FIRST EDITION
a guide to cycle routes in Kent
www.kent.gov.uk/cycling
discover Kent
by
There is no better way to explore the delights of
Kent than by bicycle. With its charming countryside
and varied coastline, Kent offers cyclists a
refreshing and enriching experience.
Pedal along the stunning chalk cliffs of the North
Downs, discover the unspoilt and surprisingly
empty beaches or explore the quiet winding lanes
and villages of the beautiful Wealden countryside.
Kent is well known as the Garden of England
and is renowned for its hop fields, orchards and
distinctive oast houses. Kent is steeped in history
too and its cycle routes take you past castles, old
churches, historic houses, as well as numerous
splendid and celebrated gardens.
bike
Kent is easily accessible from London by train
and road, making it an ideal destination for a
day’s cycling. The extensive range of good quality
accommodation on offer, from delightful B&Bs,
to first class hotels, means that Kent is also a
fabulous location for longer cycling holidays.
With excellent cross channel connections, including
access to Europe’s high-speed rail network, Kent is
now easier to reach than ever from many parts of
mainland Europe.
Cycling isn’t just a rewarding and invigorating way
to explore Kent – regular cycling has enormous
health benefits too. Think of it as one of the best
physical and mental makeovers you can get – and
it’s free!
Traffic-free routes
for all ages and abilities
Thanks to an active strategy, now in its 10th year, Kent is well served by cycle routes. Sustrans, the
sustainable transport charity is co-ordinating the National Cycle Network. There are four interlinked
national routes within the county and a number of regional routes, all of which connect with the
national routes.
All are well-signposted and offer substantial sections of safe, traffic-free cycling, suitable for
ordinary road bikes.
With so much to offer, we have selected some of the highlights of cycling in Kent specifically for
this brochure.
We’ve included routes suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Whether you want a fantastic
family day out or something a little more challenging, we hope you’ll find plenty to whet your
appetite. And all the routes are well served by rail, so go on – get on your bike!
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getting you
started
GRAVESEND
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MARGATE
RECULVER
SHEPPEY
WHITSTABLE
MEDWAY
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RAMSGATE
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SITTINGBOURNE
PEGWELL BAY
SANDWICH
CANTERBURY
MAIDSTONE
DEAL
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ASHFORD
DOVER
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
FOLKESTONE
HYTHE
TENTERDEN
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NEW ROMNEY
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NOT TO SCALE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY
Kent offers so many opportunities
for cyclists and this brochure is just
a taster of some of the highlights.
For more detailed information you can’t better
Kent County Council’s (KCC) excellent website
www.kent.gov.uk/cycling which is dedicated to
cycling in the county.
It includes lots of information. In particular, the
“routes” section includes downloadable leisure
cycling brochures. These often include details of
places of interest along the way.
You can also buy Ordnance Survey maps and
other Kent cycling publications through the
website’s on-line shop.
You’ll also find contact information for cycle hire
shops, a list of companies that organise cycling
holidays in Kent, and a special section featuring
mountain bike trails.
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All routes highlighted in this brochure contain
“traffic-free” sections and all (except the mountain
bike trail centres featured on the inside back
page) are suitable for standard road bikes.
Typically traffic-free routes follow disused railway
lines, bridleways, dedicated cycle tracks and
occasionally cycle lanes on roads.
Another great source of cycling information is the
Sustrans website www.sustrans.org.uk
We are delighted to provide
readers of this magazine
with a special discount on
the Garden of England route
map published by Sustrans.
SPECIAL OFFER
Buy the Garden of England
map (NN1X) for just £4.50
(inc p&p) direct from Sustrans.
Usual price £5.99 (+ p&p)
Quote code CK1
Call 0845 113 0065
or visit
www.sustrans.org.uk
Terms and conditions apply see back cover
Covers National Routes
featured in this guide.
planning your journey
Tips ● carry a map of the route ● look where you are
going ● wear bright clothing ● get off and walk where
you need to ● follow the Highway Code, even on traffic
free routes ● give way to walkers and horse riders
● be sensible about your capabilities ● make sure you
drink plenty of water ● apply a strong sunscreen ● carry
your mobile phone ● take a lock and chain
Travelling by train ● be prepared to carry your
bicycle, not all stations have lifts or escalators linking
platforms so you will need to use bridges and subways
to make some connections ● avoid the rush hour,
bicycles may not be permitted on certain trains during
peak travel and it will also save you money.
Finally, the golden rules of safe cycling are:
be seen be protected be heard
be safe be wise be courteous
and of course have fun!
