Hi, and welcome to our road trip around the Darenth Valley
This is part one of a two part series
We're just a stone's throw from the M25 motorway, but don't go around their own stones
Once again we're in the beautiful county of Kent, in the southeast of England
Our journey will start at junction 3 of the M25 motorway and head towards the historic village of Farningham
and then we'll head on to the equally quaint village of Eynsford
in part two we'll complete this 17-mile road trip around the Dareth Valley
taking in Otford, Shoreham and Lullingstone before returning to the M25
So without further ado, let's start this Kentish road trip
and here we are leaving the M25 roundabout and heading along the A20 towards Farningham and West Kingsdown
and that junction to our right is where we'll rejoin the A20 when we complete this road trip
but for now, let's complete the mile and a half journey towards Farningham
and at this roundabout we're going to take a right towards Farningham
so into the right-hand lane and around we go
to our left is the car park for the Lion Hotel and also a public Pay & Display car park
However, let's see if we can find some parking in the village
this is a nostalgic look at old England and Farningham is a beautiful little Kent village
and it's one that Janis and I separately remember from our childhoods, and we'll see why shortly
now let's find somewhere to park and explore Farningham
The relatively new village sign gives us some clues towards Farninghams's historic past
because the top is Wadard, a nobleman, an ally of William the Conqueror, who has given Farningham as a gift
and it's still a desirable residence with homes based around Farningham Mill
and on the other side of the road, the place of our childhood memories
The Lion Hotel
It turns out that we were both brought here by our respective parents
although I've got to be honest I think it's gone a little upmarket since those days
but I guess it was the ideal place to bring kids
as we were all fascinated by the River Darent
and of course the Cow Gate
now you may notice I'm switching between the Darent and the Darenth
The river is the Darent and I know the valley as the Darenth
and I'm also horrified to see the sign that says this is a historic structure
because both Janis and I are gonna confess to playing on this when we were kids
well I guess it was the '70s
Now let's take a look at Saint Peter and Paul's church
because if you've watched any of our videos before, you'll know Janis can't resist a churchyard
this is another example of an early Norman church
it seems the Normans considerably changed the landscape of this place
and we'll wander up the high street past the Pied Bull Pub, more of a country dining experience
but we're now going to return to the Lion and head
back up the hill towards the other half of the high street
and now another pub the Chequers, but this one's also part art gallery
and then there's the traditional butchers, as well as other beautiful homes, as we head up
and I must mention Wadards, the second-hand bookshop. Who doesn't love a rummage around the dusty shelves
and then other historic buildings like this one on the corner of Sparepenny Lane
We've now crossed over from the High Street onto London Road
and this is where we will complete our journey on part two, so don't forget to subscribe, if you want to catch that
and looking back down London Road you can see the other side of the valley that we're gonna be traversing
Anyway, it's time to jump back in the car and head back through the village
and now a little word of warning, the junction known as White Post Corner, where the High Street
joins Eynsfordford road, also known as the A225, can be a little tricky
so take care, and just take your time
It's only a mile until we reach Eynsford and this is one of those reasons we really like to explore Kent
It has these beautiful little hidden gems like the wonderful little village of Eynsford
Now, I'm not gonna lie to you, the A225 can get busy, so again, just take your time and enjoy yourself
once again I have to be honest with you here, parking can be a challenge, there is a free car park in town
and it's here to our right
So we're gonna park up and explore Eynsford
So, starting at the village sign, we're gonna pass the war memorial and start heading back towards Farningham
this place has a traditional feel of old England, like Norman's, the butchers
and Rafferty's, the village store
take away the cars and this could be a period set from a TV or movie
and hidden way back here is Eynsford Castle which is owned and operated by English Heritage
and is free to enter it also has a small free car park at the side too
Eynsford Castle is an early example of a Norman enclosure castle, built by William de Eynsford, in the 1080s
just after the Norman Conquest
it must have looked magnificent in its heyday
it was abandoned in the 14th century after an inheritance dispute and a touch of vandalism
but it's still amazing to think that it has stood for over 900 years
I'll put a link in the description to the English Heritage site so you can see more information on the castle
and just opposite as we return to the High Street, we come across the Castle Hotel
a Shepherd and Neame pub and also the Five Bells another little pub
and just as a note this route would be good for cyclists, but remember I did say the main roads are a little busy
and when they're heading back, past the car park, towards St Martin's church
and as you'd expect this is an early Norman church and yes we're going to have a little look around
and across the road from the church's lychgate you'll see the old ford
and you'll also find the village newsagents and gift shop
We're just going to head a little further up, past another pub, this is the Malt Shovel
and also taking some more beautiful buildings that surround Eynsford
but I know, you just want to head back towards the ford don't you?
next the ford is a little tearoom, for once it's not a pub
most traffic takes the bridge the HGVs and coaches have to take the ford
but that doesn't stop the kids playing
and to protect their privacy I blurred their faces a touch
crossing the bridge can be interesting, but don't forget to take a look back towards St Martin's church
and then there's always someone that has to come spoil the kids fun isn't there
but don't worry it's not long before normal service is resumed and the kids head back
and one more pub, the Plough, next to the riverside, and this is the touristy one, but hey that's okay
and after a look around it's now time to hit the road again
and at this point, I want to show you where Eynsford station is
it's about half a mile outside the village but the scenery is not that bad so let's take a look
well there we go, that's the station entrance
and that brings this part of the Darenth Valley road trip to an end
I hope you like what we put together, and don't forget to hit subscribe so you catch part two
thanks so much for watching, stay safe, stay well