Best walks near Tonbridge 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.
Borough Green & Wrotham Station to Sevenoaks Station (Kent)
8m direct from Tonbridge.
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 (Kent)
15m from Tonbridge, with one change.
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.
Leigh Station to Tunbridge Wells Station (Kent)
4m direct from Tonbridge.
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.
Gomshall Station to Guildford Station (Surrey)
1h from Tonbridge, with one change.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h–7h.
Fields, wooded valley, pine woods, heathland common, stud farms, and canal and riverside path into a historic town. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Shere and Guildford.
Lunch stops in Shere (30m–1h in): the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), Hillys Tea Shop, or the William Bray. Other lunch stop: the William IV (1h–1h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot.
Merstham Station to Tattenham Corner Station (Surrey)
45m from Tonbridge, 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)
30m direct from Tonbridge.
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.
Gomshall Station Circular via Shere (Surrey)
1h from Tonbridge, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 10km. 3h–5h.
An essential walk! Can be muddy.
Highlights: Saint James's Church (see the remains of where a devout anchorite was encased within the church walls) and Shere.
Lunch stops in Shere (1h–1h30 in): the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), the William Bray, Hillys Tea Shop, or the White Horse. Other lunch stops: the Drummond Arms (1h–2h in), Mandira's Kitchen (1h–2h in), or Carb Up and Go (1h30–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Compasses Inn, or the Gomshall Mill.
Penshurst Station Circular via Chiddingstone (Kent)
8m direct from Tonbridge.
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.
Tunbridge Wells Station Circular via Groombridge (Kent)
9m direct from Tonbridge.
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)
45m direct from Tonbridge.
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.
Charing Station to Chilham Station (Kent)
45m from Tonbridge, 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 (Kent)
1h from Tonbridge, 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.