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

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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

8 to 13 nights
131 miles
Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous
2nd January to 24th December

From £1120 per person

North Downs Way via Folkestone

Transform the finale of the North Downs Way into a spectacular coastal walk along the White Cliffs of Dover. Shorter than the Canterbury alternative, the route via Folkestone departs the North Downs Way National Trail at Boughton Lees.

With some steep climbs to high-level footpaths, this route excels at far-reaching views over the English Channel and the landscape of Wye Crown, not to mention Folkestone’s Millennium White Horse. It’s a fantastic way to capture some of the North Downs’ most memorable scenery, and to experience the dramatic cliffs that make Dover so famous.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
NDWF0 From Farnham to Dover 8 nights, 7 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £1120
NDWF1 From Farnham to Dover 11 nights, 10 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1535
NDWF2 From Farnham to Dover 12 nights, 11 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1675
NDWF3 From Farnham to Dover 13 nights, 12 days walking Moderate £1810

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 via Folkestone

“We enjoyed the walk very much. We had heavy rail he first two days, but after that the weather was kind to us. Will always book with you, no reason to change you do a great job.”
Mrs Potterton, Canada
“Tough going because short days in November, but great variety of places and some wonderful sunny days. Challenging but good.”
Ms Pearson, UK
“The NDW is a superb walk through glorious English countryside. The Trail is very well designed, without many steep ascents and descents. Undertaken in pretty dry conditions, the going is often very easy. I could imagine that under wet conditions it could become tricky in parts - Kev Reynold’s guide describes vividly the accumulation of mud on his boots in the rain and on my one very wet morning I appreciated what he meant. So would suggest people don’t try it during wetter months. The signage on the route is impressive, with only a handful of places where some time was needed, using the guides, to establish the correct direction. I have my eye on the Thames Path, perhaps during May next year.”
Mr Bird, UK
“Well, I enjoyed all of it… It's great to know that I can always contact someone if things don't go to plan and it will be sorted out.”
Ms Breese, Germany
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