Walk the North Downs Way, one of England’s classic long-distance National Trails, stretching 208km (130 miles) from Farnham in Surrey to Dover on the Kent coast. Following the high chalk ridges of the North Downs, this waymarked route passes through rolling countryside, historic towns, picturesque villages, and the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs National Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
This Cicerone guidebook provides everything you need to plan and walk the North Downs Way with confidence. Whether tackling the full trail over 11–12 days or exploring it in sections, the guidebook combines stage-by-stage route guidance, detailed mapping, practical planning advice, and cultural context to help you make the most of your walk. With gentle gradients and well-maintained paths, it is suitable for walkers of all levels, while panoramic views, historic sites, and cultural highlights ensure a rich and rewarding journey.
Perfect for April to October, when downland wildflowers bloom, this beginner-friendly trail passes Guildford, Otford, Wye, Chilham and Patrixbourne and is a gentler alternative to the South Downs Way, with fewer crowds and rich history from Neolithic tombs to Dickens' Kent. Your comprehensive Cicerone guidebook transforms planning into discovery across England's garden heartlands.