We are the West Kent Walking Group. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
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.
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.
Meet on the triangular traffic island in the middle of Farnborough Village at junction of High Street and Church Road.
