Nooks and dells of paradise

Conjure up Samuel Palmer's exquisite images of cornfields, blossom and shepherds by moonlight and you are picturing the farmlands around Shoreham, in the heart of Kent, which inspired the artist's best-known works. This part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty centres on the town of Sevenoaks, where the first nationally reported cricket match took place in 1734 when The Gentlemen of Sussex took on The Gentlemen of Kent. Around it is a charmed circle of historic houses, castles and gardens of impeccable pedigree, from Sir Winston Churchill's country retreat at Chartwell to Vita Sackville West's birthplace at Knole, whose 52 staircases and 365 rooms make it England's biggest private home. Time seems to have stood still at architectural gems like half-timbered Igtham Mote or Penshurst Place, a medieval masterpiece that retains the feeling of family home. Picturesque Hever Castle was Anne Boleyn's childhood home. She and Henry VIII returned to Kent as regular guests at Lullingstone Castle, in the fertile Darent Valley, whose latest addition - a giant map made of rocks and plants from all around the world - has won its gardens the 2005 UK Tourism Award. Combine this with a visit to Lullingstone's Roman Villa: another superb example of its kind.

Your country escape

Explore a very pretty section of the Darent Valley Path that follows the river through the "nooks and dells of paradise" that Palmer so admired. Parking or arriving at Farningham Road station, turn left out of the station, cross the main road and go straight ahead to turn left at the river, onto the waymarked path. Skirting Horton Kirby, you pass the weir and Elizabethan Franks Hall (complete with the ghost of her lady-in-waiting) and come to Farningham, with its 18-century High Street, imposing Manor House and Norman church. Leaving by Sparepenny Lane (a shortcut used to dodge the tollgates) enjoy the superb country views that bring you in to charming Eynsford, with its ford, corn mill and cottages of weatherboarding, ancient timbers, brick and flint. Emerging from Eynsford's graceful red-brick viaduct, the path leads on to Eagle Heights birds of prey centre before resuming its willowy river route to pass Lullingstone Roman Villa, Lullingstone Castle and Lullingstone Park and Visitor Centre, a further 535 acres of woodlands and downs that are particular popular for bird-watching. You then walk on amongst hops, orchards and fields of cattle to Shoreham, where you'll find Samuel Palmer's 19th-century home, Water House, amongst the beautiful old houses and cottages by the bridge. From Shoreham, the path leads you round the golf course and through the Darent Gap to the tea rooms and village green at Otford, which has the only "Listed" duck pond in the country! Make the return journey by train, from Otford station.

Fact file

Distance 8 miles; time 4 ½ hours. Waymarked throughout Darent Valley Path. Map ref: OS Pathfinder 1208 & 1192. For rail services call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit www.kentpublictransport.info

To complete your break you might also visit:
Shoreham Aircraft Museum;
Eagle Heights Bird of Prey Centre, Eynsford;
Riverhill House Gardens, Sevenoaks;
Chiddingstone Castle;
Squerreys Court Manor House, Westerham;
Quebec House, Westerham (NT);
Emmetts Garden, Ide Hill (NT);
Penshurst Vineyards.

Tourist Information Centre
Sevenoaks:
Sevenoaks Bus Station,
Buckhurst Lane,
Sevenoaks
TN13 1LX
Tel: 01732 450305
Email: tic@sevenoakstown.gov.uk
Website: www.heartofkent.org.uk

Travel by train to: Farningham Road, Eynsford, Shoreham and Otford