The gorgeous UK village near London with a river running through it and 3 pubs

As the last wisps of winter’s chill dissipate, a picturesque village in Kent beckons, offering a perfect destination to shake off the blues. Farningham, with its quaint charm, is a haven worth exploring, especially when the sun peeks through the clouds.

This 18th-century village boasts an array of attractions, including three cozy pubs, a curry restaurant, and a Grade II-listed bridge. Visitors can stroll along the old red brick pavements, admire the cherished flint wall, and explore the local church.

For book lovers, Wadard Books, an antiquarian bookshop, is a treasure trove of rare and collectible volumes, with a focus on military history, Kent, and London topography.

One enthusiastic reviewer on Google praised the bookshop, saying, “Excellent selection of second-hand books, particularly history. A very friendly and knowledgeable owner as well.”

Wadard Books, located on the High Street, is open from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday, and regularly updates its stock. So, why not plan a visit to Farningham and discover its unique charm?

A peek inside reveals the quintessential charm of a second-hand bookshop, with no labels on the shelves and an owner who knows the location of every book.

The walls are adorned with books ranging from leather-bound to hardbacks, and paperbacks categorised into sections, making it a haven for book enthusiasts who prefer to browse at leisure rather than find what they want instantly. After all, the joy lies in the search.

The shop is housed in a listed 17th-century building and was inaugurated in 2001 by Martin and Pamela Finch. If you plan to visit, you might consider purchasing a copy of Farningham and Its Mill: a history of a village in Kent, penned by Hilary Harding, to gain more insight into the village.

The 18th-century mill, once a water-powered corn and saw mill, drew its power from the River Darent. However, it ceased operations as a corn grinding mill in 1900.

For the musically inclined residents, the Farningham Guitar Club offers a thrilling 2025 programme that promises to be fingerpicking fantastic. From country songs and “songs that were banned”, to Tom Petty, the Beatles, “60s protest songs” and the niche-sounding “Welsh rock”, the club offers an eclectic mix.

The parish council assures a bustling social scene. Further evidence of the village’s zest for life includes a Women’s Institute, a cricket club, and an amateur drama group, The Axstane Players, among many others.

Farningham, a village in the Sevenoaks district, is home to an active voluntary group known as Friends of Farningham. This group meets twice a month, primarily during the summer months, with the aim of enhancing the village and always welcomes an “extra pair of hands”.

One of their key objectives is to maintain “our historic bridge and cattle screen free of weeds” and ensure the preservation of the magnificent flint wall that runs through the High Street.

The village itself, with a population of approximately 1,457 residents, boasts a High Street adorned with elegant Victorian-style lampposts and beautiful properties on either side. Many of these buildings, including the ‘Scouts Hall’, are painted in shades of white or cream and feature front lawns teeming with lavender during the summer months.

Farningham’s charm extends to its old red brick pavements, expansive grass verges, and a tall brick wall draped with wisteria. The village is also home to grand, mature trees, the Pied Bull pub, and the stunning St Peter and St Paul Church, complete with a lychgate and cemetery.

The church’s graveyard bursts into blossom each spring, and the Grade I-listed building “has stood proclaiming God’s presence in Farningham village for nearly 800 years”, according to the parish’s website. The village also features a recently redecorated and refurbished village hall, complete with a tiled roof and an adjacent picturesque meadow, both available for hire.

Adding to the village’s allure is the Grade II-listed Farningham Bridge, which bears the inscription: “This bridge was built by order of the Court of Quarter Sessions. 1773. Edward Grey Arch.”

The bridge underwent repairs and widening in 1833, reports Kent Live.

Farningham is a small village situated at the crossroads between London and Maidstone and Dartford and Sevenoaks. The village has a unique Georgian ‘bridge’, or folly, next to The Lion Hotel.

This “cattle screen” was used to keep stray cows from entering private land and is a popular attraction in the area despite not being a traversable bridge.

British Listed Buildings stated that the genuine bridge in the village had to be maintained due to its location on the main road connecting London to Dover.

However, the village is currently facing controversy as there are plans to construct a solar panel site, Gabrielspring Wood Solar Park, which would comprise 30,000 solar panels on Green Belt land less than a kilometre from Farningham. The plan, submitted to Sevenoaks District Council in November, has raised concerns among locals that the picturesque landscape in the area may be “destroyed”.

