The Kent Downs team need your input to help develop a project plan to protect, conserve, and celebrate some of Kent's nationally significant ancient monuments and listed buildings.
Our heritage tells the story of who we are — and we want to make sure those stories are protected, shared, and celebrated for generations to come.
We’re gathering local insight to help shape a new project exploring how we care for ancient monuments, archaeological sites, and the landscapes that hold Kent’s oldest memories.
Whether you’re passionate about history, enjoy exploring local landmarks, or simply want to help safeguard the places that make Kent unique, your voice matters.
Share your thoughts in our short engagement survey:
👉 /echoesofthepast 🔗 in bio.
Your feedback will help guide future conservation work, community activities, and ways to bring our shared heritage to life.
#KentDowns #Heritage #CulturalHeritage #HistoricKent #AncientMonuments
We had a lovely morning with pupils from Beacon School on a Wellbeing Sensory session in Lower Leas Coastal Park, Folkestone.
Our sensory facilitators and North Downs Way Ambassadors @walkwildwellbeing@mobility_in_the_wild@helsfer guided the pupils and their carers around the landscape whilst connecting with nature through the available senses of sound, sight, touch and smell.
The nature connections bring feelings of joy and help relieve some of the self stimulating behaviours that are associated with neurodivergent conditions. The natural landscape also brings relaxation and calm, through awareness of the surroundings.
We listened to the birdsong and waves, felt the earth, pebbles, tree bark and leaves. Admired the beauty of flowers and smelt herbs. We spotted butterflies and bees and birds.
At the end of the session the wind really picked up, so was a blustery end to an otherwise warm yet cloudy morning.
Thanks to @northdownswaynt Putting Down Routes Project for supporting these valuable and beneficial nature sensory sessions.
@the_beacon_learning is an outstanding rated foundation special school who serve pupils with a range of profound, severe and complex needs. So we really value our sessions with them.
We especially appreciate how nature interaction can enhance communication without the need for words. 🫶🏼🌱🌳🍃🍂🍁🌺🌻🌾
#accessiblenaturewalk
#sensorynatureplay
#naturecommunication
🌈 Join Us For A Day Of Walking, Creative Writing And Mindfulness In The Kent Downs As Part Of National Walking Month!
🤸🏽 Led by North Downs Way ambassador, we’re heading out of London to walk the Wye Downs and Crundale Circular: 9.3 miles of chalk downland, sweeping valley views, wildflower meadows, and woodland shade along the North Downs Way.
🫧 Along the way, we’ll pause for free-flowing writing, poetry games, and guided mindfulness — savouring the joy of roaming free.
🐚 This walk will be led by Jo (@enjou28 ) and Emily (@lrceml ) two curious humans passionate about nature and community. Read more about them in the sign up page! (Link in bioooo)
📅 Saturday 23 May 2026
📍 Wye, Kent (train from St Pancras)
📏 9.3 miles | Moderate difficulty
🧑🤝🧑 Small group — 8 places only
💸 Free to attend
Some prior walking experience preferred. Full details and sign-up link in bio.
#nationalwalkingmonth2026
Started today up at Bluebell Hill with Jenn Phillips taking part in filming for the North Downs Way National Trail. A group of volunteers from Kent Wildlife Trust has been doing work on the site including replacing old gates with new, larger ones to make the trail more accessible. The film is being made in conjunction with the National Trails, UK. Hannah (from NTUK) and Ross (the film maker) were very clear and efficient and it was all wrapped up very quickly.
I’m now heading up to London where Jenn and I will be working for the next couple of days on a marathon charity trek for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Also happening during National Walking Month is a 13km guided walk for adults from Chilham to Canterbury on Sunday 17 May, led by North Downs Way Ambassador, Jane Taylor @jane_taylormadewalks .
This 13km rail trail linear route takes in some typical scenery for this part of Kent – orchards, pasture, arable fields, ancient woodlands and a few small villages. Along the way, we will pause to admire one of the art sculptures that make up the North Downs Way Art Trail. The walk will take approximately 5 hours, at a pace that is comfortable for the whole group, including a lunch stop and shorter rest breaks as needed.
Book now ➡️.uk/events/ 🔗in bio.
#NorthDownsWay #NationalWalkingMonth2026
Walk through thousands of years of history this May 🌿
As part of the North Kent Woods and Downs NNR's one-year anniversary, our North Downs Way and Geopark ambassador is leading a special two-day journey along the Neolithic Trail, exploring the Medway Megaliths and the stories shaped by this landscape over time.
Follow sections of the North Downs Way and Pilgrims Way, visit sites like Kits Coty and Coldrum Long Barrow, and take in sweeping views across the Kent Downs. As the day ends, gather around the fire, enjoy a hearty meal, and settle into the stillness of the landscape.
📆 24-25 May 2026
⏰ 10am - 4pm
📍 Aylesford
🎟️ Booking required
Explore one-year anniversary events (Link in bio)!
#NorthKentNNR #KingsNNRs #NatureNearYou #KentDowns #NationalNatureReserve @kentwalkinggroup@northdownswaynt
We’re excited to launch our North Downs Way Rail Trails – ten carefully curated walking routes that start and finish at railway stations, making it easier than ever to explore the Kent Downs sustainably.
Just in time for National Walking Month, these new trails are the perfect excuse to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and celebrate walking throughout May. Whether you’re fitting in a gentle countryside stroll or planning a longer adventure, there’s a rail trail to suit every pace.
