DAYSOUT
MILLS AND MEADOWS
THIS IS A PLEASANT AND RELAXING WALK ALONG ONE OF THE MOST PICTURESQUE STRETCHES OF THE RIVER DARENT FOLLOWING THE BANKS OF THE RIVER THROUGH FIELDS AND FORESTS . YOU ’ LL FIND YOURSELF IN THE QUAINT TOWN OF FARNINGHAM STEEPED IN RICH HISTORY AND TRADITION RIPE FOR EXPLORATION , BEFORE RETRACING THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE BACK TO HORTON KIRBY . THE GENTLE SLOPES AND STEADY TERRAIN MAKE THIS AN IDEAL ROUTE FOR ALL THE FAMILY ( AND CANINE COMPANIONS ).
Leave the car park and go through the gate to follow the waymarked route to the river swirling over the weirs . Ramble along the tree-lined banks until you reach the road . Turn left and cross over the road to join the path running alongside the wellkept village cricket field and past Franks Hall – an impressive redbrick Tudor mansion set in substantial grounds . Some say that Queen Elizabeth I may have even stayed at Franks Hall .
Take in the beauty of the Kent Downs that you can see on the skyline . This is a beautiful section of the valley where the Downs begin to level out opening up an expanse of pretty patchwork fields with plenty of birdlife in the hedgerows and taking to the sky . Bring along your binoculars to view their impressive flights over the valley .
Look out for the Ponies and sheep grazing in the open fields and on the hillsides before you then re-join the river where you will continue along its banks where you can take in the peace and quiet of the river escaping the hustle and bustle of the village . The path takes you to the pretty town of Farningham .
In the heart of Farningham stands the Lion Hotel , a popular historic destination with fisherman and travellers alike . The writer Charles Dickens stayed there frequently upon his visits to Kent . The hotel has been converted into a luxury pub , the perfect place to grab a bite to eat . Across the road you can gaze at the iconic mill and mill house which are a must see for all visitors to the town – a great place for a photo .
The town of Farningham itself contained four manor houses detailed in the Domesday Book . One of which belonged to a Norman knight , Wadard , who fought at the Battle of Hastings , depicted , on his horse , in the Bayeux Tapestry .
Having refuelled at the Lion , make your way over the town bridge past the market meadow – the village ’ s large open space – where a former castle once stood and medieval fairs took place . Continue on up the town ’ s high street with its picture postcard village shops and traditional Kentish flint-faced cottages . Look out for the well-preserved stately Georgian houses with their intricate , elegant design standing in all their grandeur . Once you reach Farningham House which stands opposite the Pied Bull Pub , turn left which takes you along the path back across the fields and along to the banks of the river .
If you fancy extending your walk , the nearby Farningham Wood is a nature reserve rich in wildlife and floral vegetation , with an excellent network of footpaths . Otherwise , follow the path and cross straight over the road to return to Horton Kirby on the eastern side of the river following the path over the bridge across the weir to the car park . During your walk back through the countryside , keep your eyes peeled for the rich diversity of wildlife that lines the riverbanks and circles the skies above . Water vole holes line the riverbanks ; meanwhile , wrens can be spotted foraging around the base of the many waterside trees .
Look out for the White House on Horton Kirby ’ s main street which was believed to have been the centre of a thriving smuggling business , handling spirits and silks at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries . It is a gorgeous end to your walk and the perfect postwalk ice cream rest stop .
If you love Kentish heritage and pretty Kentish villages then you ’ re sure to love this walk taking you through pretty Kentish villages to a town well worth exploring .
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