The Darent Valley, Battle of Britain and the other Shoreham

Join me as we explore the pretty village of Shoreham in Kent, and the delightful Darent Valley. We also pay tribute to the Battle of Britain airman who courageously fought in skies above this part of the Kent countryside, with an optional visit to the Shoreham Aircraft Museum. 

Points of interest 

Shoreham 

Shoreham was the most bombed parish in the UK during the Second World War. This could be due to the Army taking over several manor houses for operational use, a dummy airfield situated nearby at Lullingstone designed specifically to fool the Luftwaffe, and Fort Halstead was also nearby. 

Quite often, bomber crews would release their bombs having missed their targets over London. 

The countryside around Shoreham was littered with the remains of British and German aircraft that crashed during the Battle of Britain. Some of the engines and other aircraft memorabilia can be seen at the Shoreham Aircraft Museum. 

Lullingstone Castle and Country Park 

Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the manor of Lullingstone was acquired in 1279 by Gregory de Rokesley, who served eight terms as Lord Mayor of London. The present manor house was started in 1497 by Sir John Peche, High Sheriff of Kent for 1494-95 and later (1509) joint Lord Deputy of Calais. Henry VIII and Queen Anne were regular visitors to the house. 

In 2011, the Castle was the location for the Comparethemarket.com advert 'Tough decision', featuring meerkats Sergei and Aleksandr.

The 460-acre country park is between Eynsford and Shoreham; it was formerly a medieval deer park, and part of the estate and Manor of Lullingstone. 

Shoreham Aircraft Museum 

The museum opened in 1978 and houses a substantial collection of aviation relics excavated over many years from sites of crashed British and German aircraft. 

On 15 September 1940, a Dornier Do 17Z, part of a force of about 100 German bombers approaching London, was shot down shortly before noon. The invading formation had been challenged by nine RAF squadrons and the battle developed into a series of individual 'dogfights'. The unfortunate pilot of the Dornier was forced to land in a field at Castle Farm, where the Shoreham Home Guard arrived to recover the German crew. The museum holds a collection of photographs of the Dornier, along with items taken from the wreckage at the time. There is a small £5 entrance charge. 

Route 

The route  (please click the link in red to see the route at the Ordnance Survey website)

From the station we'll head north along the River Darent towards Lullingstone Castle. After stopping to admire the castle entrance, we'll head up a gentle gradient offering lovely views of the countryside. At around midday, we'll stop for an early lunch, before heading through the country park and golf course towards Shoreham. We'll momentarily stop to admire the cross on the hill, before our descent into the village. Here we'll stop for around 30 to 40 mins for an optional visit to the Shoreham Aircraft Museum and or a cup of tea and slice of cake in the tea shop. The final part of the walk is mainly flat and takes us through the village of Otford and back to Shoreham Station. If time allows, please join me for a drink at the Samuel Palmer pub. 

Please note, the walk does not allow time to visit Lullingstone Castle 

Dogs:

Dogs are welcome but please note and abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h) and be prepared for a couple of stiles/hills on the walk. Please also remember not everyone loves dogs as much as you do so please be mindful of other members.

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All photos are my own and taken by the event leader in May 2023