A figure-of-eight walk of 7.5 miles in the hills either side of Shoreham village, taking place during bluebell season and therefore providing an ideal photo opportunity for all selfie-lovers and aesthetes.

Note that this walk is also idea for someone who only wants to do the first part of the figure-of-eight (a total of 4 miles) as we will pass the railway station and car park before continuing onwards.

Starting from Shoreham (note not Shoreham-on-Sea!) Railway Station, we take a circular walk over chalk uplands, passing through two sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) with rare flora and fauna.

There are great views from Fackenden Down and at Romney Street. Note that there are three steep slopes and one stile to climb over so some fitness is needed (walking poles will be handy if the ground is slippery).  The walk passes through grassland, woods and farmland plus some interesting scrub dotted with yews, whitebeam and other trees.

The second part of the figure-of-eight takes us past the railway station into golf fairways and north into Meenfield Wood where we will follow the bluebell trail.  From the Wood, we descend into Shoreham village, along the Darent River, where our walk will end.

For those who would care to linger, there are several pubs and a cafe for refreshments.  Some may also like to visit the Grade-1 listed church on the way back to the station.

Bring a packed lunch, water and something to sit on.