Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks Walking & Cycling Routes

Sevenoaks walk – parkland and parakeets: Head to Knole Park and explore the estate on this 4-mile (6.4km) circular trail. There’s also a 8.5-mile (13.6km) circular walk between Knole Park and Ightham Mote.

Greensand Way: Wander along a section of the Greensand Way which runs along the south edge of the Knole Park estate.

• Heading west takes you towards Ide Hill and Toys Hill (near Emmetts Garden and Chartwell) where you can head on a 4-mile (6.44km) circular trail.
• Or, head east along the Greensand Way towards Shipbourne to reach One Tree Hill and Ightham Mote. The 5-mile (8.05km) circular Shipbourne Walk offers views of Ightham Mote along the trail.

Alternatively, head on one of the many Darent Valley Rail Trails in and around Sevenoaks, some of which run along sections of the Darent Valley Path.

Knole Park

Knole Park was originally built as an archbishop’s palace. With 1,000 acres of grounds, the 600 year old estate takes in grand courtyards, a tranquil Orangery and winding parkland which is still populated by wild deer. Visit the Great Hall and The Gatehouse Tower, and explore the collections of textiles and paintings.

Accessibility: Only the Great Hall is accessible for wheelchair users but there are hard-surfaced paths and a stile-free trail around the grounds | Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed in the house but dogs are welcome in the estate as long as they are on leads

Lilia’s Kitchen

Located in the restored Bat & Ball station building, treat yourself to some freshly made pastries or bread straight from Lilia’s Kitchen. You can also enjoy a range of classic and Malagasy (a blend of French, African, Indian, and Malaysian influences) breakfast and lunch dishes, including a full English breakfast.

Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users with step-free access

Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

Enjoy over 12 acres of historic, family-run gardens including the walled garden, wood garden, rose walk and rock garden. There’s also a hedge maze, a viewpoint with wide views across the Weald of Kent and a cafe where you can pause for a drink and locally-baked pastries.

Accessibility: Less accessible for wheelchair users due to steep and uneven gravel paths around the gardens | Dogs: Dogs allowed but must be on leads

Emmetts Garden

Explore this garden, part of an Edwardian estate, that was created in the 19th century and has sweeping views over the Weald. Enjoy the various gardens that feature a variety of rare trees and plants from around the world including the rose garden, north and south gardens, rock garden and woodland. There’s also a cafe to get a drink and some food, as well as a play area for the children.

Accessibility: Less accessible for wheelchair users, there are steep slopes and steps in places | Dogs: Dogs allowed but must be on leads | Bicycles: Cycle parking is available

Chartwell

Visit the home of Sir Winston Churchill, former prime minister of the UK. Explore the rose and walled kitchen gardens, wander around the lakes in the wider estate and see the largest single collection of Winston Churchill’s paintings in the art studio. There’s also a cafe to stop at for lunch or a drink.

Directions: Buses run to Mapleton Road from Edenbridge train station (Metrobus 236 service between Lingfield and Oxted), then walk down the country road to Chartwell.

Accessibility: Less wheelchair accessible, the ground floor of the house can be accessed via a ramp but parts of the grounds are uneven with slopes or steps | Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed in the house and studio but dogs are welcome on leads in the grounds and the cafe | Bicycles: Cycle parking is available

Ide Hill Community Shop

Stop off at the community shop for local Kentish produce, including fresh fruit and veg, baked goods, meats, dairy, drinks, confectionary and flowers. You can also enjoy a warm drink and sample some delicious cakes, scones and traybakes in the cafe.

Directions: Follow the Greensand Way from the outskirts of the Knole Park estate westwards to reach Ide Hill Community Shop.

Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users via a ramp | Dogs: Dogs are welcome outside on the terrace

Ightham Mote

See the 14th century moated manor house and gardens, set in an estate of over 500 acres. Enjoy the 14 acres of garden, pleasure grounds, orchards, lakes and woodland. There’s also a natural play area for the kids and a cafe serving hot and cold food.

Directions: Follow the Greensand Way from the outskirts of the Knole Park estate eastwards to reach Ightham Mote.

Accessibility: Only the ground floor of the house is accessible for wheelchair users but there is an accessible route through the garden | Dogs: Only assistance dogs allowed in the house and enclosed garden but dogs are are welcome on leads everywhere else | Bicycles: Cycle parking is available

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve

Previously a sand and gravel quarry, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve was the first example of a gravel pit site being developed for nature conservation. Discover the reserve’s 73 hectares including 5 lakes, woodland, marshes and sensory elemental gardens.

There’s also a visitor centre, with a cafe and displays showing the history of the site.

Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users with step-free access to the visitor centre, 3 hides and most of the nature trail | Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed | Bicycles: Cycle parking is available

One Tree Hill

Wander through this tranquil Site of Special Scientific Interest and take in the sweeping views of the Weald of Kent. There are a series of paths and bridleways through the woods, making it ideal for walkers and horse riders.

In the spring, enjoy the beautiful displays of bluebells and wild garlic.

Directions: Follow the Greensand Way from the outskirts of the Knole Park estate eastwards to reach One Tree Hill.

Accessibility: Not accessible for wheelchair users due to uneven ground and steep slopes | Dogs: Dogs are allowed

Toys Hill

Take a walk through more than 200 acres of woodland in this Grade I site of national importance for nature conservation. See if you can spot some of the wildlife and admire views over the Weald of Kent.

