The River Darent is a chalk stream and with only 210 chalk streams in the world it is very special. The Darent rises in Westerham, fed by springs from the Greensand Hills and flows 21 miles through Otford, Eynsford and Farningham before becoming a tidal estuary in Dartford where it joins the River Thames.
Last summer I walked five miles along the Darent Valley between Eynsford railway station and Shoreham station. It was a delight. Aside from the river, highlights included fields of poppies near Eynsford, Lullingstone Castle, gardens and church, Lullingstone country park, hop fields, a lavender farm and a vineyard at Shoreham. Excellent pubs and tearooms made it a very civilised excursion.
Here are some photos:
