Best walks to or from Swanley

Swanley Station to Sevenoaks Station

A varied walk through a park out of Sevenoaks, then along and across the Darent Valley Path through fields, golf course and a country park, following the river closely in places. A field crossing near the railway was a little muddy; a long steep climb up the hill at the north end of Lullingstone Country Park. Narrow pavements, sometimes absent and through Shoreham. Follows the Darent Valley Path for much of its length, with a detour past a model of the solar system (a statue of Uranus and the planets) in Otford and through Shoreham. Passes the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Lullingstone Country Park and an eagle sanctuary.

18km.

The crossing near Sevenoaks station and the A25 need negotiating; the A25 is short but unpleasant to walk along. Rye Lane is narrow, so a detour onto the Darent Valley Path keeps it safe.

Lunch: Snacks available in Shoreham, a short diversion off the Darent Valley Path.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Swanley Station to Longfield Station

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.

12km.

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.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Swanley Station to Dartford Station

A largely flat, over-70%-off-road walk on field paths along a broad ridge and beside the River Darent on the Darenth Valley Way, through Central Park and the Brooklands Lakes. Some narrow roads, multiple stiles and concrete steps. Underfoot is asphalt and gravel and dirt. Uses the marked Darenth Valley Way. The noise of the A2 and M25 is pervasive around Hawley. Central Park in Dartford has public toilets; possible bus service in Hawley.

Easy: 10km, gentle ascents.

Cross the A225 / Hawley Road straight away heading north, as it soon becomes an uncrossable dual carriageway. Shirehall Road through Hawley is very patchily pavemented. Multiple stiles, some rickety, and a paddock with an electric fence.

Lunch: Near Hawley there is a garden centre cafe, an eat-in bakery and The Chequers pub in Darenth a short way off route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Sidcup Station to Swanley Station

An excellent, mostly off-road and very green route through suburban Sidcup, the lovely Foots Cray Meadows (crossing the River Cray at Five Arches Bridge), on into rural country towards Swanley. It crosses Joyden's Wood and field-edge paths past a golf course; the bridleway section of Parsonage Lane and Joyden's Wood can be extremely muddy in winter and with a couple of quiet narrow lanes. Foots Cray Meadows has Five Arches Bridge over the River Cray. Wood-ant nests and bluebells in Joyden's Wood. Birchwood Park golf course restaurant is open to the public.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

The bridleway along Parsonage Lane and the southern edge of Joyden's Wood can be extremely muddy and challenging in winter. A couple of quiet narrow lanes where you may need to squeeze into a nettly verge. At least one stile and small gates. Crossing the busy A223/North Cray Road (a pelican crossing is nearby).

Lunch: A small parade of shops about half a mile south on the A223, and a farm shop, campsite and pub about the same distance north.

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