This Spring the Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme is bringing you the Festival of the Landscape – an event-packed celebration of everything that the wonderful Darent Valley has to offer! From May to July 2022 everyone is invited to join in with a diverse programme of events, workshops and activities across the Darent Valley.
From exploring finds with our Community Archaeologist, touring the ancient trees painted by Samuel Palmer, guided walks with Kent Wildlife Trust, wildlife activities for families and Walk and Draw workshops for adults to large-scale outdoor puppetry performances at Otford and Dartford with Puppets with Guts and much more, there will be something for everybody to enjoy.
Join Kent Wildlife Trust for this guided walk on a chalk grassland roadside nature reserve near Shor...
Join Kent Wildlife Trust for this guided walk on a chalk grassland roadside nature reserve near Shoreham. We will park and meet at the Tea Barn, and from here there will be a short incline up to the roadside nature reserve. Once here you will learn more about the Roadside Nature Reserves project and the species and habitats that are being conserved. After walking along the verge looking for orchids and other chalk grassland flora we will walk to the top of Preston Hill and through the grasslands of the country park to see what else we can find there.
This route is quite steep in places so a fair level of fitness would be needed as well as sturdy shoes.
Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
The walk will finish around midday and toilets will be available before or after the walk at the Castle Farm shop. There is also a coffee cart at the farm shop where you can purchase refreshments after the walk.
Only over 18s are allowed on this walk due to the added safety concerns of walking on a road verge.
This 90 minute walk and talk with Sarah Newman (local photographer and historian) takes you on a tou...
This 90 minute walk and talk with Sarah Newman (local photographer and historian) takes you on a tour of the picturesque village of Shoreham (Kent) and its surrounds. The group will visit the village’s beautiful Saxon church (with a stunning Burne-Jones window); look at the varied mediaeval village buildings; enjoy the crystal-clear water of the rare chalk river Darent; walk up to the giant memorial cross on the hill and more. On your way, hear stories of intrepid explorers, award-winning communists, curious fantasy fiction authors, famous writers, village links to Hollywood stars, and of course learn all about renowned Victorian artist Samuel Palmer, former resident in the village.
The walk starts at the Samuel Palmer Inn, 5 Church St, Shoreham, Sevenoaks TN14 7SB
Please note there is a fairly strenuous walk uphill
Lullingstone Castle’s popular Medieval weekend is back! Don’t miss the transformation of our...
Lullingstone Castle’s popular Medieval weekend is back! Don’t miss the transformation of our special place into a magical medieval village – step back in time to experience the authentic sights and sounds with ‘living history’ displays (including live firing of cannons and mock battles!), character dress, campfires, tents and medieval weapons, courtesy of the remarkable Woodville’s medieval re-enactment group.
Come and meet Gnomus at Otford Village Fete…
The Otford Village Fete has been enjoyed by loca...
Come and meet Gnomus at Otford Village Fete…
The Otford Village Fete has been enjoyed by locals for over 75 years, with something for everyone. This year we are delighted to be working with immersive outdoor puppetry company Puppets with Guts who will be bringing their giant caretaker of the earth puppet Gnomus to the fete having performed, a couple of weeks earlier, at Stonehenge.
Come and join us for a fun-filled Open Day at Lullingstone Country Park. Take part in our free activ...
Come and join us for a fun-filled Open Day at Lullingstone Country Park. Take part in our free activities including a self-led scavenger hunt, face painting, craft making and storytelling. A guaranteed fun day out for all.
Come and experience Gnomus at Dartford’s Jubilee event!
This year Her Majesty the Queen will b...
Come and experience Gnomus at Dartford’s Jubilee event!
This year Her Majesty the Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years of dedicated service. To celebrate this momentous occasion, a Jubilee Party in Central Park has been arranged. Bring a picnic and join us for a fantastic and memorable day out. There will be a special bandstand concert, goodie bag, sweets, drinks, ice cream, plus loads of fun activities such as Punch & Judy, nature inspired art workshops run by Dartford Arts Network, balloon modelling and lots more.
The highlight of the event will be immersive Brighton-based outdoor puppetry company Puppets with Guts gentle giant puppet, Gnomus who will deliver a fun and informative puppet spectacle.
700 free tickets have now sold-out for this incredible day out
If you missed getting a ticket, don’t worry, you can drop-by on the day to experience Gnomus and the art workshops
Central Park, Dartford, Cranford Rd, Dartford DA1 1JP
Come along and enjoy a picnic and a wander at Polhill Nature reserve. Gates open at 12noon if you wo...