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(NATIONAL ROUTE 1)
7.5 miles (12km), mainly
traffic-free Disused railway
line from University of Kent,
Canterbury to Whitstable
RAILWAY
There are railway stations
at either end of the route.
Canterbury has two stations,
Canterbury West is the closer
to the start of the trail.
For train times call:
08457 484950
BIKE HIRE
Canterbury, Downland Cycle
Hire. Will collect and deliver
within a 15 mile radius by
arrangement
Tel: 01227 479643;
www.downlandcycles.co.uk
TOURIST INFORMATION
Canterbury: 01227 378100
Whitstable: 01227 275482
www.kenttourism.co.uk
MAPS & GUIDES
Ordnance Survey Explorer 150
& Landranger 179 cover this
area, please telephone KCC
on 01622 663306 (Mon to Fri
between 11am and 3pm only)
to order.
Interactive cycle mapping at
www.sustrans.org.uk
Crab & Winkle Way brochure is
downloadable from
www.kent.gov.uk/cycling
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Crab and
Winkle Way
The Viking
Coastal Trail
The Crab and Winkle Way is a terrific 7.5 mile (12km)
mainly traffic-free route between Canterbury and
Whitstable. Opened in 1999, it forms part of National
Route 1 and takes its name from the railway line that
once ran between the two towns until 1952. It’s mostly
flat, running partly on the old railway path, but also on
woodland and Forestry Commission tracks.
Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or a novice, you’ll
find plenty to enjoy along the 32 mile (51km) long circular
route around the Isle of Thanet peninsular, the point where
Vikings first landed in Britain.
The coastal section from Pegwell
Bay to Reculver winds its
way past sandy beaches and
bays, often against a backdrop
of spectacular chalk cliffs.
Ramsgate and Margate are lively
seaside resorts, but it’s hard
to beat the nostalgic charm of
Broadstairs.
It’s a great family day out with plenty
of interesting stop-offs along the
way, from modern sculptures to
medieval earthworks.
From Canterbury West station,
head up to the university campus
where you’ll pick up the start of the
trail, about half of which is on the
disused railway. Once in Whitstable,
enjoy the oysters while taking in
the stunning views across the bay,
especially at sunset.
The inland return loop is on quiet
lanes, taking in pretty Kentish
villages with ancient churches
and passing Minster Abbey, one
of England’s oldest inhabited
buildings founded in 670.
Incidentally, the Crab and Winkle
Line was the World’s first passenger
railway line when it opened in 1830.
But the steam locomotive Invicta
couldn’t cope with the gradients
and was soon replaced with
cables driven by a winding steam
engine. But cyclists today shouldn’t
experience any problems with the
short climbs!
GRAVESEND
If you don’t want to undertake
the whole route, try the 9 mile
traffic-free stretch that follows
the seawall from Margate to
Reculver.
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MARGATE
RECULVER
SHEPPEY
RAMSGATE
MEDWAY
SITTINGBOURNE
PEGWELL BAY
SANDWICH
CANTERBURY
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MAIDSTONE
DEAL
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NOT TO SCALE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY
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ASHFORD
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
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The only on-road section takes
you along the cliff from Westgateon-Sea to Epple Bay where you
rejoin the sea wall. You can avoid
the road by cutting across the
foreshore, but cyclists will have to
carry their bikes - and risk getting
their feet wet if they get the tide
wrong!
32 miles (51km) circular trail,
around 11 miles (18km) trafficfree, 21 miles (33km) on roads
Coastal section from
Pegwell Bay to
Reculver 21 miles (34km)
Inland section on quiet lanes
from Reculver to Pegwell Bay
10 miles (16km)
RAILWAY
Stations close to the route at
Ramsgate, Dumpton Park,
Broadstairs, Margate,
Westgate on Sea, Birchington
and Herne Bay. Minster
station is on the inland return
loop. For train times call:
08457 484950
BIKE HIRE
Margate, Kens Bikes.
Will collect and deliver
within a 15 mile radius
by arrangement.
Tel: 01843 221422
TOURIST INFORMATION
Ramsgate, Margate &
Broadstairs: 01843 583333
www.kenttourism.co.uk
MAPS & BROCHURES
Ordnance Survey Explorer 150
& Landranger 179 cover this
area, please tel KCC on
01622 663306 (Mon to Fri
between 11am and 3pm only)
to order
Interactive cycle mapping at
www.sustrans.org.uk Viking Coastal Trail brochures
are downloadable from
www.kent.gov.uk/cycling
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WHITSTABLE
KEY
You can join the well-signed route
on the sea wall directly opposite
Margate station. Along the sea
wall to Westgate-on-Sea you’ll
find plenty of diversions, with
slopes and steps to the cliff tops
and down to the beaches and
rock pools.
