Soar with the birds - Eynsford

The rich history of Lullingstone Roman Villa with its nationally important mosaics, no preserved for the nation by English Heritage, reflects the continuing agricultural prosperity of the Darent Valley. The villa is by far the best preserved of the many Roman buildings in the valley.

The Romans settled here to take advantage of good farmland close to water and on sloping land to catch the warmth of the sun in the lee of the hill.

The 15th century gatehouse at Lullingstone Castle was one of the first in the country to be built of brick. Both Henry VIII and Queen Anne are known to have been regular visitors.

Eagle Heights Bird of Prey Centre is one of the largest in the country with more than 50 species. The birds can often be seen flying over the valley during the centre's daily demonstrations.

The Eynsford Viaduct carries the Swanley to Sevenoaks railway line across the Darent dramatically framing cottages and the landscape with its high arches. The line was opened in 1862.

The picturesque centre of Eynsford village features a ford which has been of strategic importance since Roman times. Nearby Eynsford Castle was possibly erected to protect the ford.