South downs way circular and linear walks national. A journey along the south downs national trail breaks. I recommend the ordnance survey explorer series of maps which are at a 1. Just because youve got the end, doesnt mean a walk is over. The north downs way, a 1mile 211km national trail runs from farnham in surrey to dover in kent via canterbury, winding its way through the protected.
Read facts about the trail and watch the trail video. On reigate hill youll find the national trusts reigate hill tea rooms. Several historic sites including neolithic burial chambers, roman roads and norman churches are passed and much of the route follows the pilgrims way. The cafe is in a fabulous elevated position with a number of picnic tables where you can sit outside and soak in the views of the weald and gatwick airport. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims on an inspirational 153 mile journey from farnham to.
As the way back to the north downs way is so steep, we improvised our own way back, by walking down a road to thurnham castles car park. There is one drawback though and ill explain that below. This guidebook covers 20 mountain biking routes set throughout the length and breadth of the north downs, from farnham in the west to dover in the east, as well as a route along the downs link, which joins the north downs way with the south downs way. North downs way trails almost miles of spectacular scenery, picturesque villages and glorious rolling countryside through the surrey hills and kent downs areas of outstanding natural beauty from farnham on the hampshiresurrey border to white sea cliffs of dover in kent. Beautiful photographs of an area of southern englands outst. Tired of sitting in front of the computer all day waiting for that elusive offer of gainful employment to appear. The north downs way features two ancient pilgrims routes. Buy north downs way national trail guides by neil curtis, jim walker isbn. Pilgrims way to canterbury the british pilgrimage trust. The north downs is a paradise for mountain bikers, with a vast area of bridleways and tracks.
Whether you are looking for a short stroll with spectacular downland views or aiming to tackle the full 153 miles 245km from farnham to dover, the north downs way is the perfect way to recharge your. Buy north downs way national trail guides by curtis, neil, walker, jim isbn. The course will follow the north downs way trail on an out back route all the way to the boxhill lookout point one out and back lap for the half marathon and two out and back laps for the marathon. The first 14 miles are over sandy countryside to the south of the downs. Not with the north downs way having a southern route anyway. Map of north downs from the lord of the rings online description. The north downs way is an express route to the heart of the country with easy access from the centre of london. The north downs way national trail is a mile 208km between the high downland of farnham and the historic city of dover on the kent coast. The downs are first reached at newlands corner, east of guildford and from there on the trail mainly follows the crest of the southern escarpment of the north downs. Most of the text, well if fact all of it, describes each and every step turn by turn. The north downs lie within two areas of outstanding natural beauty, the surrey hills and the kent downs. North downs way national trail guides by neil curtis, jim walker and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It goes through the two areas of outstanding natural beauty the surrey hills and the kent downs and ends in the town of dover. It crosses downland, sandy heath, deciduous woodland, green pastures, apple orchards and vineyards.
However, severe conditions of heat, cold or rain seldom last for long. The official guide to the north downs way, by neil curtis and jim walker includes detailed directions and maps for all the walks. The route is described in 11 day stages from west to east with an optional detour via canterbury. The becket way from southwark to canterbury 90 miles 11 days. The north downs way is one of only 15 designated national trails in england and wales and has a diverse appeal for many unique reasons. Many people use garmins and the like for routefinding these days but this book offers so much more, with practical advice and extra information, as well as os map extracts. All the mapping you need to walk the mile 208km north downs way national trail between farnham and dover. It is one of only two national trails that can be used not only by walkers but also by cyclists and horseriders for its entire length this is the complete, official guide for the longdistance walker or the weekend stroller. Theres a good range of snacks and its also very reasonably priced. The north downs way national trail runs along the north downs from farnham to dover.
The north downs way is the national trail that follows natural englands acorn waymarks from farnham to the coast at dover. The pilgrims way is a historical route from winchester to the shrine of thomas becket at canterbury cathedral in kent. However, there were a few moments that i was thankful i had the book as the trail was not immediately obvious and the book guided me to find the right direction. You might wonder what all the fuss is about a riders route when you can already ride along the north downs way. You may get wet on the north downs but youre unlikely to perish. Trace ancient routes on a modernday pilgrimage through surrey to the kent coast at dover, along one of englands most accessible trails. The north downs way, and the other kent longdistance footpaths the north downs way national trail is a longdistance path in southern england, opened in 1978. The north downs way is one of the easier national trails with a modest number of steep but short ascents and descents and long sections with no noticeable height gain or loss. A 1mile national trail, the north downs way runs from farnham in surrey to dover in kent. Westerham heights, at the northern edge of the north downs, near bromley, south london, is the highest point in london at an elevation of 245 m. A new title in trailblazers 10title series of british walking guides. A continuous trail race along the north downs way, with some steep climbs and descents and beautiful countryside. Westerham heights, at the northern edge of the north downs, near bromley, south london, is the highest point in london at an elevation of 245 m 804 ft. The north downs way national trail follows the long chalk ridge of the north downs through some of the most scenic and historic countryside in england.