From short circular walks to longer linear routes, these routes take in historic villages, breathtaking views, wildlife‑rich landscapes and iconic landmarks – all without the car.
Perfect for spring and summer exploring, why not discover somewhere new and start ticking them off?
Read the full blog and plan your next adventure ➡️.uk/blog/2026/03/north-downs-way-rail-trails/
#NorthDownsWay #RailTrails #NationalWalkingMonth2026 #SustainableTravel #KentDowns #LeaveTheCarAtHome #GreatBritishWalks #ExploreByTrain @explore_kent
Delightful day after the rolling fog had cleared at Abbot’s Cliff Sound Mirror to meet up with fellow national trail ramblers for a picnic and a photo shoot. The May sun soon burnt away the fog and its micro climate, which is a regular visitor to the clifftops around Capel Le Ferne, and blue skies changed the atmosphere of the landscape.
Such spectacular views across the ever changing Channel. Haze and colours ranging from yellows, blues, greys and purples. We saw France and Dungeness Power Station like a mirage rising above the mist on the sea.
We watched a steam train roll along the train tracks at the Warren below.
May flies, the sound of sky larks, meadow flowers, and occasional birds popping up from the Samphire Hoe Nature Reserve below.
We heard Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcaps along with the usual songbirds. We saw rabbits hopping and Skylarks trying to distract us from seeing their ground nesting spots.
We don’t usually visit on a weekend, and there were literally hundreds of hikers navigating along the @northdownswaynt which appeared that most groups were doing the rail trail between Folkestone and Dover.
We are looking forward to our next Wild with Wheels♿️ scoot here on Saturday 27th June with the Putting Down Routes Team, showcasing the new accessible path in front of the Sound Mirror. It proved to be very popular today, with many hikers, cyclists and wheelers using it.
#accessiblenaturewalk
#Soundmirror
#rollingfog
May is National Walking Month, and the Kent Downs are calling. 🥾
From brand‑new North Downs Way Rail Trails to mindful moments in Halling, this month is full of fresh air, big views and feel‑good adventures.
Don’t miss a thing — sign up to our May newsletter and be first to explore what’s new.
Sign up here: /hvDaWr 🔗in bio
#NorthDownsWay #NationalWalkingMonth2026
Sometimes the landscape tells a story. A touching moment on last weekend's Putting Down Routes walk; yellow fields, blue sky, and a group of Ukrainian refugees who instantly recognised the colours of home.
Last weekend, our North Downs Way ambassadors led a group from @sevenoakswelcomesrefugees along the North Downs Way, walking the new rail trail from Borough Green to Wrotham.
The walk began with a short train ride from Otford station to Borough Green and Wrotham, then winding through the quaint village of Wrotham, before joining the North Downs Way / Pilgrims Way, which they followed for around 10km.
The walkers were treated to some exceptional views. Several of the refugees in the group commented on how the sight of the yellow fields and the blue sky reminded them of their homeland and the Ukrainian flag.
The group climbed up to the top of the Downs where, after walking through bluebell woods, they stopped for a picnic lunch, admiring yet more sweeping views across to Sevenoaks and the Greensand Ridge. After passing through Kemsing Down Nature Reserve, they began the descent back to Otford.
This route is one of ten new North Downs Way Rail Trails created as part of the Putting Down Routes project, each beginning and ending at stations along the North Downs Way. .uk/blog/2026/03/north-downs-way-rail-trails/
Thank you to @se_railway for their generosity and continued support.
This event is part of the North Downs Way National Trail and Kent Downs National Landscape’s Putting Down Routes Project. This is funded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes.
#PuttingDownRoutes #NationalLottery #HeritageFund #NorthDownsWay #kent #walkinginkent #kentwalks #KentDowns #walking #walkingevents #railtrails #nationaltrails #TrailsYourWay #FiPL #FarminginProtectedLandscapes @kentdownsnl
⛪🌳Two friends, one great view
In our latest Rail to Trail film, supported by Great Western Railway, two friends meet at Chilworth station and climb up to St Martha’s Hill for fresh air, woodland paths and far-reaching views.
If you’re curious about exploring without the car, have a watch, then follow the journey info to plan your own day out without the car. We hope you are inspired to discover how easy it is to reach Surrey's Countryside by public transport!
👆 Visit the link in our bio to watch the full video and get further details about the journey and learn more about Surrey's Countryside
We were delighted to welcome the Sounding Art Trail project to the Kent Downs, led by the @cultureroutessociety and supported by the @britishcouncil 'Connections Through Culture' programme. From coastal Dover to the orchards and woodlands near Canterbury—and a Sound Walkshop in Otford—the visit explored the North Downs Way Art Trail and explored how sound, walking and site‑specific art can reveal stories of memory, industry and ecology, while building creative links between the UK and Turkey.
Read the full blog to learn more about the project, artworks and sound explorations, and to see what’s next as the project continues along the Lycian Way in Turkey in 2026. ➡️.uk/blog/2026/04/sounding-art-trail/
#NorthDownsWay #BritishCouncil #SoundingArtTrail #SoundArt #LandArt #CulturalRoutes #ListeningToLand #LycianWay #NorthDownsWay #ConnectionsThroughCulture
@britisharts@dystopic.symptoms@britisharts@turkeybritishcouncil