Directions: Follow the Greensand Way from the outskirts of the Knole Park estate eastwards to reach Toys Hill National Trust car park.

Accessibility: There is a short wheelchair route but the ground is uneven and has long but low slopes | Dogs: Dogs are allowed

The Mount Vineyard

The Mount Vineyard is a family run vineyard producing a range of English wines. Spend the afternoon discovering the wonders of viticulture and the history of the vineyard with a wine tasting.

You can also enjoy a sharing platter or freshly made pizza using local produce in the restaurant, or, head into the Ten Acres farm shop.

Directions: Begin at Bat & Ball station and take the train to Shoreham, then walk 500m towards the village centre and turn right into the driveway to reach The Mount Vineyard.

Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users | Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be on leads

Castle Farm

Visit the UK’s largest lavender farm situated in the Darent Valley. The farm is open all year, with local Kentish produce including their own apples, hop garlands, beef and lavender products sold in the farm shop.

From late June to late July, see the famous lavender fields as they bloom in vibrant purple hues, providing a picturesque setting for leisurely strolls. You can also book a guided tour for a behind-the-scenes look at the process of lavender farming and how oil is extracted from the flowers in the onsite distillery.

Directions: Begin at Bat & Ball station and take the train to Shoreham, then walk into the village and follow the Darent Valley Rail Trails – Along the Valley Floor trail (step 9 to step 12) until you reach Castle Farm.

Accessibility: Less accessible for wheelchair users, the field entrances and margins are mown grass | Dogs: Only assistance dogs allowed in the farm shop but dogs are welcome on leads in the lavender fields

Lullingstone Country Park

Walk through 460 acres of chalk grassland and ancient woodlands that include over 300 veteran oak, beech, ash, hornbeam and sweet chestnut trees. With 4 specially waymarked trails, a permanent orienteering course, play area for children and a cafe, you’ll find plenty of things to do.

There’s even a 6.3km trail for horse riders to explore the park!

Directions: Begin at Bat & Ball station and take the train to Shoreham, then walk into the village and follow the Darent Valley Rail Trails – Along the Valley Floor trail (step 9 to step 13) until you reach Lullingstone Country Park.

Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users with step-free access to the visitor centre and a flat riverside route but this is unsurfaced | Dogs: Dogs are allowed

Lullingstone Castle & World Garden

Discover one of England’s oldest family estates and it’s World Garden designed by Tom Hart Dyke, the heir and 20th generation to live at the castle. See the some 8,000 plant varieties collected from around the world which have been planted by continent of origin, including the world’s most dangerous plant and the hottest chilli.

Directions: Begin at Bat & Ball station and take the train to Shoreham, then walk into the village and follow the Darent Valley Rail Trails – Along the Valley Floor trail (step 9 to step 13) until you reach Lullingstone Castle & World Garden.

Accessibility: Less accessible for wheelchair users, only the ground floor of the house is wheelchair accessible but the World Garden is accessible with the exception of the polytunnels | Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed

Lullingstone Roman Villa

Step back in time and discover the Roman villa, one of the best surviving ones in Britain. Built in around AD 100 by a series of successive wealthy owners, it includes beautiful mosaics, a heated bath suite and an underground pagan ‘cult room’.

Directions: Begin at Bat & Ball station and take the train to Shoreham, then walk into the village and follow the Darent Valley Rail Trails – Along the Valley Floor trail (step 9 to step 14) until you reach Lullingstone Roman Villa. Alternatively, take the train from Bat & Ball to Eynsford, then follow the Darent Valley Rail Trails – Veterans and Lavender trail until you reach the Roman Villa.

Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users with step-free access, except for the shrine outside the visitor centre | Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be on leads

Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation

Experience one of the UK’s original bird of prey centres, with over 30 species of birds, reptiles and mammals. Enjoy daily flying demonstrations, or book an experience and meet animals including huskies, meerkats, alpacas, eagles and owls up close.

Directions: Begin at Bat & Ball station and take the train to Shoreham, then walk into the village and follow the Darent Valley Rail Trails – Along the Valley Floor trail (step 9 to step 15), turning left before the viaduct and following the road for 500m to reach Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation. Alternatively, take the train from Bat & Ball to Eynsford, then follow the Darent Valley Rail Trails – Viaduct and Villas trail in reverse, heading towards Swanley, to reach Eagle Heights.

Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users with step-free access to the tearoom and wheelchair-friendly paths | Dogs: Dogs are not allowed

Eynsford Viaduct

Stroll under this Grade II listed viaduct that stands 23 metres above the floor of the Darent Valley. Built in the 19th century, the viaduct has nine brick arches and is used by trains on the London to Sevenoaks route.

Directions: Begin at Bat & Ball station and take the train to Shoreham, then walk into the village and follow the Darent Valley Rail Trails – Along the Valley Floor trail (from step 9), passing under the viaduct as you head towards Eynsford.

Eynsford Castle

See the remains of an early Norman ‘enclosure castle’ with its full height stone curtain walls. Built in the 11th century, the castle was part of an inheritance dispute in which it was vandalised, ultimately being abandoned and falling into disrepair.

Directions: Begin at Bat & Ball station and take the train to Shoreham, then walk into the village and follow the Darent Valley Rail Trails – Along the Valley Floor trail (from step 9) until you reach Eynsford at the end of the walk. Alternatively, take the train to Eynsford and walk into the village centre to reach Eynsford Castle.

Accessibility: Less accessible for wheelchair users, some areas accessed only by steps | Dogs: Dogs allowed but must be on leads