Please could someone explain how to travel this route with public transport without going back into London? I gather there is a bus for part of the journey that runs every two hours but then I would need to change to a second bus that only runs once per day. I’m not above walking up to 3 miles each way. Is this possible? Many thanks!
Posted by
Lake District, England
10612 posts
The best day of the week to make the journey is on a Sunday.
You would take the train from Sevenoaks to Bromley South then the red London bus #246 (at normal London bus fares of £1.75) every hour from 0929. The bus journey takes 45 minutes. Buses back are hourly until 1720.
On other days of the week the 246 terminates at Westerham, and runs every 30 minutes. It will be close to a 3 mile walk from Westerham.
On a weekday it is easier and cheaper to get the bus direct from Sevenoaks to Westerham- run by Go Coach Hire
~1- at 0936, 1036, 1136, 1236 and 1406 returning at 0958, 1058, 1158, 1258, 1428 and 1628
On a Sunday #401 runs from Sevenoaks to Westerham at 0903, 1103, 1333 and 1533, returning at 1131, 1401 and 1601. Change to the 246 at Westerham.
Return fare on the 1 and 401 is £7.
EDIT- I've done some digging- On Monday to Friday Citymapper is incorrect about the bus #236 which takes you from Westerham Green to Westerham Mapleton Road (14 minutes walk from Chartwell)- it runs 4 x a day, not once. So if you go from Sevenoaks by bus buy a South Downs Discovery Day Ticket for £10 on your first bus. That covers all buses that day in the area (and as far as Heathrow Airport not via London, Salisbury, Portsmouth and Dover- a remarkable bus ticket).
No Saturday and Sunday service on the 236.
Posted by
Chicago
1890 posts
I am confused by your reference to London. Are you already in Sevenoaks?
From Sevenoaks, take a taxi. I did this in June , 2025. Arranged for taxi to return to pick us up after our visit. We did the Chartwell visit from London. Train from London to Sevenoaks - taxi to Chartwell - visit Chartwell - met our taxi driver for return to Sevenoaks train station - train to London.
Lots of details and discussion here from a post about 2 months old:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/using-the-taxi-for-chartwell-and-hever-castle