DAYSOUT
Slow Travel in Kent cont...
FOR FAMILIES
Planning a day out for the family can be challenging, especially as the seasons begin to change, but the walking trail from Ightham Mote( nationaltrust. org. uk) to Knole Park( nationaltrust. org. uk) guarantees an adventure for the entire family, with Ightham Mote providing a full day out to explore secondhand bookshops, gardens, cafes and the 14th-century medieval mote house.
The walk from Ightham Mote to Knole Park is an eight-and-a-half-mile loop through the two spectacular National Trust properties, with deer sightings and stretching views across the Weald of Kent’ s historical landscape.
Along the way, you will see a number of brooks and natural springs alongside plenty of charming pitstops for coffee including The Brewhouse Café( nationaltrust. org. uk) at Knole Park, which serves barista coffee and an array of decadent treats.
DARENT VALLEY PATH
Close by, the Darent Valley Path( kentdowns. org. uk) is a 19-mile walking path passing through the Kent Downs to villages such as Otford, Shoreham and Eynsford. All three villages are known for their historical and traditional landmarks presenting the rustic simplicity of English heritage, with cosy pubs and scenic views from each village.
The 19-mile route is estimated to take between six and nine hours to complete, following the River Darent from the banks of the River Thames in Dartford to the Greensand Hills above Sevenoaks. The route is mostly spent on flat and gentle gradients with occasional hills, so it makes for a leisurely day out exploring the Kentish landscape.
Heading southeast of Darent Valley Path is Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest( forestryengland. uk), which spans a 2,000- acre radius of substantial woodland. The park allows families to be adventurous and follow cycle routes weaving through stands of pine and sweet chestnut. The forest is ideal for walkers and runners, but is extremely popular for its cycling trails, which encourage families to explore the forest in a new light.
One of the most popular cycling routes is a 5.6-mile family trail route, which overlooks the beautiful woodland setting of Bedgebury along gravel paths with only gradual inclines and occasional hills, which lead to a shared forest road through the woodland.
BEDGEBURY PINETUM
© Forestry England
KNOLE PARK
© National Trust
58 • www. insidekent. co. uk