Best walks near Sevenoaks by train
Kent · South East England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Otford Station Circular via the Darent Valley (Kent)
7m direct from Sevenoaks.
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.
Harpenden Station to St Albans City Station (Hertfordshire)
1h from Sevenoaks, with one change.
17km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Mostly fields and country lanes. Some beautiful new bluebell woods, stunning historic city streeets, commons, golf courses, and parkland. Best in April (bluebell season). Some sections are busy.
Highlights: Heartwood Forest, St Albans Cathedral, and St Albans itself.
Lunch stops in Sandridge (2h–3h in): the Green Man (excellent; reservations recommended), Heartwood Tea Rooms (busy!), the Rose & Crown, or the Queens Head (not great).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lower Red Lion, the Mad Squirrel Tap, the Peahen, the Snug, or the Boot.
Leigh Station to Tunbridge Wells Station (Kent)
15m from Sevenoaks, 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.
Hurst Green Station to Oxted Station (Surrey)
1h from Sevenoaks, with one change.
11km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
Greensand hills, woodland, open country, and village paths. Can be muddy.
Lunch stops: the Carpenters Arms (1h–1h30 in), or the Grasshopper Inn (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk reward: the Oxted Inn.
Garston Station to St Albans City Station (Hertfordshire)
1h from Sevenoaks, with one change.
13km. Gentle ascents. 3h30–6h.
Common woodland, farmland tracks, river meadows, water meadows, quiet residential roads, and historic city streets. Can be very muddy.
Highlights: St Albans.
Lunch stops: Moor Mill Watermill & Inn (1h30–3h in), the Overdraught (2h30–4h in), or Rumbles Fish Bar (2h30–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Horn, or the Robin Hood.
Merstham Station to Tattenham Corner Station (Surrey)
1h from Sevenoaks, with one change.
15km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Epic scenery sadly spoiled by the constant drone of the M25. North Downs ridge, parkland, open heathland, wooded paths, racecourse downland, and London panoramas. Relatively busy. Race days restrict access.
Lunch stops: Cafe Junction 8 (1h–2h in), the Sportsman (2h–3h30 in), or the Bell (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Tattenham Corner.
Pevensey and Westham Station to Battle Station (Sussex)
45m direct from Sevenoaks.
Tough: 29km. Moderate ascents. 8h–13h30.
An essential walk! Beautiful landscapes and multiple historic sights.
Highlights: Pevensey Castle, Herstmonceux Castle, Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Pevensey Levels, and Battle itself.
Lunch stops: Nuthatch Kitchen and Terrace (2h30–4h in), or the Ash Tree Inn (4h30–8h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the White Hart Pub, or Battle Abbey and Battlefield.
Tunbridge Wells Station Circular via Groombridge (Kent)
15m direct from Sevenoaks.
Tough: 23km. Moderate ascents. 6h30–11h.
A rambler favourite! Escarpments.
Lunch stops in Frant (1h30–2h30 in): the Abergavenny Arms, or the George.
End-of-walk rewards: the Crown Inn, the High Rocks, or the Pantiles.
Winchelsea Station to Hastings Station (Sussex)
1h direct from Sevenoaks.
Tough: steep ascents. 18km. 4h–7h.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Hastings.
Lunch stops: the New Beach Club (1h30–2h30 in), or the Cove (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Jolly Fisherman, the Lord Nelson, the Royal Standard, the London Trader, the Hastings Arms, Ye Olde Pumphouse, the Cutter, or the Albion.
Penshurst Station Circular via Chiddingstone (Kent)
30m from Sevenoaks, 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 (Kent)
1h from Sevenoaks, 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.
Chelsfield Station Circular via Down House (Kent)
15m direct from Sevenoaks.
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.