Check in to hotel accommodation in historic Farnham, a busy town with many pubs and restaurants.  Allow time to visit Castle Street and West Street, where the Farnham museum stands in an elegant Georgian Townhouse.  The museum houses many artefacts including memorabilia relating to William Cobbett, the social reformer and political commentator, born in Farnham.  Don’t miss the Norman Castle, which stands where King Alfred’s son Edward defeated the Danes in 893.

Today’s walk follows ancient holloways and greensand tracks, walking at the foot of the Hogs Back escarpment alongside farmland and passing historic sites from the medieval, Elizabethan, and Victorian periods.   St. Catherine’s Hill has commanding views, and walkers leave the North Downs Way at this point to descend in to Guildford where  accommodation is booked for the night, and where there is a wide choice of restaurants.  Approx. 14 miles/22.5 kms to Guildford Centre

Climbing the escarpment there are fine views across the Surrey Countryside.  Stop for a break at Newlands Corner, where there are vistas across to the South Downs,  and take a gentle detour to a vineyard.  The trail takes you along an old drovers trail and through a Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to rare butterflies and wild flowers.  Selection of overnight accommodation in, or close to, the bustling town of Dorking, renowned for its array of antique shops.   Approx. 10 miles/16 kms

This section of the route passes through woodland and chalk grassland with wild meadow flowers in season.  After crossing  the stepping stones over the River Mole, the trail climbs Box Hill, used as a setting for a picnic in Jane Austen’s Emma.  There is a café and tourist centre at the summit, and more panoramic views.  There are tantalising glimpses of the ‘Old Road’ overhung by yews before emerging from the woods through which the North Downs Way passes to take in the sights.  Approx. 10 miles/16 kms

Today’s route continues on to Gatton Park, one of the original ‘rotten boroughs’, with its Capability Brown landscape and richly decorated chapel, and the Millennium Stones.  There are several places to eat in Merstham before ascending to the Caterham viewpoint and Botley Hill, which is the highest point on the North Downs Way, and which is crossed by the Prime Meridian line.  Choice of overnight accommodation in, or close to historic Westerham.  Approx. 10 to 12 miles/16 to 19 kms

The walk continues with views of the Darent Valley, and through woods full of bluebells in the spring.  Connections with medieval pilgrimage continue including  Chevening church which is dedicated to St. Botolph, the patron saint of travellers, and a short detour to Kemsing, known for St. Edith’s Holy Well, and a frequent stopping place for medieval pilgrims .  There is a peaceful Kent Wildlife Trust nature reserve for a picnic. The overnight stay is in Wrotham associated with the journeys of medieval archbishops.  Approx. 9 miles/14 kms

Take a short detour from the trail to the Coldrum Stones, a Neolithic site where  atmospheric scenes take the eye along the Medway gap.  Continuing along the foot of the downs towards Rochester, you will pass the Paddlesworth crossing, where it is thought that medieval pilgrims waded over a now hidden causeway.  Taking today’s safer crossing, descend into Rochester, with its cathedral, Norman castle, restaurants and accommodation for the night.   Approx. 12 miles/19 kms

Leave the city behind through fields and woodland, seeing wild orchids in season.  Perhaps calling in for morning coffee at the old Robin Hood pub in the woods, and then on to a picnic at Kits Coty, with the remains of the Neolithic chamber For the last stage of today’s walk the ridge is ascended again, reaching the ruins of Thurnham Castle which stands high above the landscape below.  Overnight accommodation at a walker friendly inn, in Thurnham with a well-reviewed restaurant.  Approx. 12 miles/19 kms

Old sections of the Pilgrims Way continue from Thurnham, or you can detour to Leeds Castle for the afternoon, or an overnight stay (subject to availability). Alternatively return to the North Downs Way and onwards to Lenham where accommodation is in an historic inn, at the picturesque Lenham square (6 miles to Leeds Castle, 11 miles to Lenham).  Approx.11 miles/18 kms with detour.

