Top walks in Kent

With a diverse landscape and plenty of wildlife, Kent is a great place to explore. From open countryside and woodland wanders, to gentle sloping strolls and scenic vistas, there's a trail for everyone.

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A family walking in the woods at Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire — Enjoy a brisk winter walk

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Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops, countryside locations and many houses are open. You no longer need to pre-book at many places. Some still require booking ahead, so please check the property webpage before you travel.

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Estate walks

The Scotney parkland trail

Blue waymarkers will take you two miles around the Scotney Castle parkland, for stunning views back over the Old Castle and up to the mansion. Discover more about the estate's features, over bridges, past bomb craters and under gnarly old trees that have looked down on the landscape for decades. Circular loop linking back to the main car park. Dogs welcome on leads.

The view across the Kentish Weald from the shop at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Walking at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

There's peace and beauty to be found across the Sissinghurst garden and estate in winter. Head out to Park Field to admire the Tower framed by mighty oaks. Take in the reflections in the lake on a 1 mile loop, or venture further to see 1,100 fruit trees, which become rather ethereal in the colder months. Take a look at the Sissinghurst estate walk for inspiration on where to wander.

Knole's Family Walk

This 5km walk starts at the front of the house, simply follow the red waymarkers. Enjoy views in the historic parkland and spot the wild deer herd from a safe distance. Most of this 1 hour walk is on hardstanding ground. Pick up a map from the Visitor Centre.

Walks near Chartwell

Spring sun through the trees at Toys Hill, a natural area owned by the National Trust in Kent

Octavia Hill Centenary Trail - life and history

Celebrate the life of Octavia Hill (1838–1912) on a walk to the picturesque village of Ide Hill and her commemorative seat, passing Emmetts Garden on the way back.

The Weardale monument at Toys Hill, a National Trust property in Kent

Weardale Circular Walk From Chartwell

This beautiful circular walk links Chartwell and Emmetts Garden; passing through the woodland areas of Toys Hill and Hosey Common, as well as the pretty hamlet of French Street.

The house at Chartwell surrounded by the golds and reds of autumn colour

Westerham to Chartwell Trail

Visiting the town of Westerham? Follow our step-by-step guide from The Green in Westerham and find yourself just outside the car park to Chartwell, the home of one of Britain's most famous prime ministers.

Keep an eye out for...

The Octavia Hill well at Toys Hill, a National Trust place in Kent

Well, well, well

Octavia Hill (one of the founding members of the National Trust) sank a well for the residents of Toys Hill to use and gifted it to the National Trust in 1898. The well was restored in 1999 and has some of the best views across the Weald of Kent to the Ashdown Forest in the far distance.

The bat tower at Toys Hill, a National Trust countryside site in Kent

A batty place for a tower

The bat tower was once used as the water tower for the Weardale estate. After suffering damage in the 1987 storm, we decided to convert the tower into a bat hibernaculum. The tower is well used by bats and they seem to like hanging out in their new home.

A pond that supplied water to the Emmetts estate near Toys Hill and Emmetts Garden, National Trust places in Kent

Pump it up at Pugden

Next to a beautifully calm pond you'll see the remains of the Victorian ram pump system which was used to supply water for the Emmetts estate. The basic idea behind a ram pump is simple: it uses the momentum of a relatively large amount of moving water to pump a relatively small amount of water uphill.

Walks from Ightham Mote

Looking across the lawn to the cottages, with autumn flowers in bloom

Ightham Mote's circular walk to Oldbury Hill

Follow this circular walk from Ightham Mote to the site of Oldbury Hill, an area of mixed woodland as well as the site of an Iron Age hillfort dating from 150 and 50 BC.

Ightham Mote's circular walk to Knole

What could be better than a day out in the Kentish countryside incorporating two National Trust properties? Follow our circular walk from Ightham Mote, along the Greensand Way, passing through areas of outstanding natural beauty to Knole Park, before returning to Ightham Mote via the Duchess Walk, Godden Green and Broadhoath Wood.

The walk up to Wilmot Hill on the National Trust Ightham Mote estate in Kent

Ightham Mote's circular walk to Wilmot Hill

Enjoy the Kentish countryside from the Ightham Mote estate as you walk the periphery of a large part of its 580 acres. The walk incorporates Scathes Wood, the Greensand Way, Wilmot Hill and Broadhoath Wood.