HILLY HIKE 16km The Hidden Valleys, Vineyards and Palaces of Kent

📏 Key Info:
• Distance: 10 miles (16km)
• Grading: Intermediate
• Ascent: 340m
• Hiking time: 4.5 to 5 hours
• Cost: £31 plus Eventbrite fee they charge including the guided hike and return train travel, click “Get Tickets” to join.

Payments are refundable upto 7 days in advance, after that they are non refundable and non transferrable.

• Toilet Breaks: On the trains, at the lunch stop (usually but pub not always open), and at the end vineyard

📍 Meeting Point
• Location: Victoria station. Meet between WHSmith (no 34) and Nero Express (no 29) - MAP
• Time: Meet 8:25am, leave 8:40am for the 8:55am train
• Return: 5:36pm arrival back in London (you’re committed until then)

🌟 Highlights
• Explore Otford village, rich in Roman, Saxon and royal history
• See Britain’s tiniest listed building — the famous Otford duck house
• Visit the remains of Otford Palace, once grander than Hampton Court
• Hike along the North Downs Way and the ancient Pilgrims Way
• Pause at Otford Mount, with views across the valley and a Bronze Age barrow
• Enjoy lunch at a 500-year-old traditional pub “time forgot”
• Conclude at a family-owned vineyard with optional wine flight & stone-baked pizza

🥾 Hike Description
Our hike begins in the tranquil Darent Valley, following the Darent Valley Path into the historic village of Otford. Here we encounter remarkable landmarks including the quirky duck house — Britain’s smallest Grade II listed building — and the evocative ruins of Otford Palace, once a Tudor residence larger than Hampton Court and known as “the lost palace of Henry VIII.”

From Otford we join the historic North Downs Way, tracing part of the medieval Pilgrims Way that itself followed an even older Stone Age track. The path leads to Otford Mount, where a Bronze Age barrow crowns the ridge and panoramic views stretch across the valley. Continuing onwards, we cross the nature-rich chalk grassland of Kemsing Down and pass by Otford Manor, high above the valley, before descending through woodland and fields.

Midway, we pause for lunch at a traditional 500-year-old pub, hidden away in the countryside. Inside, little has changed since the 1960s, giving it a nostalgic charm that feels like stepping back in time. With its rustic character, it makes for a unique and memorable break on our journey.

Our adventure ends at a family-owned vineyard, where you can sample local Kentish wines with an optional extra - tasting flight and stone-baked pizza. Surrounded by vines and rolling hills, this picturesque stop — complete with a boutique shop selling locally produced gifts — is the perfect finale to a day exploring Kent’s landscapes, history and hidden gems.

🧭 Guide:
• Leader: GRAHAM
• Contact (hike day only): 07796 098487

🍽️ Food:
• Bring a packed lunch
• Pub visit after the hike (drinks optional)

🎒What to Bring
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Water (2 litres minimum)
• Packed lunch
• Waterproofs (jacket and trousers)
• Hat and gloves if cold
• Train tickets are arranged – just meet us at the meeting point

⚠️ Safety
Your guide is a trained hike leader and Outdoor Activity First Aider

❓ Want to Know More?
• New to Our Trips? (perfect for first-timers, answers “what to expect”)
• About Us (who Outdooraholics are, credibility, history)
• FAQs (covers common queries)

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