Head along the old trackway past the Lenham Chalk Cross and look out for the rare Apple snail, thought to have been introduced to England by the Romans.    Take a lunchtime stop in the village of Charing, where the ruins of the Archbishops Palace can be viewed from the green.  After ascending in to woodland, the way continues through the agricultural landscape towards Eastwell Manor where, in the churchyard of the ruined church, can be seen the tomb of Richard Plantagenet, the illegitimate son of Richard III.  Crossing the village cricket green at Boughton Lees, refreshments are available at the inn, before descending to Wye. Approx. 10 miles/16 kms

Shorter itinerary: Wye to Canterbury –  visit Boughton Aluph church and see the Pilgrims Porch, where medieval pilgrims gathered at the church.  Look out for deer in the woods, and wild bluebells in springtime.  Take the footpath through Godmersham Park, where Jane Austen’s brother lived, and thought to be the inspiration for Mansfield Park.  A choice of inns and a tea room, to take lunch in the medieval village of Chilham.  The final stage of the journey passes through hop gardens and apple orchards to Canterbury, where accommodation is in one of several walker friendly hotels close to the Cathedral. Approx. 16 miles/26 kms.

Extended itinerary: complete the entire North Downs Way/Via Francigena to Dover. From Wye continue the ‘North Downs Way & Coast’ walk.

Wye to Brabourne – Follow the North Downs Way up onto the chalk escarpment, the views opening out as you ascend to the Wye Nature Reserve, where orchids flower in season. Above the bowl-shaped valley at the Devil’s Kneading Trough, enjoy stunning views from the scarp across Romney Marsh to Dungeness and over the Channel. This is a lovely place for a picnic before ascending the chalk slopes to Brabourne village. There should be time to explore the hidden valleys of the Crundale Downs (+ 3 or +6 miles). 9 km/5.5 miles

Departure day or optional extra night in Canterbury to allow for sightseeing of the Cathedral, St. Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury Tales exhibition, Roman Museum, Visitor Centre.  Time for shopping in this bustling city, with its many independent and well-known stores, or eating at a wide variety of restaurants and cafes.

Extended itinerary:

Brabourne to Folkstone: Today’s walk explores the most rural aspects of the Kent downs. Catch glimpses of the sea as you cross miles of pastureland, before admiring the 360-degree panoramic views from Tolsford Hill. The rustic Gatekeeper Inn is a good place to take lunch before continuing over the chalk downland to Folkstone. This grassland is littered with rare flora, WW2 pillboxes and earthworks from a Norman Castle. 2 km / 8.2 miles

Head back onto the North Downs Way and Saxon Shore Way. Pass Caesar’s Camp Iron-age fort and the Battle of Britain memorial and museum, where the visitor centre is part of ‘Chalk Up 21’– the first of nine buildings in an imaginative 21st century architectural series that you will pass. Follow the White Cliffs Country Trail along the top of cliffs, passing a Knights Templar church along with Napoleonic forts offering dramatic views of Dover castle and the White Cliffs of Dover. You may catch glimpses of France on the hazy horizon as you head into Dover, with plenty of options for food, drink. 9 km / 10.5 miles

On your two-day return to Canterbury, follow the pilgrimage route that has linked Europe with Canterbury since the Middle Ages. Climb out of Dover along the North Downs Way and White Cliffs Country Trail for stunning views back along the Coast behind you. For your overnight accommodation there is the option of taking the train service to Canterbury from Shepherdswell, or a taxi can be arranged to take you to a local hotel.  5 km / 9 miles

Head through parkland and pastoral landscapes which skirt the old Kent mining villages of Snowdown and Aylesham and on the Barham Downs, pass through to the village of Patrixbourne, catching glimpses of the Cathedral in the distance during the last stages of the journey. Stay overnight in Canterbury City Centre. Many visitor attractions are all within walking distance of your hotel. Walk Awhile has undertaken extensive research on the History of Pilgrimage and Canterbury and can provide briefing papers, audio and literature to walkers. 17 km / 10.6 miles

Trains run frequently from both Canterbury West and Canterbury East stations back to London.

Flights to London Gatwick, Heathrow Airports, with good train connections to London.  Farnham is on the main rail line from London Waterloo train station, 1 hour 9 minutes.  Trains from London Heathrow to Farnham, 1 hour 17 minutes, change at Woking.  National Express coaches from London Heathrow airport to Farnham 1 hour 25 minutes, change at Woking.  Eurostar to St Pancras International then train from London Waterloo.   Return from Canterbury to London Heathrow, via St Pancras by train, then change for Paddington Station. Canterbury to Gatwick by train approx. 2 hours, change trains at St Pancras.   National Express coaches from Canterbury to London Heathrow Airport 2 hrs 20 minutes

A local taxi from London Heathrow to Farnham takes around 40 minutes, and London Gatwick to Farnham 55 minutes.  A taxi between Canterbury and London Heathrow takes approx. 1 hour 30 minutes, and  a taxi between Canterbury and Gatwick Airport approx. 1 hour 15 minutes.