5-mile circular walks

A green and bucolic walk, starting on downs and ending in forest, taking in some rolling Surrey countryside you wouldn’t believe exists so close to the A23. This is great for wildflower and butterfly spotting in summer.

A good up-and-down hike taking in two beautiful Surrey villages and five historic chapels around them. The second half of the walk gets really rural - sweeping hill views over remote farms and, if you time it right, amazing sunsets.

A flat estuary ramble, starting from the church that inspired Charles Dickens in Great Expectations, and out across the endless North Kent marshes. It’s amazing feel this remote so close to London, with only sheep for company.

Starting at Upnor Castle this takes in the north bank of the Medway Estuary, with a ship’s graveyard, abandoned gun towers, a 1000 year old tree and some sweeping marshland views. Big skies and bracing vistas.

Starting in the grounds of Henry VIII’s ill-fated palace, then along the Hogsmill River, a charming English chalk stream. Turn off along the Bonesgate Stream, and back along the Green Lanes Stream for circle of river ramble.

One of my favourite walks because it’s full of surprises. Riddlesdown is an amazing natural chalk down, grazed by rarebreed sheep and cattle, and Kenley aerodrome is an important breeding area for skylarks.

Take a big loop around the park at Knole and you’re pretty much guaranteed to see the deer herds. Beyond it’s woodland paths and country roads to another National Trust house at Ightham Mote, and back past an epic viewpoint.

Some of the most beautiful woodlands in Kent, opening out to sweeping downland views. This walk also has historic sites like the Coldrum Long Barrow and the haunted church at Dode.

A little of everything - a riverside walk with some historic sites, a beautiful National Trust medieval manor, gorgeously photogenic Kent villages, a beautiful birch wood and an ancient hill fort.

Starts out as a lovely town stroll around thie historic streets of Faversham then all change as you head out into the marshes from Oare. This is East Coast bleak beauty at its best.

Some serious hills paid off with some brilliant views. This walk starts off urban but soon you’re out on the North Downs Way with its sweeping vistas. There’s a wood dotted with old mine works.

Two beautiful villages linked by the babbling River Darent. Lavender fields, orchards, vineyards and glorious chalk downs.