Hayes to Knockholt walk
Close to London, this walk in north-west Kent is entirely rural, traversing fields, woods and valleys in London's 'Green Belt'. It passes Charles Darwin's home, Down House (EH)
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Yet another of those surprisingly rural walks within TFL zones 5 and 6, with this one being 10 miles in north-west Kent.
Within five minutes of leaving the suburban Hayes station, the walker is into the countryside on Hayes Common and then into some lovely mixed woodland. Then, it's on past Keston village, joining 'The London Loop' path, through more woods and on to Keston Ponds. 'Wilberforce Oak' is past shortly after, with the village of Downe, coming not long after this. An early lunch is possible here.
Pressing on though, the walker passes Darwin's former home, Down House, before crossing fields, and arriving at the high point of the walk (175m), the village of Cudham, where lunch is taken. There's a choice of the recommended pub, where some fine views can be had opposite, or a bench in the local park, as here.
Recharged, it's on across some more fields, with distant views of Canary Wharf, before some quiet lane walking to reach Rushmore Hill. A golf course is crossed shortly before reaching the station at Knockholt.