Come along and enjoy a picnic and a wander at Polhill Nature reserve. Gates open at 12noon if you would like come along early and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in our fields, with some lovely views over the Darenth Valley. Guided walk begins at 2pm, and will be a leisurely stroll for about an hour or 90 minutes taking in some of the lovely features of this little gem of a reserve, including the meadow restoration, the green bridge and some fantastic chalk downland maintained and enhanced by the DVLPS project.
Access is through gates so no stiles to climb but the surface is rough and cambered in places as it crosses natural terrain.
Dogs must be on short leads at all times due to the presence of livestock across the site, and low nesting birds in some of the areas not usually accessible to the public.
Parking is in the field off Filston lane at What3Words location ///reds.ages.take. Very approximate postcode is TN14 5JU, please look out for KWT branded flags on the roadside.
Join North West Kent Countryside Partnership for a self-guided family trail where families are provi...
Join North West Kent Countryside Partnership for a self-guided family trail where families are provided with clues and a map and invited to discover various features of the Enchanted Woodland. Families will explore the site and collect tokens to unlock the site’s hidden history.
The Enchanted Woodland, Dartford, DA1 5QE (Cornwall Road is the closest road)
Free event
No pre-booking necessary to drop-in anytime between 10am – 2pm
Join North West Kent Countryside Partnership for a River Dipping Day, where we will explore what lie...
Join North West Kent Countryside Partnership for a River Dipping Day, where we will explore what lies beneath the surface in the River Darent. Families will be given a net to river dip and an identification guide to name the species discovered. Families are welcomed and encouraged to bring a picnic blanket, lunch and a teddy bear for a Teddy Bear’s Picnic while river dipping.
Market Meadow, Farningham, Dartford, DA4 0DH (Closest car parking: Dartford Road Car Park)
Free event
No booking required, just pop along between 11am – 3pm
Join North West Kent Countryside Partnership for River Fun day with river dipping and crafts, where ...
Join North West Kent Countryside Partnership for River Fun day with river dipping and crafts, where we will explore what lies beneath the surface in the River Darent. Families will be given a net to river dip and an identification guide to name the species discovered and a chance to craft and draw what they find.
King George’s Field, Recreation Ground, Westerham (Darent Car Park, Hollingworth Way, Westerham, TN16 1BS)
Free event
No booking required, just pop along between 11:30 – 3:30pm
Join artist Victoria Threlfall to collect and identify leaves from trees in Lullingstone Country Par...
Join artist Victoria Threlfall to collect and identify leaves from trees in Lullingstone Country Park and use them to make a series of monoprints. Easy and engaging, this method of printing produces some beautiful results.
All painting materials provided but please wear old clothes or bring painting overalls.
£5 per child, most suitable for ages 5 to 11 years, but younger siblings welcome. The cost of this workshop is subsidised by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme
Join NWKCP with our mindfulness walk with North Kent Mind. We will be walking around Dartford’s gr...
Join NWKCP with our mindfulness walk with North Kent Mind. We will be walking around Dartford’s green space and learning how to apply mindfulness whilst walking in nature. Walk takes place at Dartford Central Park, DA1 1JP.
What’s happening at the Palace? Come and find out at our heritage open day!
Visit inside of th...
What’s happening at the Palace? Come and find out at our heritage open day!
Visit inside of the north-west Tower and the Gatehouse and learn about the history of the Palace. Meet the craftsmen from PAYE who have been carrying out the repairs to the masonry and brickwork and see how the fabric of the Tower is being repaired. Also meet the Trustees and find out about their plans for the future of the Palace.
Drop in between 10am – 3pm, no booking required
Archbishop’s Palace (by the Tower), Otford, TN14 5PD
Orienteering involves choosing your own route to navigate from one checkpoint to the next. It’s fu...
Orienteering involves choosing your own route to navigate from one checkpoint to the next. It’s fun for all the family to participate. There are courses for all ages and coaching will be provided to get you started. Please wear full body cover and trainers. On arrival look out for the tall blue sail banner near the main car park.
Darenth Country Park, Dartford District. (Park at Darenth Country Park Car Park, Gore Farm, Gore Road, DA2 6PU and follow the orienteering signs)
Open from 10.30am, course start times are 11am-12 midday, course closes 1.30pm
Seniors £5, Juniors £2, Juniors can be shadowed. Families participating as a group £8
After an illustrated introduction by artist Victoria Threlfall to the work Samuel Palmer made in Sho...
After an illustrated introduction by artist Victoria Threlfall to the work Samuel Palmer made in Shoreham and the Darent Valley, we will set off towards Magpie Bottom exploring the beautiful landscape in the twilight. We will stop for a picnic, returning as dark falls and (hopefully) the full moon rises and arriving back in Shoreham around 10.30 pm.
On this free animated walk with Kent Wildlife Trust, discover a range of downland species as well as...
