Farningham Woods

Hannah
Dec 5, 2020
6 min read

Updated: Mar 28, 2021

This is a great walk for families with plenty of interesting things to look out for along the way. The start of the walk along the river is beautiful and if you're lucky you might see some horses, cows or sheep up close too. However, the views from Farningham Woods are hands down the best part of this walk.

Starting Point: The Lion Hotel & Pub, Farningham, DA4 0DP

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 3.7miles / 5.9km

Highlights: Farningham Village, River Darent, Farningham Woods, AMAZING views.

Route: This route is mostly off road although there are a couple of short sections on a busy stretches of road so please take care. Much of the route is flat but there are some medium inclines - it’s worth it for the views, I promise! The route isn’t suitable for wheelchairs/pushchairs since some of the paths are uneven and go through fields which can get quite muddy. There are also a few stiles to climb over.

Parking: Parking in Farningham is pretty limited so, as always, it’s better to use another method of transport to get to the start point if possible. There is limited free parking on Farningham High Street and also on the side of the road on Dartford Road (between The Lion and the Farningham roundabout). Alternatively, if you fancy a post walk tipple or Sunday lunch, there’s plenty of parking in The Lion’s car park. You’ll need to enter your reg number into their system before you head off on the walk to avoid a fine. You can also pay by phone to park in that same car park for up to 2 hours. As always, if you do choose to park in the village, please do so responsibly and respectfully.

Refreshments/facilities: Aside from the pubs in Farningham village at the beginning and end of the walk, there are no facilities en route so please bring refreshments and use the loo before setting off!

Step 1

Start at The Lion Hotel in Farningham. In front of the pub is the River Darent and an interesting stone structure across the river. It is thought to have been built between 1740 and 1770 and has often been puzzled over. Once thought to be a folly or the remains of the north side of a medieval bridge, the structure is in fact a cattle screen, built to prevent cattle from wandering downstream whilst crossing the ford. Face the river with the pub behind you, follow a path to your left alongside the river, heading away from the village. After a couple of minutes, you’ll reach a wooden footbridge crossing the river. Head across it and then under the bypass to your left, continuing to follow the river.

Step 2

Follow the path alongside the river for another 600m. If it’s warm there are plenty of places to paddle, along with some rope swings but watch out, sometimes the river flows pretty fast. You’ll go under another bridge - this time the M20 directly above you and reach a field on your right. The path turns right at the edge of the field, away from the river, and then left. Don’t worry, there are no other paths so you can’t go wrong! Follow the straight footpath with fencing on either side past several fields - sometimes with horses and sheep and then Horton Kirby cricket grounds on your right. Until you reach a road - Franks Lane.

Step 3

Turn left onto Franks Lane and follow the road for around 500m. It’s a fairly quiet lane but watch out for oncoming vehicles just in case. You’ll soon reach the River Darent and cross over to its left bank once again. You’ll go past Franks Hall - a large Elizabethan country house completed in 1591. The manor has belonged to many families over the years and was used as a maternity home during the Second World War. Eventually the lane brings you to Dartford Road (the A225) turn left walking back towards Farningham, cross over, and take the first right you come to - Calfstock Lane. After 200m, you’ll see a large metal gate marked ‘Little Thyme’ on your left. Continue for a few more meters until you see another metal gate, also on your left. Go through this gate to reach a stile into a field and footpath marked with a yellow footpath marker.

Step 4

Climb over the stile and walk diagonally across the field to the far back corner where you’ll see another stile. You’ll probably see another gate to your left as you walk across the field but don’t be tempted to walk towards this one - instead continue to the back right hand corner of the field. It’s a bit of an incline but don’t forget to glance over your shoulder to look at the view which will make it worth it! Climb over the stile at the other end of the field and into Farningham Woods. The Farningham Wood Nature Reserve was opened by Sir David Attenborough in September 1986. Follow the path up and to the left until you reach a viewpoint into the field you’ve just walked across (and the aforementioned gate). From here you can see Horton Kirby viaduct straight ahead, the village itself to the right and, in the distance, the Dartford crossing.

Step 5

Turn around and continue into the wood with the viewpoint behind you (don’t go over the stile into the field). You’ll walk through a short area of woodland, bear left at the fork, climb over a stile and into a clearing, then over another stile on the other side. To your left is a gateway into a field, you’ll be able to see the M20 and Farningham and Eynsford at the other side of it. Take note of this point - it’s the way you’ll go to leave the woods and head back to Farningham, but you’re not going that way just yet (unless you’re really tired, in which case - feel free!). Instead continue straight ahead from the stile.

Step 6

From the stile you’ve climbed over you’ll head straight ahead to a small clearing with an information board and map. Now you’re in the woods, it’s really up to you how far you choose to roam. This route takes you on a medium loop but you can make it shorter or longer by taking an earlier or later right hand turn. For this walk we’ll continue ahead (information board on your right) up a short, steep slope and follow the path along the edge of the wood. After 500m, the path will straighten out and you’ll find yourself walking along the side of a hedge (on your left). Mid way along this hedge, before walking back into a wooded area, you’ll see a right hand turn. It’s a little steep and quite muddy in the winter months but the treelined pathway is beautiful in all seasons. When you reach the top, turn right again and continue to follow the woodland path for another 600m. It’ll bring you back to the clearing you were at not too long ago, continue back to the aforementioned gate to start the journey back to Farningham.

Step 7

Exit the woods through the gate and into a field. Walk down the left hand edge of the field towards the M20. At the bottom of the field, exit via the gate and turn left, you’re now on Old Dartford Road but not for long. Almost immediately (20m or so), you’ll see a path on the right. Take this path which will bring you out just by the M20 flyover on Dartford Road.

Step 8

Turn right and walk under the bridge to the Farningham roundabout. You’ll need to take the exit straight ahead so cross Dartford Road and then the A20 before continuing towards Farningham, passing the Harvest petrol station on your right. It’s a busy roundabout and the road back into Farningham doesn’t have a pavement so take care. The end of this road marks the end of this walk but if you haven’t seen it before, take a minute to check out Farningham Mill on your right opposite The Lion. There’s evidence of a water mill here dating as far back as the Domesday Book in 1087 but the most recent mill (white building straight ahead) was built in 1790. If you’ve worked up an appetite, consider stopping at one of Farningham’s lovely pubs on the way back for a well deserved coffee, beer or Sunday roast and don’t forget to leave comments and tag us in your pics on social media!

Download printable PDF instructions:

Follow this route in OS Maps:

https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/7151027/Farningham-Woods