The Vale of Eynsford, 
The following has appeared in nearly all the London Papers : 
J have often thought it is a pity that Eynsford is not two hundred miles 
from London instead of eighteen. If it were in Devonshire instead of 
the most accessible portion of Kent, its grey ruined castles, its interesting 
old churches, its quaint picturesque villages, would be known and appreciated as 
they deserve. The river itself, with its swift and limpid current, is not unworthy 
of comparision with a Devon stream. Now it twists and lingers under rich over- 
hanging foliage of elm and ash, hazel and alder ; then it intersects the brightest 
of green pastures, where the red and white kine lie dreaming in the sunlight. 
Near the village it widens and frets over the shallows till pebbles gleam and 
sparkle like shells in the transparent clearness. After leaving Shoreham a path 
leads through willow- fringed meadows and hop gardens. The river Darent glides 
out of sight among the shady recesses of Sir W. Hart Dyke’s park. The 
walk hence to the little early English Church of Lullingstone is the most exquisite 
piece of the whole river, which here and there broadens into the loveliest of 
lakelets, banked by luxuriant foliage, whose glowing tints are repeated in the 
placid surface below. The Park is open to the public ; and a day may well be 
spent rambling, knee-deep in fading bracken, amid its delicious glades of beech, 
oak, and yew. In any case, the hill should be climbed, for the sake of the 
glorious view of the valley. 
Still keeping the river path, one comes upon the village of Eynsford, set 
deep in apple and cherry orchards, with features of its own. A winding street 
of half-timbered houses leads over a rambling old bridge to the ivy-girt rustic 
church. This was originally Norman, and there is still a fine Norman arch to 
be seen beneath the old wooden porch. 
From Eynsford to Farningham is but a mile, the last part across fields. 
Or half-way up the western hill a true Kentish lane leads between hedgerows 
gay with berries, to the same spot. Farningham is a capital place for headquarters, 
with clean and comfortable inns, a rich choice of rambles, and, if desired, some 
miles of trout fishing. Eynsford is almost within sight of Swanley — distance by 
rail, two miles. 
