Section 2 of 2, Darent Valley Path
Farningham to Purfleet-on-Thames
9.7 miles (15.5 km). About 3 hours, moderate.
Start: TQ 545 670. Finish: TQ 542 779. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. Public footpath SU11 in Sevenoaks, between Bradbourne Vale Road and Lambarde Road, is closed from 5 October 2026, with a signed alternative along those two roads. Source: explorekent.org.
Up and down
Almost flat: about 32 m of climbing and 60 m of descent; highest point 40 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Farningham.
- Bus stops
- Lion Hotel, 40 m from the start. Directions TQ 546 670Pied Bull, 270 m from the start. Directions TQ 547 668
- Car park
- Car park, 330 m from the start. Directions TQ 548 668
Getting back
The section finishes at Purfleet-on-Thames. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- War Memorial, 890 m from the finish. Directions TQ 550 783Comet Close, 990 m from the finish. Directions TQ 550 785
Planning the Darent Valley Path
- Planning the whole trail: explorekent.org.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Three River Valley Walks in West Kent: Darent Valley Path, Eden Valley Walk and Medway Valley Walk (2nd edition, 2026) (Kent Ramblers).
What to expect
Underfoot: gravel and tracks 52%, paved or flagged 27%, earth, rock and mud 15%.
About 14% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 1 stile, 3 kissing gates, 8 gates, 4 flights of steps.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 7 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Bridges, South Darenth: 2.1 miles in.The Jolly Miller, South Darenth: 2.3 miles in.The Chequers, Lane End: 3.7 miles in.The Phoenix, Dartford: 6 miles in. Dogs welcome, real ale.Atlantis, Dartford: 6.1 miles in. Food.The Wat Tyler, Dartford: 6.1 miles in. Real ale.The Hufflers Arms, Dartford: 6.6 miles in.Pied Bull, Farningham: near the start, about 300 m off the way.The Fighting Cocks, Horton Kirby: 1.4 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Bull, Horton Kirby: 1.5 miles in, about 350 m off the way.And 11 more within a quarter of a mile.
- Cafés
- Turners Café, South Darenth: 2.3 miles in.Cafe Questor, Brooklands: 5.2 miles in.Cafe in the Park, Dartford: 5.8 miles in.Emochi, Dartford: 6 miles in.Bella Venezia, Dartford: 6.1 miles in.Ali's Cafe, Dartford: 6.1 miles in.All Day Cafe, Dartford: 6.1 miles in.The Churchyard Tea Room, Dartford: 6.1 miles in.Coffee Goat, Dartford: 6.5 miles in.Hawley Garden Centre: 4 miles in, about 250 m off the way.And 8 more within a quarter of a mile.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
Walked it? Log it
Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.