If you’re searching for a countryside walk near London that combines beautiful scenery with something truly unexpected, head to the village of Otford in Kent. Here, in the heart of the Darent Valley, you can follow not just country lanes and rolling fields, but also the largest solar system scale model on Earth.
The Otford Solar System Walk blends the charm of a ramble in the English countryside with the wonder of space exploration and astronomy, giving you a fresh perspective on both the vastness of the universe and all the beauty of a walk in Kent.
What is the Otford Solar System model?
The Otford Solar System is the largest scale model of the solar system in the world. Created as a Millennium project by Otford Parish Council, it shows the planet positions as of one minute past midnight on the 1st of January 2000.
The scale is 1:5 billion, so the sun is reduced to just over two metres in diameter, with the planets positioned at relative distances across the village and surrounding fields.
The project quickly captured attention and even entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest scale model of the solar system in the world. Starting from the sun on the village green, visitors can follow each planet outward, from Mercury all the way to Pluto. It’s a concept that transforms an ordinary countryside walk near London into something truly fascinating and utterly enjoyable.
Getting to Otford by train
One of the best things about this walk is how simple it is to reach by rail. Thameslink connects Otford to London Blackfriars, London Bridge, City Thameslink, Farringdon and London St Pancras International, so it’s a straightforward day trip from central London.
If you live south of the river, it’s even quicker. Thameslink services will take you from south London stations like Elephant & Castle, Peckham Rye, or Catford in less than an hour. If you're already in Kent, there are direct trains from Sevenoaks to Otford which take less than 10 minutes.
Once you arrive, the starting point at Otford Recreation Ground is an easy 10-minute walk from Otford railway station. That ease of access makes this one of the most convenient countryside walks near London. No traffic or parking stress, just a quick train ride and you’re in the Kent countryside ready to explore.
Starting the walk: the Sun on the village green
The Otford Solar System Walk begins in the most picturesque of settings: the village green. Here you’ll find the ‘sun’ at the centre of the model, a large reflective semi-globe set on a plinth with informative panels.
Surrounding it are timeless features of a quaint English village, including a duck pond surrounded by willow trees and beautiful historic houses. If you’re a Formula One fan, you’ll want to take time to visit the grave of Tom Pryce, who is buried behind St Bartholomew’s Church just opposite the start of the walk.
From the recreation ground, you can set off to trace the planets. Mercury is just a few steps away, followed by Venus, Earth, and Mars, all dotted along pavements and country paths. It feels like a treasure trail as you hunt for each planet, making the walk especially fun for families.
Outward to the gas giants
As you leave the village centre, the distance between planets increases dramatically, mirroring the immensity of space. By the time you reach Jupiter and Saturn, you’re rambling into the beautiful open countryside of the Darent Valley.
This stretch of the walk is a reminder of why Kent is called the Garden of England. Wide fields, picture-perfect cottages, and hedgerows filled with wildlife open out around you, with footpaths leading past farms and woodland. The valley views are breathtaking, and you may find yourself pausing to take it all in.
Further along the walk, Uranus and Neptune lead you out along bridleways and rural tracks, until finally you reach Pluto near the railway, a small but satisfying end point that shows just how far you’ve travelled from the village green.
How to navigate this countryside walk near London
The planets are marked by plaques and posts, but it’s worth bringing a map or downloading one from the Kent Downs website to make sure you don’t miss any. Walking the 5.3-mile circular route usually takes around two hours at a leisurely pace.
The paths are straightforward and not too demanding, though they can get muddy after rain, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. Children especially will enjoy planet hunting, and there’s plenty of space for them to run between markers. For adults, the walk strikes a balance between gentle exercise, stunning views, and fascinating detail.
A countryside walk near London for all seasons
What makes the Otford Solar System Walk such a great countryside walk near London is that it works in any season. In spring, you might spot bluebells in nearby woodland and lambs start to appear in the fields. Summer brings long, sunlit days perfect for wandering at leisure. Autumn transforms the landscape with golden tones, while winter gives the Darent Valley a crisp, frosty beauty.
Because the solar system model is permanent, the walk is always accessible, and with Otford station so close, you’re never far from a café or pub where you can warm up afterwards.
Why Otford is worth the train journey
The Otford Solar System Walk is more than just another countryside walk near London. The scale model with its information panels adds a unique, playful dimension that sparks conversation and puts our universe into perspective. At the same time, the scenery alone is worth the trip: even without the planets, the paths through the Darent Valley are a joy to walk.
The easy rail link makes Otford one of the most rewarding day trips from London. In under an hour, you can swap busy pavements for rolling fields and farmland, enjoy a walk that’s equal parts educational and scenic, and still be back in the city for dinner.
The Otford Solar System Walk is proof that you don’t have to travel far to find something out of the ordinary. It’s a countryside walk near London that combines science, landscape, and imagination in equal measure. By following the planets from the sun on the village green to distant Pluto, you’ll not only enjoy Kent’s beautiful countryside but also take a journey through space itself.
Accessible, fascinating, and endlessly enjoyable, it’s a walk that belongs on any Londoner’s list of countryside escapes. Just hop on a Thameslink train, step off at Otford, and explore the solar system right here on Earth.
