Harrietsham North Downs | Heart of Kent Walking Festival 2026

About

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

Walk Details:

Walk Leader: Ian Henderson, Boots On Adventure

Distance: 8 miles

Duration: 4 hours

Walk Grade: 3

Walk Type: Circular

Accessibility Grade: A2

Age Suitability: All ages: All children under 18 to be accompanied by an adult.

You will need: Packed lunch, and drinks. Suitable footwear and walking attire

Toilet Facilities: None on route

Rest Stops: Stopping hallway to enjoy lunch

Are there stiles on route? Yes

This walk is not suitable for pushchairs or mobility scooters

This is a dog friendly walk (please keep your dog on a lead

Parking: At Harrietsham Train Station, in Harrietsham village or on the entrance road to the station