Today I want to share 3 walks in Kent you’ll love taking. The Garden of England is a great place to get outdoors and explore Britain on foot. From coastal hikes to country rambles, there are fun walks you can do throughout the county. Whether you love castles or beaches, stately homes or seaside towns, there’s a walk in Kent for you.
Walks in Kent
I’ve gone on a lot of hikes and walks in Kent over the years. They’ve proven that I don’t have to go far to get into beautiful landscapes and coastal scenery.
From seaside towns like Ramsgate to legendary castles in Dover, there’s no shortage of great places to visit in Kent on walks. Each one on my list can be done as a day trip from London, too, so they’re perfect for visitors and locals alike.
You can read about additional walks and find further details in 50 Walks in Kent: 50 Walks of 2-10 Miles. If you’re in the UK, you can get it on Amazon here. If you’re in the US, you can get it on Amazon here.
Beyond these walks in Kent, I’ve written guides to my favorite country walks near London and my top country walks in Britain. They have more ideas for you as well.
1. Folkestone to Dover Walk in Kent
My first walk in Kent is down on the south coast. This 9.2-mile (14.8-kilometer) hike will take you from Folkestone to Dover. It’s one of the best walks near London by train.
The route of this ramble clings to the shoreline and ascends the iconic white cliffs, offering panoramic views across the English Channel along the way. It’s one of my favorite coastal walks near London.
This hike is for you if you like being by the seaside and enjoy walking along the waterfront. It’s also an ideal one if you love historic streets, as Folkestone is full of lanes with pretty houses and shops.
There’s one steep hill you’ll have to climb in the middle of this walk, so it’s a good choice if you like a challenging route.
I lucked out with the weather when I did this hike in Kent, and I recommend doing it on a sunny day if you can. That’s not least because you’ll see France in the distance if it’s a clear day.
You can visit Dover Castle at the end if you’d like to as well. This legendary fortress is one of the most famous castles near London.
If you’re up for doing this ramble, you can see the full route and photos on my blog post about a Folkestone to Dover walk.
2. Sevenoaks Walk in Kent
My second country walk in Kent is a point-to-point one near London. This hike will bring you from Sevenoaks to stately homes and through wooded areas to Westerham, a town known for its Winston Churchill connections.
This 11.6-mile (18.7-kilometer) walk starts at the Sevenoaks train station in Kent. After passing through the town, it veers off into Knole Park, where you’ll see Knole, one of the most famous stately homes near London.
The route continues through fields and forested areas in Kent before passing a National Trust garden and going alongside pretty country cottages to reach Westerham.
This walk in Kent is perfect if you want to do one close to London. It’s less than a 30-minute train ride from the capital, so it’s convenient as far as location goes.
The route is generally flat apart from one steep hill with steps, so it’s fairly forgiving in terms of topography.
If you want to do this walk, you can find the details, photos, and video on my Sevenoaks walk post.
3. Margate to Broadstairs and Ramsgate Walk in Kent
Third on my list of the best walks in Kent is one from Margate to Ramsgate via Broadstairs. This walk on the Isle of Thanet will bring you to some of the most beloved seaside towns in southern England.
The 6.8-mile (11-kilometer) route follows part of the Thanet Coastal Path. It will take you past nine bays, including Margate Main Sands, the surfing spot at Joss Bay, Viking Bay beach in Broadstairs, and Ramsgate Main Sands.
The walk takes 3.5 to 4 hours to complete, and it’s a good choice if you like beaches, seaside towns, and chalk cliffs in equal measure.
I made an overnight trip of it and stayed at The Bay Tree Hotel in Broadstairs. If you want to do the same, you can book a room here.
You can find the full route for this walk in Kent on Ordnance Survey Explorer map 150 (Canterbury and Isle of Thanet). You can get it on Amazon here.
If you want a longer walk in the county, you can go on the 32-mile (51.4-kilometer) Viking Coastal Trail, a circular route that passes Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and inland areas on the Isle of Thanet.
Best Walks in Kent
I hope this list of country walks in Kent has given you some good ideas for places to get outdoors in the UK. They’re great day trips from London, and fun ways to explore England on foot. Happy hiking!
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