A WALK IN THE KENTISH

COUNTRYSIDE

F E B R U A R Y 5 , 2 0 2 1

In this, the 6,498th month of lock down, it’s almost a moot point to mention how hard this has been on everyone. It seems like every article I’ve read in the last few months has started by waxing poetic about the trials and tribulations of lockdown and the virus. And while I think this is completely justifiable, I’ll spare you a broken record repeat of what you’re already well aware of.

I would, however, like to call attention to one aspect of lockdown that has most city dwellers going a bit mad: good old fashioned cabin fever. After having spent the first several months of lockdown in Ohio, where I can easily drive myself to metro parks and forest areas, returning to London, where the use of public transport is inadvisable and true nature is few and far between, I’ve struggled with the absolute lack of anything that feels like real, unmanicured nature. But, luckily for Chef and I, we have family in the not-too-distant Kentish countryside. So – into our safety bubble we go, and off to Farningham.

Aside from being a quintessentially lovely English village, Farningham is a convenient 20 to 30 minute drive from east London and boasts some beautiful country walks and much needed views, as well as an ancient forest. With many a footpath and towpath, you can easily walk between neighboring towns and villages. Unfortunately, due to restrictions, you can’t stop at any of the local pubs or vineyards at the moment, but you’ll find some of them serving hot takeaway drinks, such as coffee and mulled wine, to the many locals out on their daily exercise. Boozy workout? Yes, please.

On this particular excursion, we started out on a footpath off Sparepenny Lane (how can you not love that name?). Cutting across the top the broad bean fields, with views of Eynsford castle down the slope to the left, we trekked through the remains of harvested crops and over train tracks, towards the Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation. Situated atop a hill with expansive views of the rolling Kentish countryside, we paused near here to take in our idyllic our surroundings. Circling back, past Lullingstone Roman Villa and under the viaduct (very appropriate next to the ruins, as it draws a strong visual comparison to the early Roman aqueducts), we ventured towards and through the village of Eynsford itself. From there we made our way leisurely back to Farningham, possibly with a few more mulled wines in hand. Side note: during non-lock-down-days, Lullingstone & Eagle Heights are well worth a visit.

This countryside hike took approximately 2 or 3 hours, or roughly the time it would have taken me to travel to south west London and back. However, this was clearly a much healthier and more rewarding use of my time.