Google maps aims to let you walk the north downs without. The path runs along the chalk ridge of the north downs and despite going through one of the most built up parts of britain, it still takes in plenty of quiet open and beautiful. The alternative starting point of the pilgrims way to canterbury, rather than winchester, is from southwark in london, and the route joins with the winchester to canterbury pilgrims way aka north downs pilgrims way at otfordkemsing. From there is was easy to rejoin the official path. North downs way by colin saunders, 97817815002, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Mar 06, 2016 the south downs way, 100 miles from winchester to eastbourne, is the most popular of the national trails. North downs way national trail guides by curtis, neil an apparently unread copy in perfect condition. Following the ancient pilgrims way for much of the way, through pleasant countryside, this is one of the easier national trails and the walk is described over 11 stages. The route follows the chalk ridge that forms the north downs between farnham and dover and the trail is jointly managed by both surrey and kent county councils and will be supported by, pending its formal establishment as a new statutory. Without doubt the best guide book is the official north downs way trail guide published by aurum press. The route is described in 11 stages, and is fully illustrated with colour photographs and os map extracts. Guidebook to walking the north downs way national trail, a mile 208km trail between farnham and dover, with an optional visit to canterbury. Feb 25, 2007 buy north downs way national trail guides by curtis, neil, walker, jim isbn.
Whether you are looking for a short stroll with spectacular downland views or aiming to tackle the full 153 miles 245km from farnham to dover,the north downs way is the perfect way to recharge your. A 1mile national trail, the north downs way runs from farnham in surrey to dover in kent via canterbury, winding its way through the protected landscape of two areas of outstanding natural beauty, the surrey hills and the kent downs. North downs way volunteering national trail breaks. The course travels from farnham, in the surrey hills, then works its way through some of the best of the english countryside to wye, in kent. At a book size of 240mm x 4mm it is the same size as the standard folded os map. May 25, 2010 the south downs way runs for 100 miles 160 km over the chalk downland of sussex and hampshire, from eastbourne to winchester.
Tired of thinking about what to say for interviews. The north downs way national trail broadly follows the historic pilgrims way along the downs to canterbury. North downs way uk national trail, 153 miles, 8 walking days, july 2009october 2009 farnham dorking brasted cuxton wyewye folkestone shepherdswell canterbury chartham hatch wye when i started out on the north downs way in july 2009, my intention was to walk the entire 153mile trail, including. North downs way national trail walking book includes. A guidebook to walking the north downs way national trail, a mile 208km walk between the high downland of farnham and the historic city of dover on the kent coast, with an optional visit to canterbury. The trail is undulating and varied throughout with some lovely scenery along the. The route follows the chalk ridge that forms the north downs between farnham and dover and the trail is jointly managed by both surrey and kent county councils and will be supported by, pending its formal establishment as a new statutory agency, natural england. A mile walk that stretches across southeast england from surrey to kent.
Mountain biking north downs guidebook 21 mtb routes. The official guide to this superb national trail, published in conjunction with walk unlimited. The north downs way, a 1mile 211km national trail runs from farnham in surrey to dover in kent via canterbury, winding its way through the protected landscape of two areas of outstanding national beauty, the surrey hills and the kent downs. 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. Published in association with the countryside agency. Planning your north downs way walk planning your own walk. The best of surrey and kent offroad north downs way. The path passes medieval churches, castles, neolithic burial sites, vineyards and numerous wwii. The north downs have a history of constant struggle, for in the time of the war of the ring, this location experienced deep trouble from orcs and other evil creatures, who were spurred on by the news of the cloud in the east.
The south downs way, 100 miles from winchester to eastbourne, is the most popular of the national trails. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims on an inspirational 153 mile journey from farnham to canterbury and the white cliffs of dover through a beautiful landscape rich in heritage. Nov 26, 2019 the north downs way passes through several towns and large villages where finding accommodation shouldnt be too difficult, however you may be advised to book in advance if you want to find something close to the trail. North downs way escape the hustle and bustle of urban living to discover inspirational landscapes and peaceful walks along the north downs way. This is a good book if you are considering walking the north downs way as it contains all the maps you need. It is 156 miles long, including a loop via canterbury at the eastern end. North downs way national trail ldwa long distance paths. Walking the north downs way can be enjoyed yearround as long as you dress suitably and take it for granted that even in summer there may be parts of the trail that are muddy. This picturesque trail takes in chalk ridges, river valleys and sections of the pilgrims way. The north downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east england that stretch from farnham in surrey to the white cliffs of dover in kent. Find out about the trail and use the interactive map to explore accommodation, services and attractions on the route. North downs way national trail walking book includes cicerone.
North downs way national trail guide by countryside. North downs way national trail guides by curtis, neil. Walk across stunning chalk escarpments, pass through the surrey hills and kent downs areas of outstanding natural beauty, and work your way along a 153 mile 246 km hike over wooded hills and magnificent valleys. All these maps are available from all good book shops nationwide and have a normal. This is ok for those that cannot read a map and need extra help in finding their way. The north downs way is actually well signposted and there is an argument for the sections that i completed that a guidebook is not needed. The north downs way was officially opened as a national trail in 1978 by the then archbishop of canterbury, dr donald coggan. Find the north downs way by catherine ames at blurb books. North downs way national trail guides by walker, jim. There was a steep grassy hill on one side of us, and our route was marked off with a single line of barbed wire. The third and final stage of the north downs way is an absolute belter, and one really for the history buffs.