CoiT(p1ete G(nttle, 
THE VALE OF EYNSEORO. 2 
* 1 * The finest locality in England. 
The folloiving has appeared in nearly all the London Papers : 
Sikti 
HAVE often tlionglit it is a pity that Eynsford is not two hnnclrccl 
miles from London, instead of eighteen. If it were in Devonsliire 
instead of tlie most accessible portion of Kent, its grey mined castles, 
its interesting old churches, its quaint picturesque villages, would be 
_ own and appreciated as they deserve. The river itself, with its swift 
and limpid current, is not unworthy of comparison wdth a Devon Stream. 
Now it twists and lingers under rich overhanging 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 Darenth glides out of sight among tlie shady recesses of Sir W. Hart Dyke’s 
park. The walk hence to the little early English Church of Lullingstone is the most 
e.xquisitc piece of the whole river, which here and there broadens into the loveliest of 
lakelets, banked by lu.xuriant foliage, whose glowdng tints arc repeated in the placid 
surface below. The park is open to Ihe public ; and a day may w’ell be spent rambling, 
knee-deep in fading bracken, amid its delicious glades of beech, Oidc, 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 fcalurcs 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 Faruingham 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. Faruingham is a capital place for head-quarters, with clean ami 
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 mile?. 
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