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West Kent Walking Group

We are the West Kent Walking Group. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking
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Overview

Leaders: Julian (with Tilly the Labrador) and Bev (with Charlie the Spaniel)

Description: A lovely “figure of eight” taking in mixed woodland and arable farms around Farnborough Village and Downe. Surprisingly rural yet also in the London Borough of Bromley, the area is inside the newly extended Ultra Low Emission Zone so consider car-sharing if your jalopy isn’t ULEZ compliant.

Our 8 or 10 mile route starts and ends in the centre of Farnborough Village with free parking on side roads away from the metered High Street. A frequent 358 Bus service stops here on route between Orpington or Bromley South rail stations plus Beckenham and Crystal Palace.      

We’ll cover c.5 miles in our first loop, then there’s a choice of c.3 or c.5 miles in the second. The longer option adds an extra couple of miles behind https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/home-of-charles-darwin-down-house/ and please bring a snack lunch to munch along the way. Alternatively you may prefer to spend this time (c.¾ hour) in one of Downe’s two pubs or the coffee shop which serve food most days but be sure to check https://www.queensheaddowne.com/and https://www.georgeanddragondowne.com

beforehand for their Christmas hours and food menus.

 

Thursday, 28 December 2023
Start time:
10:00 am
Estimated finish time:
4:00 pm
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
16.1km / 10.0mi
Ascent:
255.7m / 839ft
Type:
circular

Once our group has reconvened in Downe, it’s less than an hour and mostly downhill back to Farnborough Village which offers another two pubs and café for post-walk refreshments.

Features

  • Refreshments available (Pub/cafe)
  • Accessible by public transport
  • Car parking available
  • Dog friendly

Starting point

Grid reference:
TQ 44365 64226
Nearest postcode:
BR6 7DB
what3words:
organs.earth.cycles
Start time:
10:00 am

Meet on the triangular traffic island in the middle of Farnborough Village at junction of High Street and Church Road.

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking