Kent Downs Reviews Summary

Views and Scenery

Pros:

• "The views are just breathtaking. Highly suggested for dendrophiles and nephophiles."
• "This section of the Kent Downs AONB is visually beautiful, with stunning views to the west."
• "With delightful views from Chartwell over the downs."
• "Don't miss out fantastic views of the seaside."
• "Lovely views across the Weald."
• "The view from the top is nice and the landscape is also ok."
• "Beautiful, beautiful views, some of the best around."

Cons:

• "This place has nothing much to offer no terrific views or landscapes it's an okay place."
• "Visited towards dusk and the light was wonderful for photos as the downs face westward. Huge view but landmarks are in the far distance and hard to make out."
• "Didn't see much. The only reason Google has asked me to comment, I think, is because the M20 is now so full of roadworks, it thinks your standing still looking at the lovely scenery."
• "Its not as naturally beautiful as the name suggests, they might try looking at the lake district, yorkshire moors, snowdonia, the highlands or dartmoor and renaming it fancy green belt."
• "Nice big land surrounding the castle, not much to see tho."
• "The North Downs in Kent is a beautiful, low, sometimes steep area covering the famous Pilgrim's Way."
• "The road is quite narrow."

Accessibility and Facilities

Pros:

• "Nice to have seating areas on the route if you need to stop."
• "Friendly staff and ample parking."
• "There is a car park in Kemsing village that you can park in and a footpath leads from it to the downs."
• "Free entry with paid parking but parking is for the day."
• "The cafe served very good snacks and there is an outdoor seating area."
• "The cafe/shop is bright and airy with outstanding views of the channel."
• "Most villages have a tea shop."

Cons:

• "Not ideal for wheelchairs."
• "Not easily accesable for people with disabilities."
• "Research your parking place beforehand as there weren't many car parks in Lenham."
• "Can get very busy over the weekend which results in ques for parking spaces, although parking is free."
• "No public toilets."
• "Only one negative is that there’s no toilet facilities nearby."
• "No cafe on site."

Activities and Attractions

Pros:

• "Very large woodland with some open spaces, bike trails, history and ponds."
• "Lots of areas under re development, making even more room for other animals."
• "Fantastic day out."
• "Fresh air, big skies, single track roads, meadows, farmland and ancient woods."
• "The Kent Downs are an extensive range of hills... Beautiful scenery, mostly wooded, plenty of attractions."
• "Visited Wingham Wild animal park. What a great place for children and adults."
• "The chalk grasslands are home to lots of rare plants and butterflies."

Cons:

• "What started as a nice Sunday walk turned in to us getting completely lost and ending up going from wye to chilham with 5 kids and worried mrs no signs lack of paths not that family friendly."
• "Expensive to get in especially if there are 4 of you. Lovely walks though, if you are looking for quiet and tranquillity this is the place for you. Food is good but a little pricey."
• "Expensive entry ticket! Around 25 pounds."
• "Play area was way too muddy for us but would have been used on a dry day, it's not for older kids really and doesn't offer much."
• "The ground can be uneven. Tree roots get slippery when wet which could really hurt!"
• "The track gets mucky at times."
• "The signs are limited."

Nature and Wildlife

Pros:

• "The nature is especially beautiful in spring and summer, when everything is sparkling, is shining and the flowers and herbs all around are flourishing."
• "Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty a nationally protected landscape."
• "Quiet and relaxing whichever part you visit."
• "Picturesque walk, steep in places but very manageable."
• "Truly an area of outstanding beauty, with so many activities all right on your doorstep and breath taking views across the land; it has been correctly labeled as the Garden of England."
• "The peace, stunning views and tranquility at the Downs can't be compared with anything else."
• "A beautiful part of the county, today I watched 3 buzzards circling overhead in the warm air currents, at this time of year everything is green, a great time of the year for walks."

Cons:

• "Beware in warm weather there are plenty of bugs flying around from the nearby marshes."
• "It really isn't realistic to leave a review of such a large area: yes it's got lovely walks and views and some beautiful villages, but it's also got it's fair share of overcrowded main roads and roadworks."
• "Avoid Kent like the plague until they've completed the 'smart motorway' development."
• "There is a lacking of bins."
• "No shelter."
• "Travelled from Maidstone thinking this would be a lovely evening out to unwind after work. When I got there I found it this was a bogus website. Disgusted and wasted all that fuel."
• "The landscapes keep on surprising you. From farms to forests to thick grasslands etc."