North Downs Way via Canterbury
Explore the North Downs Way at your own pace on a self-guided walking holiday via Canterbury. Accommodation, luggage transfer and custom holiday pack included.
North Downs Way via Canterbury
https://www.contours.co.uk/north-downs-way-via-canterbury
A self-guided walking holiday through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs, from Farnham to Dover.
From £415 per person
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 also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more.
From £1095 per person
Wander between blossoming apple orchards and through green expanses of farmland as you finish your walk via Canterbury. This longer, inland end to the North Downs Way curves northward at Broughton Lees to explore lush scenery that’s rich in history.
From the elegant gardens of expansive stately homes at Gomersham Park and Chilham Park, to the stout castles at Canterbury and Dover, there’s a wealth of places to visit – crowned by Canterbury Cathedral itself.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDWC0 | From Farnham to Dover | 7 days walking | £1095 | |
| NDWC1 | From Farnham to Dover | 10 days walking | £1500 | |
| NDWC2 | From Farnham to Dover | 11 days walking | £1640 | |
| NDWC3 | From Farnham to Dover | 12 days walking | £1770 | |
| NDWC4 | From Farnham to Dover | 13 days walking | £1905 |
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDWSB | From Canterbury to Dover | 2 days walking | £415 |
Travel to Farnham where your first night's accommodation will be booked
Farnham to Newlands Corner(T). 15.5 miles (25km) / 1532 ft (467 m) ascent
Newlands Corner(T) to Merstham/Reigate(L). 20 miles (32km) / 2264 ft (690 m) ascent
Merstham/Reigate(L) to Otford(L). 20.5 miles (33km) / 2083 ft (635 m) ascent
Otford(L) to Rochester. 19.5 miles (31km) / 2103 ft (641 m) ascent
Rochester to Lenham(L). 21.5 miles (34.5km) / 2349 ft (716 m) ascent
Lenham(L) to Canterbury. 21.5 miles (34.5km) / 1660 ft (506 m) ascent
Canterbury to Dover. 19 miles (30km) / 1486 ft (453 m) ascent
Depart from Dover after breakfast
This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.
Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.
The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.
Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.
Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
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Following in the footsteps of Chaucer’s pilgrims from the Canterbury Tales as you follow the Pilgrim’s Way to Canterbury.
Admiring the expanse of 18th century parkland at Chilham Park.
Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canterbury Christchurch Cathedral and Precinct, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church in Canterbury.
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
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To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:
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“Thank you for making the arrangements for our walking holiday. The room bookings and luggage and taxi transfers all worked well. When we had minor issues… you were happy to help and I felt that if there has been a more pressing matter you would have sorted it out.”Mrs Taylor, UK
“A lovely walk with excellent accommodation.”Mr Parish, UK
“Walking so close to London was very interesting. We especially enjoyed crossing the Medway River south of Rochester along with the M2 and the Eurostar train.”Ms Schoenberg, USA
“We realised the North Downs Way is one of the least challenging and scenic National Trails, but it was an enjoyable walk and no problems with the route or distance.”Mrs Oldham, UK
“The holiday was very enjoyable - the locations were generally good and the distances about right.”Mr O’Hehir, UK
“It was surprising, and full of contrast and interest. We found the contrasts exhilarating. The logistics and support were excellent. Our favourite part of the route was watching planes at Gatwick from Leith Hill with a nightingale singing from the woods behind us; Crossing the Medway Bridge to Rochester; any of the downland scarp edges, and the holloways in the Surrey woods.”Rev Whittington, UK
“The North Downs Way is a lovely walk through English countryside.”Mrs VanDraanen, USA
“Holiday full with sun and beautiful landscapes.”Mr Ischer, Switzerland
“We love walking. We love walking in England. In general, we've been pleased with Contours and appreciate everything that's done for walkers.”Mr Oberwetter, USA
