Walks you can reach from Catford by train

Highly recommended: Secluded valleys, chalk downland ridges, ancient woodland, golf course, chalk grassland nature reserves, riverside paths and farmland.

Shoreham

Otford

Time: 3h–6h

3 lunch spots: Shoreham (1h–2h in) — the Samuel Palmer, the Honey Pot, or the Kings Arms

3 end-of-walk rewards: the Castle Hotel, the Five Bells, or the Malt Shovel

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Source: Trains2Green.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Linear Darent valley sides on the North Downs Way and Darent Valley Path: three nature reserves including Lullingstone Country Park and Polhill Bank, panoramic Kent Downs views.

Otford

Time: 4h30–9h30

Walk details: Kent Downs National Landscape (tips, photos and local insights).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Linear walk into the Darent Valley countryside, with breathtaking views, Lullingstone Roman Villa, the Eynsford Viaduct and the village's humpback bridge and ford.

Walk details: Kent Downs National Landscape (tips, photos and local insights).

Linear middle Darent Valley Path beside the tranquil River Darent, Lullingstone Roman Villa, Eynsford Castle and valley views.

Walk details: Kent Downs National Landscape (tips, photos and local insights).

River valley, open fields, orchards, beech woods, golf course, ridge path and historic villages.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Reverse direction: Kent Downs National Landscape.

A walk through London's history around the square mile, past the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral and the Guildhall.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: Two thirds urban. Several sets of steps, cobbled streets and narrow alleys.

Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).

Three commons, coppiced woodland, open heathland, gorse, ponds, riverside paths and suburban road crossings.

Warnings: Busy road crossings.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Darent Valley circular with panoramic views, the UK's largest lavender farm at Castle Farm (June/July), 500-year-old veteran trees at Lullingstone Country Park, a Roman villa and a castle.

Walk details: Kent Downs National Landscape (tips, photos and local insights).

Darent Valley circular around the riverside villages of Shoreham and Otford, with panoramic valley views, Polhill Bank Nature Reserve and a section of the Darent Valley Path.

Otford

Walk details: Kent Downs National Landscape (tips, photos and local insights).

Fields, woods, valleys, heathland, commons and London Green Belt countryside.

Warnings: Can be waterlogged.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Gently rolling countryside, shady footpaths and bridleways, open valleys, woods, chalk downland and quiet rural hamlets near the London/Surrey border.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

A route avoiding awkward and impassable field sections, climbing a little hill and crossing fields and quiet lanes, with newly planted crop fields (on public rights of way), railway-side stretches, woodland with many paths and residential and light-industrial streets towards the end. Some fields not prepped for walkers; muddy after wet weather. Crosses under the M25 at Button Street. Passes a distinctive tower in South Darenth and bluebells in season.

Time: 3h–6h30

Warnings: Crossing Fawkham Road; the section through Ram's Wood is confusing with many feet-and-wheel paths. Some crop fields where the right of way is unmaintained, so going around is faster.

Walk details: Slow Ways.