A thirteen centre inn-to-inn, self-guided walking tour in England on the Pilgrims Way Trail and the North Downs Way from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent via Canterbury, England. 13 nights bed and breakfast accommodation, 12 days walking, luggage transfer, guide book and maps.
This 12 day walking tour of the North Downs Way is 131 miles (211 km) from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent via Canterbury. The North Downs Way is a National Trail, in England, of contrasts. Surrey offers large expenses of beech, oak, ash, juniper and yew woodland. There are springy, rabbit-cropped turf on a chalk ridge crest with a light breeze pushing you onwards to the sea. You will follow river valleys, such as that of the river Wey, cross others, like that of the River Mole (on stepping stones) and you will need to haul yourself to heights of more than 665 feet (200 metres). There are reminders of almost every age of English life - from the prehistoric long barrow of Kits Coty to the south of Chatham, the possible site of an Iron Age fort at Arthur's Seat near Gravelly Hill, through Roman roads and Norman castles, to medieval churches, sixteenth century mansions, country houses of the 1700s, and right through to the present channel tunnel and rail link.

You stop in country and town hotels, inns and guesthouses along the way, where accommodation is available in twin, double or single rooms, most but not all with private facilities. B&B and luggage transfer between the overnight stays is inclusive.

This tour is operated by Explore Britain Walking based in County Durham in England.

START: Farnham is about 20 miles south of London.
FINISH: Dover is about is on the Kent coast just west France!.

DAY ONE: Arrival at Farnham. You may arrive anytime after 3pm. If requiring dinner this is usually between 7pm - 9pm both in hotels (booked in advance) and pubs. Overnight at Farnham, Surrey, England.

DAY TWO: Walking from Farnham to Guildford. 11 miles (17.7km). Today's walk keeps just below the Hogs Back, following a line through small villages. Dinner can be taken at any of the many pubs in the town (not included in tour price). Overnight at Guildford, Surrey, England.

DAY THREE: Walking from Guildford to Dorking. 10.7 miles (17.2km). You pick up the route of the Pilgrims Way and have excellent views from the downs across a wooded landscape. Dinner can be taken at any of the pubs in the town (not included in tour price). Overnight at Dorking, Surrey, England.

DAY FOUR: Walking from Dorking to Redhill. 10.1 miles (16.2km). You cross the stepping stones over the River Mole and then ascend up on to Box Hill. After passing Reigate Fort you pass the Hilltop Holiday Home for Cats. Now through Gatton Park to finish the day on the outskirts of Redhill. Dinner can be taken at any of the pubs in the town (not included in tour price). Overnight at Redhill, Surrey, England.

DAY FIVE: Walking from Redhill to Oxted. 10.2 miles (16.4km). You are transported back to Newgale. Today is quite hilly, so take your Today you wander through fields and villages and up and down the Downs. Dinner can be taken at any of the pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Oxted, Surrey, England.

DAY SIX: Walking from Oxted to Otford. 11.7 miles (18.9km). On this stretch of the walk you will cross the border between Surrey and Kent. You pass the great mansion of Chevening House built between 1616 and 1630 to design by Inigo Jones. Dinner can be taken at either of the pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Otford, Kent, England.

DAY SEVEN: Walking from Otford to Rochester. 17.3 miles (27.9km). This is your longest day as you follow the Pilgrims Way on an easy to follow route. It will bring you to Rochester by the high Medway Bridge. Dinner can be taken at any of the pubs in the town (not included in tour price). Overnight at Rochester, Kent, England.

DAY EIGHT: Walking from Rochester to Detling. 10 miles (16.1km). You cross the River Medway and soon reach an area rich in archeological remains. All the sites, like the Coldrum Stones near Trosley, date from the Neolithic period. Go past the standing stone, White Horse Stone, and you soon arrive at Detling. Dinner can be taken at the pub in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Detling, Kent, England.

DAY NINE: Walking from Detling to Lenham. 9.5 miles (14.8km). This is the route of the old Pilgrims Way, and it is quiet, pleasant, cross-country walking with easy going underfoot. Dinner can be taken at the pub in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Lenham, Kent, England.

DAY TEN: Walking from Lenham to Boughton Lees. 8.9 miles (14.2km). An easy day today as you meander through farmland, dotted with small villages. Dinner can be taken at either of the pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Boughton Lees, Kent.

DAY ELEVEN: Walking from Boughton Lees to Canterbury. 13.1 miles (21.1km). Today you branch away from the main route to follow the Pilgrims Way towards Canterbury. You pass through the delightful village of Chilham with its castle. Dinner can be taken at any of the many pubs in this historic city (not included in tour price). Overnight at Canterbury, Kent, England.

DAY TWELVE: Walking from Canterbury to Shepherdswell. 10.4 miles (16.7km). You leave the city behind you and are soon passing through apple and hop fields. Dinner can be taken at either of the pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Shepherdswell, Kent, England.

DAY THIRTEEN: Walking from Shepherdswell to Dover. 8.5 miles (13.7km). Today sees you reaching the end of the North Downs Way at Dover. Dinner can be taken at either of the pubs in the village (not included in tour price). Overnight at Dover, Kent, England.

DAY FOURTEEN: Departure. The tour finishes from Dover after breakfast.

GRADE D: Between 8 - 15 miles (14 - 25 kms) a day. Strong waterproof walking boots are desirable. You will start walking about 9:30am and finish at approx. 5pm. These grades are for guidance only. For any grade, depending on weather conditions, it may at times be damp underfoot, so waterproof boots are preferable.