Winter Walks in Kent

Dig out your hat and scarf, and blow away those winter cobwebs with a walk through the beautiful Kent countryside. Now is the perfect time to explore the many marked trails through woodland and across the Downs, with plenty of fresh air and an abundance of winter wildlife to experience. The frosty mornings, snowy landscapes and animals preparing for the cold winter will delight adults and children of all ages.

Why not stop off at one of the many country pubs across the county, many with roaring log fires and hearty food and drink - a perfect stop off point during your walk, or an even better reward for a challenging hike through the Garden of England.

Here are just some of our favourite walks around Kent's beautiful countryside, and for more guided and marked walks in Kent, visit the Explore Kent website, where you can also find more about cycling trails and bridal paths across the county.

Winter Trails at Bedgebury

The frost or snowy outlets at Bedgebury National Pinetum are a marvel to behold. The extensive woodland conifers look spectacular at this time of year, offering a dramatic contrast of winter colours. Alongside the woodland are a wealth of birds, adnimals, insects and flowers all preparing for the winter - Goldcrests can be seen among the conifers and during the winter afternoons, hawfinches roost in the Pinetum. The visitor centre feeder also attracts woodpeckers, siskins, marsh tits and nuthatches.

National Trust Walks

Many National Trust properties are still open during the winter, including Scotney Castle, perfect for a winter walk. Its parkland, woodland and hop farm offer wonderful views across the Weald of Kent. The beautiful Ightham Mote offers three waymarked self-guided walks on the surrounding estate - pick up a leaflet from visitor reception. At Chartwell, home of Sir Winston Churchill, there are three marked countryside walks with stunning views over the Weald. There is also a New Year's Day walk and brunch around the estate, starting at 10.30am - perfect for wearing off all that Christmas turkey! The iconic White Cliffs of Dover are also perfect for a bracing walk, but make sure you wrap up well! On a good day, you can see France from the cliffs, and you may spot the many birds and wildlife that inhabit the cliffs.

Village Rambles

The village green and historic houses of Chartham mark the start of a pleasant circular walk through the Stour Valley and back along part of the North Downs Way. The full Stour Valley Walk is 51 miles in length, but takes in many of Kent's most picturesque villages on the way, but you can join the route at any point for an enjoyable ramble. For brave walkers, you might like to try a gentle walk around Pluckley, said to be the most haunted village in the England, and also the setting for the iconic Darling Buds of May television series.

The Tunbridge Wells area also has short walks that offer picturesque views across the countryside. A three mile circular walk around the village of Cranbrook is a popular route for walkers eager to try out the many independent shops on the way, and marvel at the many types of historic Wealden buildings along hte route. Alternatively, a circular four mile walk along part of the Greensand Way in Linton offers orchards and oasts along the way.