North Downs Way

Limpsfield → Otford

Distance: 11.0 miles
Ascent: 112 metres
Duration: 4 hours 1 minute

Along the top
« Not walked | Not walked »

While yesterday's walk involved three separate ascents of the Downs escarpment, today we started and remained on the top for almost the entire route: we only dropped down for the final two miles along roads between Chevening and Otford. Just before descending we saw the Downs as a ridge for the first time, with views dropping off simultaneously to the north and south.

This is a very affluent area. Over this weekend large gated houses set back in huge grounds adorned with security cameras, tall fences and (frankly unnecessary) signs that declare the land to be "PRIVATE" have been common. We've crossed many horse paddocks and been run off the narrow roads by Bentleys and Range Rovers.

But as we descended there were still some signs of traditional activity: fields of sheep, and straw tightly bound in round bales. I'm not sure what to make of last field we passed though: row upon row of neatly trimmed lavender bushes.