The London-based hiking group for people in their 20s - 30s.
Stuart B.
A fast paced walk that starts in the North Downs AONB, and then after plenty of climbs around there, heads south past Ightham Village, the orchards and woods of the Bourne Valley (the latter of which may have a distinctive whiff of the wild garlic that covers the ground) and to the picturesque National Trust building of Ightham Mote. After this, the walk heads along the Greensand Ridge to Knole Park and finishes in Sevenoaks Town Centre. The walk also passes through plenty of woodland where hopefully the bluebells will have started to bloom.
Bring a packed lunch - the lunch stop will be at Ightham Church (in a graveyard, naturally) at 12 miles' distance (so make sure to have a substantial breakfast) where there is a pub nearby for drinks only. There will also be mini breaks at Kemsing Village (4 miles distance) and Ightham Mote (16 miles), both of which have public toilets (the latter also has a cafe which should still be open when we get there). There will be plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from in Sevenoaks Town Centre at the end.
This will be a fast paced walk with a total ascent of over 950 metres, so a good level of fitness is required.
Travel: Take the 9:29 from London Charing Cross (Waterloo East: 9:32, London Bridge 9:38) arrive at Otford at 10:07.
If there are delays, then services often start at London Bridge, so it is recommended to get the train from there if possible.
For those travelling from within the London travelcard zone, contactless (but not oyster) can be used at both the start and end stations (but a railcard discount cannot be applied). Otherwise, buy a return to Sevenoaks.
Meet just outside the main station building at Oftord Railway Station - car park side.
Otford Station
Sevenoaks
