An Archaeology of Water – explore segment 35 of Trail

On 1st May: A walk inspired by the archaeology along the Darenth Valley – in Experimental Archaeology of Water: on the geodetic, in dowsing for time and other civilisation.

Walking on segment 35, with InspiralLondon Director and lapsed archaeologist Charlie Fox exploring watery leylines, pre-Roman remains and the legacy of hidden civilisations located in waterborne energy lines. Returning to the North Downs of Kent, after our Geology inspired investigations, Charlie will offer an alternative view of the landscape as we walk part of this beautiful segment of the walk as the Metropole runs out towards Gravesend.

We meet at Knockholt Station on Sunday May 1st at 11.30 am to finish walk either at Eynsford Station around 4pm or Shoreham Station around 5pm. (Note we will start walking at 11.30 am – so do aim to be at Station before then – best train arrives 11.15am – Sunday train service from London Bridge at 10.19 am is to Orpington change or train direct from London Victoria 10.28 am depart – both trains have a number of South London stops)

This section of the trail traverses some beautiful down land countryside and then cuts back towards London along the energy lines of the Darenth Valley, as the river wends its’ way to Dartford. We will visit the Druid’s picnic spot, orchid-filled ancient woods, Lullingstone Hill Fort, skirting the Roman Villa, the Castle to end the first part of walking at Eynsford Station.

Darenth apparently means ‘fed by streams where oak trees grow’ – but much of the spring sources of the old river have been captured by the Medway watershed and this river was in danger of almost dying, starved of waters in the 1980’s. Since then conservation works and renewed care of this beautiful waterway means much of the valley is accessible. For the Romans and pre-Roman the valley was a rich mosaic of farmland and forest supporting up to 13 Roman Villas. There were possibly as many Celtic Iron Age Farms along its 22 miles.

This walk seeks to search for, celebrate and uncover some of the more hidden and inaccessible, using dowsing and other experimental archaeology techniques – inspired by the watery leyline theories of Guy Underwood elucidated in his book Patterns of the Past and the Celtic map theories of Graham Robb. This is a walk that delves into the pre-Roman origins of London and its hidden energies. At the same time, we can enjoy walking this section and looping back into the world of another visionary – Samuel Palmer who painted his most arresting works in Shoreham.

Please bring suitable clothes and walking shoes for changeable Spring Weather – plus a light picnic/packed lunch. We ask all participants on the walk to sign up here on eventbrite and give a small donation to support the creative community work of our collective artist-led project.