Queen Anne facade of Lullingstone Castle conceals a Tudor mansion
Walk through a parking area and onto a lane by the castle’s gatehouse entrance. Keep on this lane for almost ½ mile/800 metres, but immediately before reaching Lullingstone Roman Villa, turn left on a footpath rising among trees.
Lullingstone Roman Villa dates from about AD100, but was enlarged over some 300 years of occupation to house what was probably an important Roman official. There were baths and underfloor heating, a Christian chapel, and superb mosaic floors on public display now via English Heritage (www.english-heritage.org.uk).
Above the trees the way continues to climb, and near the head of the slope a path breaks off to the right. Ignoring this, continue ahead alongside trees, then veer left through the trees to cross the open brow of a hill with long views over the Darent Valley. Now the path slopes downhill, passes between scrub trees into a dip, then rises on the other side. When it forks keep ahead on the right branch, soon coming to an open meadow which you cross along its right-hand edge. On the far side the path divides again. Take the left branch (the other is a bridleway) which takes you through a long strip of woodland with a golf course on the left. At a crossing track continue directly ahead through another section of woodland, but when you emerge from this at a paved way on the golf course, turn right towards a car park and the clubhouse.
About 150 metres before reaching the car park, note a large wooden signpost. At this point turn left on what is part of a circular walk. Aim for a marker post and continue into Upper Beechen Wood where a broad path takes you down a slope, at the foot of which you cross a fairway – beware flying golf balls! Continue up the grass slope opposite, but very soon veer left on a path rising through more woodland. At the top of the slope come to crosstracks and maintain direction to a ladder stile and a gate. An enclosed path now leads ahead to a field, which you cross to Redmans Lane at TQ 510 637.
Turn left, and after about 100 metres bear right on a concrete driveway leading to two bungalows. At the end of the second garden boundary the path enters a large field. Keep to the right-hand edge, and at the far corner cross a stile into a sloping meadow, with fine views to the steep scarp slope of the Downs. Hills of woodland and meadow fold into neat valleys ahead.
Descend alongside a fence to the bottom left-hand corner where you come onto a lane opposite a cottage at TQ 515 628. Bear left, following the lane through an avenue of mature trees, then turn right at a T-junction. There’s an interesting memorial stone up a few steps on the right. Continue up the lane to another junction. Ignore the left turn for Shoreham and stay on the right fork for a short distance. On coming to a cottage on the left, turn onto a track immediately left of the driveway. This track runs above and to the right of a sunken pathway, veering to the right and rising steadily. When it forks at the entrance to Meenfield Wood continue directly ahead, with steep meadows sweeping down to Shoreham on your left.
The way takes you above a large memorial cross cut into the chalk slope, with a dedication to the men of Shoreham who lost their lives in the 1914–18 war. From here there is a splendid view over the village and the Darent Valley. Continue ahead as far as a crossing path where you descend to the village, passing the Shoreham Aircraft Museum where teas are served (open weekends from May to September www.shoreham-aircraft-museum.co.uk). Turn right along High Street, then left into Church Street.
Shoreham is an attractive village with a number of tile-hung or flint-walled cottages, and a picturesque bridge over the Darent, a stream that adds much to Shoreham’s charm. There’s a railway station on the London (Victoria or Blackfriars) to Ashford line, and a bus service from Sevenoaks. At the railway station the Shoreham Society has developed an interesting Countryside Centre.
Seen from the walk, the Darent flows at the bottom of Shoreham gardens
Wander down Church Street past the weatherboarded Kings Arms with its unusual ostler’s box, then cross the Darent and bear left by the war memorial. Approaching the entrance to The Water House (where Samuel Palmer the artist once lived) veer left on a surfaced path accompanying the stream. When a footbridge allows, cross to the left bank where the continuing route is waymarked for the Darent Valley Path. It continues as a fenced path. When the fencing ends keep along the right headland of a field, then cross through the middle of the next field to a concrete farm road. Continue ahead and eventually come onto a country road by some houses. At this point veer slightly left, up steps and into a field where you follow its right-hand boundary for about 500 metres to Lullingstone Park Visitor Centre.
WALK 2
Shoreham to Romney Street
| Start/Finish | Church of St Peter & St Paul, Shoreham (TQ 523 616) |
| Distance | 5 miles/8km |
| Maps | OS Explorer 147 |
| Refreshments | Pubs in Shoreham |
| Access | Via A225, 3 miles/5km north of Sevenoaks. Nearest railway station: Shoreham. Buses from Sevenoaks. |
| Parking | Public car park in Filston Lane, Shoreham (TQ 518 615) |
‘Everything connected with the village in those happy times,’ wrote 19th-century artist Samuel Palmer of the seven years he lived in Shoreham, ‘seemed wrapped about with a sentiment of cosy quiet antiquity, full of association that carried you far back into the pastoral life of Merry England years ago.’ There’s something of that association today, for the Darent Valley – in which Shoreham nestles between ramparts of the North Downs – is surprisingly unspoilt, having happily been spared the ravages of the M25 whose route had once been proposed to go through it.
Both village and valley are among the gems of this corner of Kent, with lots of opportunities for the walker. But Shoreham features only at the start and end of this particular walk, for the Darent is soon deserted in order to cross the eastern wall of the Downs to enter a hidden valley whose existence will surprise newcomers to the area.
Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Shoreham lies in a valley known to have been a major site of Stone Age settlements. A castle was built here in the 13th century – Castle Farm stands on its ruins – and two watermills once drew power from the Darent: a corn mill to the south, a paper mill to the north. During World War II, Shoreham was the most heavily bombed of all UK villages.
From the heart of the village, pass through Shoreham churchyard into an open field, where you turn left. Walk along the field edge until coming to a crossing path, then turn right. This path soon crosses the railway line and brings you to the A225. Cross with care and find a footpath sign about 50 metres to the left. Here you go through a hedge and aim half-left across a field to the opposite scrub boundary, then out to a drive below a house. Across the drive the continuing path slants up the edge of the garden and the wooded hillside beyond. It’s a steep climb nearly all the way.
Gaining the crest of the Downs come to a crossing path and bear left. The way eventually eases through woodland and emerges to open fields. From the woodland corner proceed straight across the field ahead, in effect making for the far corner. A few paces right of this, enter woods again and begin a steep descent among yew trees.
The path emerges into a surprisingly peaceful valley. Enclosed by hedges
