Best walks to or from Orpington

Bromley South Station to Orpington Station

A low-traffic, green and scenic suburban route linked by quiet residential roads, with much of the middle a substantial traffic-free section through recreation grounds and the lovely Sparrow Wood and Crofton Wood and plus a railway footbridge with views of Orpington station. The woods can be muddy in winter; steep steps in places.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

Steep steps near Orpington station and at the railway footbridge make it not the most accessible route. Crofton Wood has serpentine, poorly-mapped paths and no phone signal under the canopy. One busy road crossing with good crossing points. Can be muddy.

Lunch stop: the Chequers Inn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Orpington Station to Sevenoaks Station

A commuter-belt rural walk over the North Downs through woodland, chalky fields and rolling downland, with a fair amount of up-and-down and a long road-walking section. Mixed underfoot with gates, kissing gates, stiles, earth steps, tree roots and rutted paths and moderately steep for short stretches. Knockholt station is about 1 km off route, allowing the walk to be split.

16km. Moderate ascents.

Several busy road crossings where traffic moves fast, though most have crossings or a central island. A stretch of road walking begins with no verges and high hedges on a tight bend. Pay attention to flying golf balls when crossing Chelsfield Lakes Golf Course. The footpath at Fairtrough Farm has been diverted and the OS maps are out of date.

Lunch: Pubs on the route at Pratts Bottom and Knockholt Pound, with a shop and a garden centre cafe at Knockholt Pound.

A pub on the route at Riverhead, near the end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Orpington Station to Swanley Station

A pleasant walk starting and ending with quiet residential streets in Orpington and Swanley, with the peaceful middle section across fields and woods with wild flowers, on tracks that are walking-boot territory in wet weather. Several stiles to cross. Wide views over Kent/London countryside and with Canary Wharf visible in the distance on a clear day. Part of the route follows the Bromley Chelsfield walk and the Windmill Hill Wood Walk.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

Lunch: There is a pub and a post office just off route in Crockenhill, and a Tesco and other shops in Orpington at the start.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route