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Explore Kent with these places to walk your dog from Holly Hill to Lullingstone and Detling

Get out with the whole family for a free fun day out exploring the county. Here are some of our best picks to try – with or without a four-legged friend.

HOLLY HILL, NEAR MEOPHAM

Holly Hill is often thought of as being part of Snodland, but it is actually Meopham country.

Malia the Hungarian Vizsla takes in the view
Malia the Hungarian Vizsla takes in the view

Sitting between Snodland and Vigo, it boasts fantastic views over the Medway Valley. There is a small free car park, which leads to a network of public footpaths through the woods to various different villages including Halling, Cuxton and Birling.

This area is part of the Valley of Visions, the Kent Downs AONB’s Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership Scheme.

There is a wide selection of bird and plant life and during spring the woodlands are carpeted with bluebells.

Dylan and Lilly the dogs at Holly Hill. Picture: Elaine Beal
Dylan and Lilly the dogs at Holly Hill. Picture: Elaine Beal

LULLINGSTONE COUNTRY PARK

Part of Darenth Valley, Lullingstone Country Park, near Swanley, consists of woodlands, green open space, flowering meadows and a small river in which your dog will enjoy a dip.

From the car park if you follow the path alongside the river you can walk to both Lullingstone Castle and the Lullingstone Roman Villa, an English Heritage site.

If you turn left by the castle you walk across fields to the woods or can continue past the adjoining golf course and join the woods at several points further along the walk way.

The park also has a visitors’ centre, which has a café, toilets and a shop. It has a comprehensive range of information about the park’s landscape, wildlife and heritage.

There is also a children’s play area next to the centre and there are several other children’s activities spread around.

The Darent Valley Path also runs past the park, offering more opportunities to explore the local countryside.

Ranscombe Farm. Picture: Elaine Beal
Ranscombe Farm. Picture: Elaine Beal

RANSCOMBE FARM, NEAR CUXTON

Ranscombe Farm, off the A228 in Cuxton, is a Plantlife Nature Reserve in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

From the car park you walk up the hill, although there can be cars to and from the farm estate, so keep an eye on your dog, and once up the hill there is a mixture of green open space and woodlands with many varied walks and pathways. There are amazing views over the Medway Valley.

From the reserve you can walk to Shorne Wood Country Park, Jeskyns Country Park, Cobham Park and Ashenbank Woods.

There are many varied and sometimes rare plants and in the spring the woods are carpeted with bluebells.

Barney the dog at White Horse Country Park in Detling
Barney the dog at White Horse Country Park in Detling

WHITE HORSE COUNTRY PARK, DETLING

Pull up at the car park and you’ll think you’re just heading out into an average country park. But once you’ve walked across a couple of fields and a stile, you’ll find yourself with the most spectacular view. You’ll have a panoramic view across the downs; there is a viewing point and Ordnance Survey point, and plenty of boards with details on the history of the site to tell you more about where you are.

The site formed part of Detling Air Field, which was active during the First World War and Second World War. The other part became the Kent Showground on the other side of the A249.

Step a little further down the hill and to your left and you’ll stumble across Thurnham Castle, which is partly hidden by trees and you would not know it was there if you weren’t looking for it.

The flint castle was built in the 12th century during the reign of Henry II by Robert de Thurnham, who crusaded with Richard the Lionheart and commanded the English fleet. Now a ruin, you can reach it all year round. It’s owned by Kent County Council.

Botany Bay
Botany Bay

Other walks to try in Medway, Deal, Margate, Leybourne & more.

BOTANY BAY

A perfect spot to walk, with or without your dog, Botany Bay near Broadstairs is also the picturesque scene for a dog walk once a month. Sittingbourne Greyhound Trust organise a walk there every second Sunday of the month.
For details go to rgtsittingbourne.co.uk

EVENTS FOR YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND

There’s a dogtastic day at Detling in September when Paws in the Park pops by for another year. With shows and competitions, it’s the UK’s largest indoor and outdoor dog show.

Dylan the dog looks out over Holly Hill
Dylan the dog looks out over Holly Hill

You and your dog can try out games and activities including flyball, canine search and rescue and dog agility. There’s also plenty of packed entertainment and arena displays. It’s at the Kent Showground on Saturday, September 16, and Sunday, September 17, 2017. For details visit pawsinthepark.net

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