DAYSOUT
VALLEY VIEWS AND WOODLAND HUES
LULLINGSTONE IS SET WITHIN THE BEAUTIFUL DARENT VALLEY. WALK HERE DURING THE WINTER AND YOU’ LL BE TREATED TO INSPIRATIONAL WINTER VIEWS OF LULLINGSTONE CASTLE AND VIADUCT ACROSS A PATCHWORK OF FIELDS LINED WITH HEDGEROWS AND BEAUTIFUL CRISP FROST ON MAJESTIC TREES. YOU’ LL PASS THROUGH WOODLAND, ALONG MEADOWS AND PRETTY COUNTRY LANES, AS WELL AS AMBLE THROUGH THE PRETTY KENTISH VILLAGE OF SHOREHAM WITH ITS STREAM FLOWING LAZILY UNDER THE BRIDGE.
This is a delightful walk that takes you through the village of Shoreham before circling round and entering Lullingstone Country Park for the second half of the walk. Setting off from the car park at Lullingstone, you’ ll need to walk to the car park entrance to pick up the footpath that begins your walk. A kissing gate located right next to the car park entrance is the starting point.
You’ ll walk along a meadow’ s edge footpath and will pass the hop shop on your left. They sell lovely lavender products; do stop by if you have the time! Further along just around the bend, you’ ll see a gap in the hedge. Go through the gap and taking care crossing the road, head through the gate opposite into a field.
Crossing the field, look to your left to admire the view of the Darent Valley. Look ahead and see a row of tall trees, cross the stile in the tree line and continue on the track ahead.
Continue to follow the track ahead through the fields and along the river( on your left) before heading over another stile into a wooded area. Continue along the river’ s edge until you reach Mill House and follow the fence line round to a small bridge that crosses the river to continue along the path into the village.
Reaching the end of the path, turn right across the bridge into Shoreham. Here you will find a delightful high street – turn right at the end of the road you’ ll see the village shops and café, this is the perfect time to stop for your main refreshments.
Look out for an opening on your left called The Landway, turn left here and head along the track past the recreation ground. Climb over the stile at the end of the path and follow the steep section of path uphill where you’ ll come across the Shoreham War Memorial.
Reaching a second stile on the uphill climb, take the opportunity to look back and admire fantastic views of the Darent Valley. Cross over the stile to continue uphill on a short steep section of path with some steps. Turn right to follow a well-defined track passing Meenfield Wood on your left.
Further on, go around a gate to continue downhill through a wooded section. After passing another gate, bear left towards the road. Turn right past the junction following signs to Well Hill and Eynsford.
A short distance ahead, turn left into Cockerhurst Road, you’ ll see tall trees either side in their full winter splendour. Follow the road until you see a bungalow on your left. Immediately opposite the bungalow look for an opening in the hedge signed‘ Public Footpath’ and follow the path uphill with more fantastic views when you get to the top.
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