Orpsev one

Verified Slow Way

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For me, this one is around 3.5/5, but because it doesn't quite measure up to other routes that I've given 4 stars for, I've rounded down to 3.

This is a good, practical route between Orpington and Sevenoaks. Where the bits are good, they're really good - wide tracks, nice landscapes, and easy to navigate. I loved the paths through the woodlands and overlooking the North Downs. The lunch spot we got close to the lake in Chipstead was a beautiful place to take a break for lunch.

What knocks the rating for me are the many busy road crossings where drivers come at quite fast speeds and some of the spots where you have to share the road with motor vehicles. Compared to some other routes, the road sharing here isn't terrible, but if traffic gets any busier it isn't very pleasant.

Great walk

Like the others slight diversion by the farm
Then some very overgrown nettles about 200 yards worth

But all round lovely walk.

This was an enjoyable walk but I confess I missed out the first 1/3, only starting from Knockholt station (which is near to Pratt's Bottom but not very near Knockholt) then onwards to Sevenoaks station. It's commuter belt rural and has some very lovely sections in the rolling downland. Chevening village and church were a particular treat to see, chocolate box pretty. Quite a lot of the footpaths and roads run between hedges, so not as many views as you might hope for. and the chance of a view over the Weald from the edge of the North Downs was blocked by woodland.

The footpath confusion around Fairtrough Farm seems to be a perennial problem, not just for Slow-way-farers. The path was moved (around 2004!) and now is a few hundred metres so west of the farmyard entrance track, right before the next access track. Coming from the north, shortly before you reach the road there a gate into the field to the right (sign saying Dogs on Leads) then skirt across the edge to another small gate, pop across the road, through another gate onto a woodland path which is rather beautiful. No need to walk along the road. Screenshot with map showing the current route of that footpath is attached, god knows why the Ordnance Survey maps are still showing the old path.

A little later the route begins a long-ish road walking section. At first with no verges, high hedges both sides and right by a tight bend. Gulp. But improving fairly quickly and actually very quiet - I only saw a handful of cars despite it being the evening rush-hour. And it is a pretty lane, especially down into and up out of the valley. There is a fairly obvious footpath alternative, which is about 1 km longer. I might try that another time, and maybe search out a nice Wealden view. Over the whole route there is more road walking but on pavements or well within village boundaries, I felt reasonably safe.

There are pubs right on the route in Pratts Bottom, Knockholt Pound and Riverhead. In K. Pound there's also a shop plus a garden centre with a good cafe. Knockholt station is easily to find, only 1 km off route. GPS failed a couple of times, take a map/print out. There are gates, kissing gates, stiles, an odd thing with chains, a long series of packed earth steps, plus protruding tree roots, lumpy flints, a fallen tree across the path, some light cow-stired mud (early Oct before the autumn rains truly kicked in) and rutted paths. And it's moderately steep for short stretches. Two bits of footpath were somewhat overgrown, but not impassable. Not great for wheelchairs or delicate fabrics.

A pleasant walk through well-heeled suburbia, chalky fields, and pretty woodland. There's a fair bit of ups-and-downs (inevitable when crossing the North Downs) and quite a bit of road walking, but where this occurs it's either on quite country lanes or slightly busier roads with pavements. There are a couple of places where busy roads have to be crossed, but generally there is either a zebra crossing, traffic lights or at the very least a traffic island in the middle to make crossing easier. The path quality is generally well signed and easy to follow (though pay attention for flying golf balls when crossing the Chelsfield Lakes Golf Course). There are steps in places, and some uneven terrain but a pair of trainers is sufficient, especially when the ground in dry.

One thing to note is that the OS Explorer map and the GPX track associated with this Slow Way are slightly out of date at Fairtrough Farm (the OS Landranger is correct though). The footpath no longer passes through Fairtrough Farm and instead emerges onto Port Lane further west. You can either use this or skip the footpath entirely by going directly along Fairtrough Rd (not heavily used by traffic) from the junction with Washneys Road/Perry Lane to the junction with Budgins Hill/Port Hill.

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