The North Downs Way cuts across the South East of England. The hike flows across stunning scenery, beautiful villages, and outrageous countryside for 153 miles.

The route starts in Farnham and makes its way to Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover. Not only do you pass through some fantastic towns and villages, but you’ll also see some Areas of Outstanding Beauty.

The trail rolls through the Surrey Hills, Kent Downs, and the Pilgrims Way, which runs from Winchester to Canterbury.

And to make things better:

You’ll also be blessed with some of England’s greatest historical sites, which included:

• Three archbishops palaces
• Stately homes
• Three cathedrals
• Eight castles
• And much more

The fact the National Trail passes some of the most fascinating Neolithic sites, Roman forts, and WWII fortifications are amazing. You’ll also pass through the most famous ancient city, Canterbury.

But one of the true highlights of the walk is passing by the White Cliffs of Dover.

There’s so much local history and culture along the North Downs Way, making it an iconic route. If this trail sounds interesting to you, keep reading to find how to get there, how long it will take, and much more.

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What does it look like?

How Long Does It Take?

Long-distance walks like the North Downs Way can vary on how long it will take depending on the person taking on the trail.

The trail is 153 miles long, so it’s no easy journey; the average person can tackle the hike in around 12 days.

That being said, for many people, it can be shorter or longer. Let’s break down the days, so you get an idea of what to expect day by day:

• 10 Days – 15.3 miles per day
• 11 Days – 13.9 miles per day
• 12 Days – 12.8 miles per day
• 13 Days – 11.8 miles per day
• 14 Days – 10.9 miles per day

Depending on where you stay during your journey will decide the actual amount of miles you’ll have to walk per day. But at least you get a great idea of what it’s going to take on a day-by-day basis.

Some people might want to add some days to their trip so they can take some time to explore some of the wondrous historical sites along the way.

How To Get There And Back?

When it comes to getting there and back, you have a few options you can explore. Some people like to drive their car to either Farnham or Dover. But then you have the problem of finding somewhere to park your car for ten days or so.

Another option is getting there by bus, both of the locations are very well connected, but it will take multiple buses and takes a long time.

Your best option is to take a train. There are plenty of train stations along the way and at Farnham and Dover. You’ll be able to get to most railway stations along the route from London, which makes life very easy.

The Best Time To Go

Due to the hike being in the South of England, you can walk the route pretty much all year round. But the best time to go is between Spring and Autumn if you’re looking for the best weather.

During the Spring, you can expect some light showers with blasts of sunshine throughout the day.

In the Summer the sun is blazing, and everything is excellent, of course, this is England, so rain can come at any time. But for the majority of the time, you can expect pretty great weather.

Things can get a bit colder during the Autumn months, and the rain starts to come back, but you’ll still have a great time.

Where To Stay On Your Journey?

During the North Downs way hike, you’ll have no issues finding places to stay. You’ll pass through several small villages and towns with a host of accommodation to take your pick from.

You’ll find anything from hostels, hotels, BnBs, and AirBnBs in the small towns; most of the good ones book up pretty quickly, so you need to book well in advance if you want to get your place.

But what if you want to camp?

Well, you don’t have as many options when it comes to camping. Most of the camping sites are in the rural Kent location, which is either at the start of the hike or the end, depending on where you start.

That being said, you can find other camping spots along the way, but there are not nearly as many as in Kent.

The last thing to mention is wild camping general isn’t accepted. You might find the odd farmer that doesn’t mind you camping on their land, but it can be tricky.

Where To Get Food And Drink Along The Way

You’ll have no problems finding food and drink in the North Downs Way. All the villages and towns have a great selection of restaurants and cafes.

You also have some great country pubs that serve sublime local ales to wash down some traditional pub grub.

If you’re trying to keep the costs down while you’re traveling around, you might want to cook for yourself. And you’ll have no issues:

Along the trail, you’ll find plenty of shops, supermarkets, and country farm shops. All of which will have all the food you need to make some lovely meals.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a trial that can take you through history and has plenty of stunning places to see, the North Downs Way is a great place to visit. During the hike, you’ll be treated to great views, lovely people, and great food.