Countryside views along the Darent Valley

Take the train to see historic houses, a vineyard and a solar system in the pretty Darent Valley countryside.

The picturesque Darent Valley line connects Swanley and Sevenoaks, stopping at four stations along the way.

Your journey starts at the historic market town of Sevenoaks, make sure you explore Knole, a 600 year old estate in an exquisite medieval deer park.

Further along the line you can explore Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, accessible from Bat & Ball Station. Otford is the next stop and was once home to one of the biggest palaces in England.

Explore pretty Shoreham village, the ideal place for setting off on a country walk or take time out and try your hand at wine tasting at the award-winning Mount Vineyard.

Leave the train at Eynsford Station where you have the chance to explore the remains of Enysford Castle and Lullingtone Roman Villa.

The last stop brings us to Swanley Station, a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. Join the Darent Valley Path or explore the family park with its boating lake and mini golf.

Looking to organise a group visit to Darent Valley? Take a look at our dedicated group travel page and download the Darent Valley group itinerary here.

Highlights

Lavendar tours & the Hop Shop at Castle Farm

Get your walking shoes on & explore the Darent Valley Path

Wine tasting at the award-winning Mount Vineyard

Find out more

Local line website

Getting there

Train/bus Car Plane

Route

Sevenoaks - Swanley

Cost

£6.70 Off-Peak Day Return

Opening times

All year | 7 days a week

Journey time

20min

Distance

11 mile | 17.7 km

Time from London

0:30 hours (see itinerary)

Plan your trip

Suggested itinerary

Sevenoaks Station

The historic market town of Sevenoaks thrums with independent and high street shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Stroll the length of the High Street to see Knole, a 600 year old estate in an exquisite medieval deer park.

Bat & Ball Station

From here you can explore Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve but before you do make sure to spend time marvelling at the beautifully restored Victorian station, once used by Queen Victoria when she visited Knole.

Otford Station

You'd never know it when you first step off the train at this quiet village with a duck pond at its heart, but Otford was once home to one of the biggest palaces in England.

Shoreham Station

A pretty village with a medieval bridge spanning the River Darent, Shoreham is the place for country walks and wine tasting at the award-winning Mount Vineyard.

Stretch your legs with a walk from Shoreham Station to Eynsford Station. Enjoy listening to local farmer William Alexander as you wander across this rural landscape of rolling hills, deep valleys and meandering rivers. Discover a Norman castle, a Roman villa and a feat of Victorian engineering. Click here to see the full route...

Eynsford Station

In and around Eynsford you'll find the Norman remains of Eynsford Castle, Lullingstone Roman Villa (the largest excavated Roman villa in England) and Lullingstone Country Park. There's also Lullingstone Castle and The World Garden, only a short walk from the station.

Around 1.5 miles from Eynsford Station (and the same distance from Shoreham Station) you'll find Castle Farm. Here you can explore the picturesque Lavender Fields and make sure you visit the The Hop Shop before you leave.

Swanley Station

The town of Swanley is another great spot to join the Darent Valley Path and it has one of the best family parks in the area, boasting over 60 acres of outdoor space including a boating lake and mini golf.