On this free animated walk with Kent Wildlife Trust, discover a range of downland species as well as a host of other flowers of this stunning chalk grassland site. Learn about their reproduction, life cycle and about the vital role which conservation management plays in maintaining the area for these rare and beautiful plants.
This event is being held in partnership with the Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme.
This event is for adults and is suitable for beginners
No dogs allowed
There are gates and stiles on the roadsides, the surface is grass/earth and the walking trails are steep and uneven.
Wear suitable clothing and footwear
Parking is in a grassy field, if there has been heavy rain just prior to the day, then you may wish to park at Shoreham Train Station and walk to the site from there.
The Darent Valley is lucky to have a number of nature reserves, most of which are owned by Kent Wild...
The Darent Valley is lucky to have a number of nature reserves, most of which are owned by Kent Wildlife Trust. These reserves protect unique habitats of chalk grasslands, with all-too-rare butterflies and insects dependent on the flowers and grasses. A beautifully preserved wildflower meadow lies over the hill to the east of the valley, once owned by a local farming family who left it intact for over 100 years, but which is now managed by Kent Wildlife Trust. In the spring and early summer this meadow is an enchanted hidden valley filled with orchids, field scabious, sedges, wild thyme, marjoram and a sea of buttercups.
This (strenuous) walk will also take in another chalk grassland area called Fackenden Down Reserve, only recently established, from which there are amazing flowers and glorious views back across the valley. Led by local guide Sarah Newman.
Walk approximately 2 hours in length
Please note this is a strenuous walk with some steep climbs
Join the Darent Valley-based photographer, Paul Burgess, at the Stag Theatre in central Sevenoaks f...
Join the Darent Valley-based photographer, Paul Burgess, at the Stag Theatre in central Sevenoaks for a photography briefing. We will then go for a pleasant photo walk in and around the town, including Knole Park (weather permitting). Along the way, Paul will be setting some fun challenges to keep you and your family on their toes!
Suitable for children aged 8+ accompanied by a parent or carer
Bring comfortable footwear and water as we will be walking
Join NWKCP for a I-Spy guide along the Dartford Marshes. We will be identifying the different specie...
Join NWKCP for a I-Spy guide along the Dartford Marshes. We will be identifying the different species which rely on marsh as a habitat and learning about the marshes importance for wildlife within the landscape.
Meeting at the end Joyce Green Lane, Dartford DA1 5PN (in site of Dartford Creek Barrier)
A morning of sketchbook drawing in the footsteps of Samuel Palmer. We will be looking at the work th...
A morning of sketchbook drawing in the footsteps of Samuel Palmer. We will be looking at the work this 19th century visionary artist made in and around Shoreham and using it as inspiration for our own drawings on location at Lullingstone Country Park. Led by artist Victoria Threlfall, devisor of the Samuel Palmer Trail.
Sketchbooks pencils and erasers provided but please feel free to bring your own favourite drawing materials if you have them
Meet at Filston Lane Car Park, Shoreham, TN14 7SP (please note there is one hill to climb)
Cost of £10 per person. The cost of this workshop is subsidised by the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme
Join NWKCP on our self-led landscape exploration trail. Follow and read the important features of th...
Join NWKCP on our self-led landscape exploration trail. Follow and read the important features of the Darent Valley Landscape with our circular trail highlighting Preston Hill, Castle Farm and Lullingstone Country Park.
Eynsford Station, Station Rd, Eynsford, Dartford, DA4 0HP. Meeting place A225 Shoreham Road layby under ‘Bottle Bank & Recycling’ on maps (parking also available), a two minute walk from the station
Join Curator Colin Harrison to explore Samuel Palmer’s Shoreham period…
Explore Samuel Palm...
Join Curator Colin Harrison to explore Samuel Palmer’s Shoreham period…
Explore Samuel Palmer’s rich, visionary artwork inspired by the unique landscape of the Darent Valley with one of Britain’s foremost curators on Palmer – Colin Harrison, Senior Curator of European Art at the Ashmolean, Oxford. The talk, accompanied by visuals will be followed by a Q&A.
Join artist Victoria Threlfall to make drawings in and around Shoreham before returning to Lullingst...
Join artist Victoria Threlfall to make drawings in and around Shoreham before returning to Lullingstone Country Park for lunch. In the afternoon we will use these drawings to explore methods of drawing with black ink using brush and pen, whilst looking at the works of Samuel Palmer for inspiration.
Materials will be provided but feel free to bring your own sketchbooks and/or favourite drawing materials if you have them.
Meet at Lullingstone Country Park, Orchid room
There are refreshments available to purchase at the cafe or bring a picnic lunch
£10 per person. This cost of this workshop is subsidised by the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme
