Trail.Save ‘Monumenta Romana’ By Charles Holland Architects to favourites
Walking tagsNorth Downs Way National TrailThe 153 mile (245 km) North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Dover offers spectacular views and a fascinating heritage, passing through the Surrey… FarnhamSave North Downs Way National Trail to favourites
Park Gate Down Nature ReserveThis superb Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is an area of ancient chalk grassland on the east side of a dry valley, south east…Save Park Gate Down Nature Reserve to favourites
Father and sun standing in dark woodland, backlit by sunWoodland tagsPerry WoodPerry Wood is a truly unique spot amid the rolling chalk of the North Downs. With lovely woodland walks, a picnic site, and panoramic views… FavershamSave Perry Wood to favourites
Close-up of flowers in meadow.Parks & open spaces tagsQueendown WarrenQueendown Warren is a small reserve offering walks on a steeply sloping chalky hillside. The reserve has many wild flowers including ten species of orchid. SittingbourneSave Queendown Warren to favourites
View across arable land with red poppies and blue skyParks & open spaces tagsRanscombe FarmRanscombe Farm Reserve is famous for its wild flowers. It has an extensive network of footpaths and spectacular views of the Medway Valley and the… RochesterSave Ranscombe Farm to favourites
Couple walking in grassland beneath white cliffs of DoverSamphire HoeSamphire Hoe is a 30-hectare nature reserve at the foot of the famous Shakespeare Cliff, between Dover and Folkestone.Save Samphire Hoe to favourites
People walking towards the 'Sedile Francigena' sculpture benchNorth Downs Way Art Trail tags‘Sedile Francigena’ By PolysemicAn incredible piece of engineering and a beautiful work of art, which in Latin translates to seat or bench, the base is created from local… CanterburySave ‘Sedile Francigena’ By Polysemic to favourites
ShorehamWelcome to Shoreham, an idyllic village in the Darent Valley with links to English painter, Samuel Palmer.Save Shoreham to favourites
cows-at-Stelling-minnisStelling MinnisPerched high on the Kent Downs plateau sits the ancient common of Stelling Minnis.Save Stelling Minnis to favourites
White cliffs and sand ripples at St Margaret's Bay. Cliffs on the right and blue skies.St Margaret’s BayThe spectacular countryside and landscape surrounding St Margaret’s is steeped in history and can be appreciated all year round.Save St Margaret’s Bay to favourites
Long grass field slopping down, with trees in the distance and blue sky.Syndale Valley WalkEnjoy a walk through Syndale Valley, a landscape of woodland, open grassland, fields and parkland in the Mid Kent Downs.Save Syndale Valley Walk to favourites
Public foot path sign, overlooking White Cliffs of Dover, with green and sea in the distance.Parks & open spaces tagsThe White Cliffs of DoverThe White Cliffs of Dover are one of this country's most spectacular natural features. Rising out of the English Channel they are a dramatic and… DoverSave The White Cliffs of Dover to favourites
Thurnham CastleEasily accessible through White Horse Wood Country Park, discover the ruins of Thurnham Castle just 3 miles north-east of Maidstone.Save Thurnham Castle to favourites
Parks & open spaces tagsToys HillA National Trust woodland, Toys Hill is a Grade I site of national importance for nature conservation, and one of the highest points in Kent. SevenoaksSave Toys Hill to favourites
Autumn landscape, across church and houses. Trees in foreground and distance.Village ChurchesDistinctive architecture can be seen in the historic villages and their churches, with a range of local materials used including, flint, Ragstone, timber and tile…Save Village Churches to favourites
North Downs Way Art Trail tags‘We are all Winners’ By Alma TischlerwoodA winner’s podium in the shape of a bench, playfully depicting both the present and the ancient world. A place to relax and reflect, signifying… DoverSave ‘We are all Winners’ By Alma Tischlerwood to favourites
WyeExplore the medieval village of Wye, nestled in the hills of the Kent Downs National Landscape, and perhaps try the ale at one of the…Save Wye to favourites
Wye Valley view, green fields and trees in distance. Bright day.Parks & open spaces tagsWye National Nature ReserveWye National Nature Reserve has a beautiful and varied landscape of chalk downland, woodland and scrub on the steep slope of the North Downs, and… AshfordSave Wye National Nature Reserve to favourites

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