Best walks in Kent by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in Kent and plan your next day of green.
Margate Station to Broadstairs Station
1h 30m direct from London St. Pancras International.
11km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
Beginner-friendly: Just keep the sea on your left and follow it to Broadstairs.
Very popular and busy.
Highlights: Margate and Broadstairs.
Lunch stop: the Captain Digby (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Tartar Frigate, the Neptune's Hall, Siam Kitchen, the Magnet Micropub, or the Prince Albert.
Buying train tickets: Buy a return ticket to Margate (it’s fine to embark at Broadstairs for the return journey, because Broadstairs is en route to Margate).
Borough Green & Wrotham Station to Sevenoaks Station
30m direct from London Bridge.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
An essential walk! Greensand hills, apple orchards, woodland paths, streams, deer park, open parkland, and historic manor grounds. Mostly secluded. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Ightham Mote (14th century manor; a visit easily fits into a walk schedule), Knole House (enormous aristocratic estate, associated with the Bloomsbury Group; well worth a visit but consumes a day in itself), and Knole Park.
Lunch stops: the Plough (2h–3h in), or Ightham Mote café (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Chequers, the Restoration, or the Sennockian.
Otford Station Circular via the Darent Valley
30m direct from London Bridge.
Tough: steep ascents. 13km. 4h–6h30.
A rambler favourite! North Downs hills, chalk woodland, bluebell woods, open commons, grassy fields, disused golf course, Darent Valley riverbank, and quaint village. Can be muddy.
Lunch stops in Shoreham (1h30–2h in): the Samuel Palmer, the Kings Arms, or the Mount Vineyard.
End-of-walk rewards: the Crown, the Bull, or the Woodman.
Ramsgate Station to Margate Station
1h 15m direct from London St. Pancras International.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Low chalk cliffs, sandy bays and coves, cliff-top grassland, seaside promenades, and historic coastal towns. Very popular and busy. Check tide timings.
Highlights: Margate and Broadstairs.
Lunch stops: the Royal Victoria Pavilion (30m–1h in), or Forts Café (1h30–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Mechanical Elephant, or the Cinque Ports.
Leigh Station to Tunbridge Wells Station
45m from London Bridge, with one change.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Rolling Kent hills, pastoral river valleys, parkland, woods, lakes, and commons extending into town. Can be muddy.
Lunch stop: the Leicester Arms Pub (1h–2h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Mount Edgcumbe, the Grove Tavern, the Compasses, the Bedford, or the Claremont.
Penshurst Station Circular via Chiddingstone
45m from London Bridge, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
A rambler favourite! Stately home.
Highlights: Chiddingstone Village and Penshurst Place (worth a visit but needs a day in itself).
Lunch stops in Chiddingstone (1h–1h30 in): the Tulip Tree, or the Castle Inn. Lunch stops in Penshurst (2h–3h30 in): the Leicester Arms Pub, or Penshurst Place.
End-of-walk reward: the Little Brown Jug.
Charing Station to Chilham Station
45m from London St. Pancras International, with one change.
Tough: 21km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
A rambler favourite! Penultimate section of the Pilgrim's Way to Canterbury.
Highlights: Canterbury and Chilham.
Lunch stops: the Flying Horse (2h–3h in), or Perry Court Tea Room (2h–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Chilham Square, the White Horse, Chilham, or the Woolpack Inn, Chilham.
Chilham Station to Canterbury East Station
1h from London St. Pancras International, with one change.
14km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Chilham, Canterbury Cathedral, and Canterbury itself.
Lunch stops in Chilham (30m–1h in): the Chilham Square, or the Star Inn.
End-of-walk rewards: the Monument, the Unicorn Inn, the West Gate Inn, the Carpenters Arms, or the Old Buttermarket.
Chelsfield Station Circular via Down House
30m from London Bridge, with one change.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Highlights: Down House (home of Charles Darwin).
Lunch stops in Downe (3h–5h in): Down House café, the George and Dragon, or Rajdoot of Downe. Other lunch stop: the Blacksmith's Arms (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Rose and Crown, the Royal Oak, the Queens Head, or the Chelsfield.
Folkestone Central Station Circular via Castle Hill
1h direct from London St. Pancras International.
Tough: steep ascents. 16km. 5h–8h.
A rambler favourite! Verdant coastal cliffs, rolling hills, and suburban streets. Begins, necessarily, with a lengthy suburban segment, but then becomes very beautiful and surprisingly quiet. Particularly lovely on the walk along the cliffs east of Folkestone, where there are also a number of lunch spot choices. The narrow overgrown paths are best. But note that there is a LOT of steep ascents and descents on this walk.
Highlights: Folkestone.
Lunch stops in Capel-le-Ferne (3h–4h30 in): Cliff Top Café, the Royal Oak, or the Cliff Top Café.
End-of-walk rewards: the Royal George, the Harbour Inn, the Kipps' Alehouse, the Samuel Peto, the Pullman, the East Kent Arms, or the Lord Morris.
Deptford Station to Greenwich Station
5m direct from London Bridge.
Easy: 1km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Greenwich Station to Maze Hill Station
7m direct from London Bridge.
Easy: 1km, gentle ascents. 30m.