Darent Valley Path

It’s been three weeks since my hernia op. The surgeon recommended plenty of walking, unaware of what that means for me. However, I’ve no wish to undo his fine work, so backpacking in Scotland must wait. Hayley took me on a six-mile walk up onto the North Downs last weekend, and now I’m feeling good for a longer hike. The Darent Valley Path is 19 gentle miles, following the River Darent from the Thames to Sevenoaks.

Alighting at Dartford Railway Station, there’s an extra three miles to get to the start of the path. The trail is well signposted, twisting and turning through industrial backstreets down to the river, taking me back to the first day of my coastal walk, winding through Gravesend. Has it really been five years?

From the Knoydart wilderness to urban waterways, but I forget how interesting these sections are, full of gritty detail and history to explore.

Priory Lock was built in 1895 to allow commercial barges carrying coal and grain to the town’s wharves regardless of tide levels.

The path runs along an embankment overlooking low-lying estuary scrub land, where ponies graze, and members of the Nomads Model Club fly some serious aircraft, all protected by a flood barrier.

Reaching the Thames, I turn and go back to Dartford via an inland loop to find two vintage hop-on, hop-off buses. A peaked-cap conductor rings the bell as they pull away. Ah, the fun days of hanging on to a pole with the wind rushing past. Was it health and safety or job cuts that killed them off?

The river leaves Dartford through attractive gardens and open parkland.

Anglers ring Brooklands Lake, many with multiple lines, just sitting in a chair waiting for something to happen. I don’t see the attraction. It would be great if something pulled them into the water. Several have tents, some with sleeping bags and beds. Are they homeless or perhaps night fishing?

Passing under the M25, there’s the usual array of street art.

After a wrong turn down a long lane into the Darenth Fishing Complex, missing the path sign, I backtrack and make my way to South Darenth with its railway viaduct.

Saturday cricketers prepare for a match under threatening clouds.

An ornate structure straddles the river at Farningham. You might think it’s a bridge, but there is nothing behind the facade, being a rather ostentatious cattle screen.

Here’s a waymark I’ve not seen before. The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route running for almost 2,000 miles from Canterbury to Rome. I may have to pass on that one.

The riverside trail from Eynsford to Lullingstone Castle is one of my local walks, although the path through the gnarly trees has been flattened and the trees cut back to allow wheelchair access. I’ve mixed feelings.

Shortly after leaving the cafe, a lady with blood trickling down her leg approaches and gestures at my large backpack, which I use whether I’m fully laden on a multi-day trek or just carrying a couple of kilos on a day hike, as it’s so comfortable and almost an extension of me now.

“You look like a serious hiker. I don’t suppose you have a first aid kit in there?”

“I do, but it’s been around a bit.” An understatement.

Pulling out some rather grubby tape and bandages, she is less enthusiastic for some reason. Fortunately, I find a sealed dressing, for which she is very grateful.

Perhaps I need to refresh my medical supplies.

The trail passes through pretty Shoreham, which remains in my bad books after I drove here for a stroll during the Covid lockdown, only to face a large sign in the car park saying that non-residents should stay away. Circle the wagons! Lock the gates! The reaction of small communities in every apocalyptic novel.

After taking another wrong turn and finding myself stuck on a busy golf fairway, apologising profusely and trying to find a way off through the dense undergrowth, I reach the mighty oaks and ponds of Sevenoaks.

Where next for my rehab? Jude and Hayley hiked the North Downs Way last year. I may follow in their footsteps.

Date of walk: Saturday 16 May 2026.

Walk distance: 22 miles.