Length: 251km/155 miles
Average time to complete: 14 days
This National Trail is 153 miles long and follows the chalk scarp of the North Downs from Farnham in Surrey to Dover and the White Cliffs on the Kent coast. It runs the length of two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) – the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs and is available to everyone to discover and enjoy. Find out for yourself and be led on an inspiring, unique and scenic journey.
For many writers, poets and artists, the landscape of the North Downs has offered inspiration: John Bunyan, J.M.W. Turner, Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen are but a few - perhaps you, too, may be inspired by the magnificent landscapes.
The Trail is unique in many ways. In places it runs along the “Pilgrims Way” and royalty and archbishops have stayed at the eight castles, three palaces and three cathedrals along the route.
Over time the Downs have acted as a natural fortification for London and the North Downs Way takes you past the remains of Iron Age, Roman, Norman and Napoleonic forts as well as World War II bunkers and airfields.
Despite the proximity of London, the North Downs Way can be surprisingly peaceful and is blessed with wonderful scenery. The North Downs are capped with beech woods and some of the most important areas of box and yew in Great Britain. They are blessed with some of the most important chalk grassland in the South East and give home to a mass of wild flowers and delicate butterflies.
Browse nearby accommodation for walkers (www.enjoyengland.com/book/accommodation/searchresults.aspx?Sec=accommodation&advsrch=1&Rad=3&Reg=South%20East&FcWkr=true&durat=1&room=1&adult=1&child=0&display=map)
