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Medieval moated site and associated fishpond, Franks Hall.

1 ha

📷 Roger Smith · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Free entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

51.38739, 0.23474

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking

Best for

5 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Robin +59 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Robin +59 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Small White, Meadow Brown, Stag Beetle +68 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Small White, Meadow Brown, Stag Beetle +68 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

6 signed routes nearby · 2 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Circular Walk from Darent Valley Path DWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Darent Valley PathWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Faesten Dic PathWalking route3.2 km
Named routeLength 3.2 kmLocal walking route
1066 Harold's WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Samuel Palmer TrailWalking route

Immerse yourself in the life, work and inspiration of Samuel Palmer on an audio-guided journey through Shoreham and surrounding areas.

Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

9 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route762 m
Named routeRef 1Length 762 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route1 km
Named routeRef 1Length 1 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route318 m
Named routeRef 1Length 318 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route139 m
Named routeRef 1Length 139 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route110 m
Named routeLength 110 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

River Darent at Franks, near Horton Kirby

📷 Roger Smith · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

River Darent at Franks, near Horton Kirby

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Swanley ParkUrban park4.7 km→🌱Hextable ParkUrban park4.2 km→🌱Swanley ParkUrban park4.3 km→🌱Swanley ParkUrban park4.6 km→🏞️DARENTHCountry park4.9 km→✦FRANKS HALLHistoric site200 m→

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