North Downs Way

The North Downs Way National Trail follows the chalk scarp of the North Downs for 153 miles from Farnham in Surrey to Canterbury in Kent.

The North Downs Way which start in Farnham  offers walkers spectacular scenery, picturesque villages and glorious rolling countryside as the trails follows eastwards close to Guildford, Dorking and Reigate to reach the Kentish border.

You will pass close to the magnificence of Loseley Park and Polesden Lacey, through England's largest vineyard, Denbies, use stepping-stones to cross the River Mole, close to where Nelson met with Lady Hamilton and ascend to Box Hill celebrated by Jane Austen in Emma.

The National Trail is predominantly for walkers with the majority of the route being public footpaths, however some are on public bridleways and Byways which allow cyclists and horse-riders. 

Find everything you need to plan your perfect day by visiting the North Downs National Trails website below.

What is special about the Trail?

The National Trail passes fascinating Neolithic sites, Roman and Napoleonic forts and WWII fortifications, the ancient city of Canterbury – home to the world-famous Canterbury Cathedral – and the historic seaside towns of Folkestone and Dover.

The North Downs Way features two ancient Pilgrims routes. The Pilgrim’s Way is a historical route from Winchester to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent. Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170, and for more than 200 years his shrine at Canterbury became the most important in the whole of the UK. The route between the Port of Dover “the Gateway to England” and Canterbury retraces the steps of Archbishop Segeric who travelled this route in 990AD from Rome to Canterbury on what is now known as The Via Francigena, the UK’s only European Cultural Route.The historic route is also rich in landscape, from the high chalk ridge of the North Downs, a rare grassland habitat for Orchids, bees and butterflies found only in Kent to the ancient woodlands of the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs which are carpeted with bluebells in early spring. The trail bursts out onto the White Cliffs at Folkestone with magnificent views across the English Channel and Dover Castle sitting above the historic Port.

Type:Waymarked Trail

Start point - Farnham
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 7DX