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  • 4 months ago
Alistair and Cameron wander along the River Darent.
Transcript
00:00Along the River Darent is Horton Kirby. The route Ali and I are taking is two and a half miles long,
00:12flat and with no styles. Start at the Village Hall with plenty of space for parking on the adjacent
00:18road. Walk along the road towards the impressive railway viaduct towering overhead. Just before
00:26you reach the viaduct, turn left in front of the Bridges pub and go for a short distance
00:31along Station Road. Cross the road and follow the sign for the Darent Valley Path.
00:42So we set off around about midday and that's a good time to aim at. You missed the cold
00:47morning and the cold evening, so aiming around about late morning, early afternoon to hit
00:53the road. He's also had a big old feed before we left so he's got a nice full belly ready
00:58for us to continue on our walk.
01:10This stretch is awash with dragonflies and damselflies in the summer months, as well as yellow flag
01:16irises and other bankside flowers. There isn't such an abundance of flora and fauna at this
01:21time of year, save for a few sightings of horses in a nearby paddock.
01:31Even without the wildlife, it's a peaceful stroll beside the River Darent, with Ali continuing
01:36his tradition of sleeping through our walks.
01:48Eventually, we come to a wooden barrier, head straight through and walk along the left edge
01:53of a field.
01:57In 1972, remains of a Roman villa were discovered here in Westminster Field, along with a Roman
02:03granary and pottery dating back to the 2nd to 3rd century.
02:09Now it's a car park, which you must continue to the left of on our track.
02:14Go straight for 30 yards to the field corner, reaching a wooden kissing gate.
02:19So we're about half way through the walk, we've just come through the car park and this is the
02:24point where it's not really pram friendly anymore. It's very muddy underfoot. We've got our walking
02:29shoes on or if you've got wellies, make sure you wear them because it does get a little
02:34bit thick from here on in.
02:37We traipse along the main wide path across a meadow, through a gap in the far right corner
02:45and ahead alongside a wire fence on the right.
02:52Soon, the river returns. Follow it under trees to a lane.
02:59Turn left along the lane for 100 yards, keeping safe as you do so.
03:05At a finger post under trees, follow the path between wire fences.
03:14Where the path forks, take the left way alongside the hedge, running along the left side of a
03:18field.
03:21When you come to a road, you'll be a stone's throw from the Fighting Cocks pub, a welcome
03:25stop for a pint. Follow the road as it bends into Horton Road until it takes you all the
03:31way back to the start.
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