North Downs Way

North Downs Way

A self-guided walking holiday through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs, from Farnham to Dover.

3 to 14 nights
19-137 miles
Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous

From £415 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

The North Downs Way National Trail follows the long chalk ridge of the North Downs through some of the most scenic and historic countryside in England. It crosses downland, sandy heath, deciduous woodland, green pastures, apple orchards and vineyards. A section of the trail even slips onto the Pilgrim’s Way, an ancient route followed by countless pilgrims on their way to pray at the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury, immortalised in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

Walking the North Downs Way will bring you across plenty more historic sites, from prehistoric long barrows to a Napoleonic fort, with eight castles and three cathedrals in the mix. The local settlements, too, show their years: spot impressive Tudor carvings, half-timbered houses, and flint-walled churches as you make your way to the white cliffs and seaside views at Dover.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • North Downs Way via Canterbury
  • North Downs Way via Folkestone
  • North Downs Way - West Section
  • North Downs Way - East Section via Canterbury
  • North Downs Way - East Section via Folkestone
  • North Downs Short Break

About this route

5 to 7 nights
62 miles
Moderate to Moderate / Demanding
2nd January to 24th December

From £700 per person

North Downs Way - East Section via Canterbury

Travel between listed buildings and chocolate box villages through picturesque downland scenery as you walk along the North Downs Way. The east section of the trail heads onto Pilgrim’s Way over the Soakham Downs to Canterbury.

Immortalised in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the city’s cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church form a World Heritage Site that will absorb you for hours. Beyond, the trail crosses ancient woodland to reach the busy port of Dover beneath the famous white cliffs.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
NDWCE1 From Rochester to Dover 5 nights, 4 days walking Moderate / Demanding £700
NDWCE2 From Rochester to Dover 6 nights, 5 days walking Moderate / Demanding £840
NDWCE3 From Rochester to Dover 7 nights, 6 days walking Moderate £975

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
NDWSB From Canterbury to Dover 3 nights, 2 days walking Moderate £415

Customer reviews from the North Downs Way - East Section via Canterbury

“Accommodations were very good, quite satisfactory. All the innkeepers were friendly and helpful.”
Mr Wolf, USA
“We felt cared for at each of the accommodations. The guidebook and maps were very helpful, the trail was usually well marked, and we never got lost.”
Mr Hard, USA
“Enjoyed the holiday very much.”
Mr Hilmarsson, Iceland
“It was perfect - corresponding to the advertisement!”
Mrs Schneider, Switzerland
“Spectacular scenery. Great weather. Well organised, bags delivered as promised. Very happy with Contours management and efficiency.”
Mrs Apperley, New Zealand
Find your holiday