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On the 25th of March 2026 we will be strolling from Harrietsham, exploring the surrounding countryside of the North Downs along ancient routes and woodland paths as a part of Heart of Kent Walking Festival.The walk will start at Harrietsham Station, making it easily accessible by train, with limited parking available nearby. From here we will leave the village behind, passing Harrietsham Church, whose long history reflects centuries of worship and settlement at the foot of the Downs.
From the church we will enter the beautiful surrounding countryside, walking through fields and woodland as the land begins to rise. The route takes us through quiet wooded areas before joining the ancient Pilgrims Way, a track followed for generations by travellers and medieval pilgrims on their journey towards Canterbury.
Walking beneath the Downs, with chalk hills rising above us, we will experience a landscape shaped by farming, belief, and movement over thousands of years, before looping back through woodland and open countryside to return towards Harrietsham.
Along the way we will hear tales of pilgrims and medieval travel, life beneath the Downs, ancient routeways, and the long human story written into this landscape.
📅 Schedule
🗓 Date: 25 March 2026
⏰ Meet & Start Time:
👋 Meet at 10:00 am
▶️ Walk starts at 10:15 am
🥾 Walking Time:
⏳ Approx. 4.5 hours (includes a 🍽 lunch break)
🧭 Walk Leader:
👤 Ian Henderson
📍 Location
🚉 Meeting Point:
Harrietsham Station, Station Rd, Harrietsham, Maidstone ME17 1JA
🗺 what3words:
///stored.somebody.chariots
🚗 Car Parking:
💷 Charges not included
🅿️ On-street parking available or paid parking at the station
⚠️ Please park responsibly
🛤 Route Details
⛰ Terrain: One steep incline
📏 Distance:
📐 Approx. 11.8 km (7.3 miles)
🔄 Walk Type:
⭕ Circular walk
🐶 Dogs on Walks
We welcome friendly dogs on our walks 🐾
✔️ Dogs must remain on a lead at all times
⚠️ Owners are fully responsible for their dog throughout the walk
This particular route explores the historic landscape around Harrietsham and the North Downs, following ancient trackways, woodland paths, and chalk hillside routes that have been used for centuries. Shaped by geology, farming, and long-distance travel, this landscape reveals the enduring relationship between people and the Downs, where movement, belief, and daily life have left their mark long before modern roads appeared.
Starting from Harrietsham, the walk leaves the village behind and passes Harrietsham Church, a focal point of local life since the medieval period. From here, the route enters the surrounding countryside, moving through fields and woodland at the foot of the Downs. These quieter paths reflect a working rural landscape shaped by agriculture and seasonal movement.
The walk continues through woodland and open countryside before joining the Pilgrims Way, an ancient route that once carried medieval pilgrims travelling towards Canterbury. Running beneath the chalk escarpment of the North Downs, the Pilgrims Way offered a practical and symbolic journey, linking villages, churches, and resting places along one of England’s most important pilgrimage routes.
Walking beneath the rising slopes of the Downs, the route reveals a landscape shaped by centuries of farming, travel, and belief. Chalk grassland, wooded slopes, and long-established paths create a setting that has changed little in its essential form, despite the passing of generations.
This walk is led by Ian and starts promptly on time. If you’re running a little behind schedule, please get in touch to let us know.
📸 Photography Notice
We may take photos during our walks for 📢 promotional and 🎓 training purposes
🙋 If you prefer not to be included, please let us know on the day
❌ Cancellation Policy
⏰ Within 4 days of the activity:
💳 Full payment becomes due if you cancel
📅 More than 4 days before the event:
🔄 You will receive a credit note
⏳ Credit is valid for 90 days and can be used towards a future walk
✅ Cancel at least 4 days before the event to receive your credit
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Harrietsham railway station, Sutton Valence, United Kingdom
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