Despite being located near London, Farningham provides an atmosphere of a countryside retreat while still being easily accessible to surrounding towns and cities. London is 19 miles away, with regular trains connecting Farningham Road Railway Station to London in 38 minutes.

In addition, Ebbsfleet International, which is located approximately eight miles away, operates high-speed Southeastern services. For those with a need for speed, the renowned Brands Hatch motor racing circuit is just under three miles away in West Kingsdown.

The local parish council takes pride in the fact that the village centre has retained its historic charm, appearing almost unchanged to a “time traveller” from a century ago.

This preservation of history is largely due to the Conservation Area, which spans an impressive 37 acres and encompasses 46 listed buildings. This includes the entirety of the High Street, the cricket ground, Market Meadow near the village hall, and land surrounding a hotel.

The village is also home to the breathtaking Farningham Woods Nature Reserve, inaugurated by Sir David Attenborough in 1986. This ancient woodland, perched atop a hill north of the village, is one of Kent’s most precious woodland areas.

For those keen to explore, there’s a 1.6-mile walking route complete with waymarks that covers most of the reserve. Alternatively, you could embark on a walk from Farningham to Eynsford and back, a route described by Magdalena Marsden of Handmade Kent as a “perfect afternoon stroll through Kentish countryside”.

This four-mile round trip is easy to navigate thanks to marked paths, taking you through fields, meadows, and villages, with the ruins of Eynsford Castle visible in the valley ahead.

Farningham’s trio of pubs, The Chequers Inn, The Lion Hotel, and The Pied Bull, are complemented by the highly-rated Palace of India curry house, which boasts a commendable four out of five stars on Tripadvisor across 145 reviews. This High Street gem serves up Indian and Bangladeshi dishes, catering to vegetarians as well.

A glowing review from September awarded it a full five stars: “Fantastic food, good service and amazing atmosphere with brilliant views. Mixed grill was amazing but order if you have an appetite! “.

The preceding testimonial also praised the establishment, while giving a nod to the nearby Chequers: “Consistently excellent, flavoursome fare, large menu with all the regular mains and sides you’d expect plus an inviting list of ‘chef’s recommendations’ (my go-to search for something different in any restaurant).”

“Decent size portions, cooked to your preferred heat, excellent quality, and they’re not robbing you with their prices. For religious reasons they no longer hold an alcohol license but the Chequers two doors down are happy for you to take your drinks to the restaurant (and serve you aperitifs and nightcap) and there’s no corkage on the restaurant bill. Chequers has a range of draft beers, always an ale and the usual spirits, wines, ciders – great village pub, very friendly.”

This charming village has been graced by the presence of historical luminaries. The first to lay claim were the Romans, with remnants of their dwellings in nearby Eynsford, but it was Charles Dickens who frequented Farningham, lured by the “excellent trout fishing” along the River Darent.

In an era where few female writers emerged from the lower classes during the Victorian period, Mary Anne Hearn made her mark. Born in 1834 in this village, she adopted the pen name Marianne Farningham and became known for her poetry, editing, biographies, and hymns.

An illustrious resident, Captain Bligh of ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ fame, infamous for the rebellion he faced aboard HMS County in 1789, also called this village home. His story gained silver screen immortality with Marlon Brando portraying him in the Hollywood epic.

For those intrigued by military lore, Major Walter Gordon Wilson resided here too; passing in 1957, he was recognized in 1919 as the co-inventor of the tank. An Irishman and mechanical engineer, Wilson served in the British Royal Naval Air Service.

Planning a Trip to Farningham Woods.

Set off into Farningham Woods via the A225 just south of Horton Kirby. You can find parking at the terminus of Calfstock Lane, which is fitted with a height barrier.

To access via public transport, your best bet is the Farningham Road station, a mere two-mile trek north from Calfstock Lane.

While there are no dedicated amenities for cyclists or horse riders, a byway that runs between Calfstock Lane and Button Street is accessible to both. The closest lavatories can be found in Farningham village.

Wondering where to park in Farningham?

The High Street car park offers 21 spaces and allows free parking for up to two hours.