I’m always on the lookout for easy day trips from London that offer a change of scenery, especially in summer, so Otford in Kent immediately caught my attention. Just over an hour from London Blackfriars with Thameslink (less than half an hour from Greater London towns like Bromley), this beautiful Kent village has everything I look for in a summer day out: independent cafés and shops, cosy pubs, plenty of countryside to explore, and some brilliant walking routes right from the station.
I recently spent a day exploring Otford, starting with the village before heading out along the North Downs Way. Along the way, I revisited the Otford Solar System Walk, stopped for coffee and a berry smoothie, browsed the independent shops and finished with the perfect summer pub lunch. If you're looking for day out ideas, feel free to copy my itinerary.
If you’re looking for a day trip from London that combines a beautiful village with countryside walking and great food and drink, here’s why Otford is one I’d definitely recommend.
Getting to Otford from London by train
One of the biggest reasons I chose Otford is how easy it is to reach by train. From London Blackfriars, the journey takes just over an hour with Thameslink. It's an even quicker trip if you live in outer London. From towns like Catford, Bellingham and Bromley, you can reach Otford in less than 30 minutes, making it a particularly appealing option if you’re looking for days out from London.
When we arrived, we had two options. Otford station is right on the North Downs Way, so keen walkers can step off the train and head straight out onto the trail. We decided to explore the village first, and I’m glad we did. There’s an easy, pleasant walk from the station along a dedicated, traffic-free footpath, including a beautiful churchyard. It really set the tone for the day.
Starting with the Otford Solar System
The first proper stop on our day out in Otford was the Otford Solar System Walk. I’d actually done this walk before, but it’s one that’s worth doing again. It’s really quite exciting spotting the plinths for each planet, and it gives you a way to explore parts of Otford you might otherwise walk past.
Even though I’d followed the route before, I still enjoyed doing it again. It’s such a different kind of countryside walk, and one of the things I like about Otford is that you can combine experiences like this with a much longer walk on the North Downs Way.
Read more about the Otford Solar System Walk here.
Exploring beautiful Otford village
After exploring the Solar System, we spent some time wandering around Otford itself. I really love how calm and quaint the village feels. The High Street is beautiful, with independent cafés and coffee shops, a cake shop and antique stores dotted along it.
It had a lovely atmosphere when we visited on a hot summer day. There were cyclists enjoying al fresco coffee and cake, while families with young children stopped for scoops of gelato. It felt lively and buzzing without being busy or overwhelming.
I also enjoyed simply window shopping. There’s something much more appealing to me about wandering around a village with independent shops than spending the day browsing the same high-street chains you can find anywhere.
Otford also has plenty of historic buildings to admire as you walk around, including its beautiful church and churchyard. It’s another reason I’d recommend taking your time here rather than treating the village as somewhere to pass through on the way to the countryside.
Coffee, cake and a refreshing smoothie
It was hot when we visited, so we decided to start our day out with a drink and something sweet. We stopped at Willow and Bean, a beautiful little café in the village. It has a stylish, elegant feel, with friendly staff and plenty of pastries and sweet treats to choose from.
There’s a good selection if you’re looking for something refreshing on a hot day, too. I went for a berry smoothie, which was tangy, delicious, and exactly what I needed to get me ready for a long walk. Their coffee is locally-sourced, which is always a bonus.
We could have easily stayed in the village longer, but with a walk along the North Downs Way still ahead of us, we decided to get going. If you fancy making your stop in Otford a little more leisurely, Sally’s Cake Emporium is a great option in the village, particularly if you’re in the mood to linger over afternoon tea.
Walking the North Downs Way
After enjoying the atmosphere in the village with our food and drinks, it was time to head out into the Kent countryside. We followed the North Downs Way and walked from Otford towards Knockholt, which was one of my favourite parts of the day.
The route takes you out of the village and into the surrounding Kent countryside, with stunning views across the landscape. After spending the morning exploring the village, it felt like a complete change of pace: open countryside, fresh air and plenty of space to walk.
This is what really makes Otford work so well for a countryside day trip from London. You can have your coffee and cake in a pretty village in the morning, then walk through the Kent countryside to work up an appetite for lunch.
This section of the North Downs Way isn’t too challenging, although there are a couple of steep inclines (well worth it though).
Lunch at the Rose & Crown in Dunton Green
After a few miles on the trail, we came across the Rose & Crown in Dunton Green, which sits right on the North Downs Way. We decided this would be the perfect place to stop for lunch before heading back.
Shaun and his team were incredibly friendly, and I loved sitting outside in the large garden. We found a shady spot, which was particularly welcome on such a warm day. The garden had exactly the atmosphere I wanted: it wasn’t too busy, but there was still a good buzz from other people enjoying themselves.
I ordered the tandoori chicken skewer, Caesar salad and mac and cheese, and it was absolutely delicious. The food is great quality and I genuinely loved every bite. After working up an appetite on the North Downs Way, it was exactly what I needed.
We also had some drinks, and I was particularly pleased to discover that they serve Harvey’s beer. I’d previously done the Harvey’s Brewery tour while on a day trip to Lewes, so finding Harvey’s here was a real treat. It felt like a fitting way to round off a day spent exploring the Kent countryside.
Why I’d recommend Otford for a day trip from London
There are plenty of places you could choose for a day trip from London, but I think Otford has a particularly good combination of everything you could want from a summer day out. It’s easy to reach by train, and has lots of variety. If you're in need of day out ideas, this is the perfect way to spend a day.
You can explore the Otford Solar System, wander around the beautiful village, browse independent shops, stop for coffee and cake, and head out onto the North Downs Way for a countryside walk. There are pubs along the route too, so you can finish the day with a really good lunch and a drink.
For me, that’s what makes Otford such a good day out in Kent. It doesn’t feel like you’re travelling somewhere just to see one attraction. There’s enough to fill a whole day, but you can also take it at your own pace.
I’d particularly recommend it in summer, when you can make the most of the village cafés, outdoor seating, countryside walks and pub gardens. And because you can enjoy everything on foot, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for days out from London by train.