The North Downs Way
The North Downs Way is a 153 mile route from Farnham in Surrey to the Coast at Dover in Kent. The route is one of fifteen National Trails in England and Wales and a great one for weekend walkers or campers, as it is easy to split up into sections ending at train stations which serve London — equally it's possible to walk in one go, stopping off at campsites or B&Bs.
A brief history of the North Downs Way
The North Downs Way was created in 1978, running through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs. The route is often compared to the Pilgrims Way, as the route goes west to east with the opportunity to go through Canterbury Cathedral, but although it follows much of the Pilgrims trail it is a different route along the ridge of the North Downs, which is more scenic.
The route was updated to create a split east of Boughton Lees, allowing the walker to choose two routes to Dover: either east through Canterbury past the Cathedral, or south and east through Folkestone, taking in the White Cliffs of Dover in the final miles.
Planning your journey
Although the route is well signposted, it's worth taking a map or guidebook with you to ensure you're on the right route and to see where you can cut off route to a local town or village. The National Trail Guide to the North Downs Way is worth seeking out — it contains detailed Ordnance Survey maps of the route complete with local information and turn-by-turn instructions.
Many guides recommend splitting the route into around 15 stages (if you are to complete both routes at the split to Dover):
| Start | Finish | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Farnham | Guildford | 11 |
| Guildford | Westhumble | 13 |
| Westhumble | Merstham | 10 |
| Merstham | Oxted | 8 |
| Oxted | Otford | 11.8 |
| Otford | Cuxton | 15 |
| Cuxton | Detling | 12.5 |
| Detling | Lenham | 14.9 |
| Lenham | Boughton Lees or Wye | 11.1 |
| Wye | Etchinghill | 18.1 |
| Etchinghill | Dover | 12 |
| Boughton Lees | Chilham | 5.9 |
| Chilham | Canterbury | 7.2 |
| Canterbury | Shepherdswell | 10.4 |
| Shepherdswell | Dover | 8.5 |
A good guidebook is detailed enough that you're able to plan your own stages. The suggested 13 or so miles a day is easily achievable at an average walking pace of 2.5–3 mph in five hours, allowing you time to stop and take in the sights or enjoy various tea rooms and attractions along the route. Keener walkers may want to create their own route, as some of the days are a little short.
At the end of each section, guides typically list public transport, refreshments and toilets, and accommodation. The accommodation is predominantly hotels, B&Bs and hostels, but there are a few campsites scattered along the route.
To do the full 153 miles of the North Downs Way you need to complete both paths where the route splits at Boughton Lees/Wye — either doing the second leg in reverse once you get to Dover, or returning to Wye by train to start heading to Dover again on the other spur.