Farningham: History, Nature and Trails

Farningham combines its inherited local history with a distinctive natural landscape and network of trails. The parish church, Farningham Cattle Screen, Market Meadow and Fort Farningham represent different historical themes. Added to these are Farningham Woods, a designated conservation area with distinctive trees and several walking options. If you are planning a stay, you can explore architectural and military history, nature watching and outdoor activities.

Local History and Buildings

The Church of St Peter and St Paul was built between 1225 and 1245 on the site of a church thought to date from the early Anglo-Saxon period. This means a dated construction phase and a presumed predecessor stand side by side: the church was built in the 13th century, while the earlier church is thought to have been Anglo-Saxon.

The Farningham Conservation Area covers 15 hectares and includes 46 listed buildings and structures. The two figures describe different measures: 15 hectares refers to the area, while 46 is the number of protected buildings and structures.

The Farningham Cattle Screen is a specific example of local infrastructure. It was built to prevent cattle from drifting downstream when crossing the ford. Its purpose is therefore tied to the river crossing; its design also makes the structure stand out: it is the only one of its kind in the country to have been so elaborately designed. In 2008/09, the cattle screen was repaired. The work included restoring the wooden gates. Its function, design and history of preservation offer different perspectives on the same structure.

A place name also preserves the history of how the area was used: Market Meadow was named after a monthly market and an annual fair held there until the last century. The events took place at different intervals—the market returned each month, while the fair was held annually.

Fort Farningham was part of the London Defence Positions, a comprehensive military plan drawn up in 1888 to protect the capital from enemy invasion. The chronology is important: the plan dates from 1888, while the 15 London mobilisation centres were built in the 1890s. Planning and construction of the centres were therefore two distinct stages of the wider military concept. The fort forms part of this late-19th-century defence planning.

Farningham Woods and the Trails

Farningham Woods is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The woodland lies on a hill north of the village of Farningham and offers views across the Kent countryside towards Dartford and Sevenoaks. It also has a botanical distinction: Farningham Woods is home to the rare small-leaved lime, which occurs at only one other site in Kent. Its conservation status, views and rare tree each provide a different point of interest in the natural landscape.

Different trail details can help you compare options for walks and hikes. Farningham Woods has a marked 1.6-mile circular route as well as a network of other trails. The Darent Valley Path is a 19-mile marked trail offering a range of walking options and panoramic views across the valley. The length of the woodland loop and that of the longer trail give you different scales to consider when planning a walk, so you can first decide how far you want to go.

Some paths in Farningham Woods are uneven, unpaved or narrow. As a result, some areas may be difficult to access with pushchairs and wheelchairs. Bear this limitation in mind when choosing your route. Farningham Woods can be reached via the A225 south of Horton Kirby; there is a car park at the end of Calfstock Lane. Check the latest information on paths and access before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Boughton Aulph, Lenham, Vigo Village, Yalding, Shadoxhurst, Birchington, Womenswold, Sevenoaks

For the main travel overview: Kent.