(REGIONAL ROUTE 15)
DOVER
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Minnis Bay is popular with
swimmers, as well as sailors,
windsurfers and sea canoeists.
From here the scenery changes
with striking views of the flat
marshland as you approach
Reculver, a few miles east of
Herne Bay.
For tide tables and
weather forecast visit
www.ramsgatemarina.co.uk or
call 01843 572100.
RAILWAY
Kent Coast Mainline (KCM)
stations at Sandwich, Deal,
Walmer, Martin Mill, Dover
Priory, Folkestone Central,
Folkestone West. Rye links
to the KCM at Ashford
International.
BIKE HIRE
DEAL, Deal Prams & Cycles.
Tel: 01304 366080;
DEAL, Hutchings Cycles.
Tel: 01304 364945
FOLKESTONE, Renhams
Cycles. Tel: 01303 241884
MARGATE, Ken’s Bikes.
Will collect and deliver within a
15 mile radius by arrangement.
Tel: 01843 221422
RYE, Rye Hire. Will collect and
deliver within a 15 mile radius
by arrangement.
Tel: 01797 223033
TOURIST INFORMATION
Sandwich: 01304 613565
Deal: 01304 369576
Dover: 01304 205108
Folkestone: 01303 258594
Hythe: 01303 267799
New Romney: 01797 364044
www.kenttourism.co.uk
MAPS & BROCHURES
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Ordnance Survey Explorer
125, 138 & 150 and Land
Ranger 179,189 maps cover
this area, and show locations
of all train stations. Please
telephone KCC on 01622
663306 (Mon to Fri between
11am and 3pm only) to order
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Interactive cycle mapping at
www.sustrans.org.uk
A pack of five cycle rides
Romney Marsh Meanders
can be purchased by phoning
the KCC number above
Sandwich in Kent
to Rye in East Sussex
Samphire Hoe can also be
reached from the A20.
Follow National Routes 1 & 2 all the way down the Kent
Coast taking in stunning coastal cliff paths, dedicated sea
wall cycle paths and quiet country lanes through Romney
Marsh. Both Sandwich and Rye have rail connections to
Ashford International and on to London.
Alternatively from Dover, head
7 miles towards Folkestone
for more rugged views of the
Channel from the famous White
Cliffs. Be prepared for steep
climbs as the route drops back
to sea level (and some on-road
cycling) at both Dover and
Folkestone, so this section is
probably better suited to more
experienced riders.
Fit, experienced cyclists could
cover the entire route in a day,
but with good rail links along
the coast, it is easy to tackle in
stages. Many of the traffic-free
sections are generally within
the capabilities of children – but
don’t be overambitious.
For a rewarding and relatively
gentle day out, we recommend
the 9 mile section from Dover
to Deal, which runs along a
stunningly scenic coastal cliff
path. Except for a long steep
climb from the centre of Dover
up to the Castle, it is downhill
almost all the way.
To avoid the climb and Dover’s
traffic, take the train to Martin
Mill and cut 2 miles across land
and join National Route 1 at St
Margaret’s at Cliff and then enjoy
the tremendous run down to Deal.
From here you could pop on the
GRAVESEND
train back to Dover or continue
a
further 5 miles, again largely trafficfree cycling, on to Sandwich where
the chalk downland gives way to
sandy beaches and dunes. Again
you could let the train take the
strain for the journey back.
From Folkestone to Rye
(32 miles) the route becomes
much flatter. Leaving the centre
of Folkestone, the path follows
the seawall and is almost totally
traffic-free for 6 miles to the
Royal Military Canal at Hythe.
From Hythe, National Route 2
moves a few miles inland taking
quiet country lanes through the
picturesque villages of Romney
Marsh including Burmarsh and
Old Romney. After passing
the historic town of Lydd, it’s
back onto a traffic-free cycle
path most of the way into
Rye, rejoining the road only at
Camber with its stunning wide
sandy beach and dunes.
Mid way between Dover and
Folkestone you can cut down
to Samphire Hoe, a unique
land mass jutting out into the
For an alternative route between
English Channel created from
Hythe and Old Romney, take the
the material dug during the
A259 out of Hythe.
building of the Channel
�Tunnel.
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It includes 2 miles of flat trafficAfter a couple of MARGATE
miles or so the
free cycling, exceptionally
RECULVER
road rejoins the coast and from
SHEPPEY
brilliant blue sea, plusWHITSTABLE
of course
here you can follow RAMSGATE
the
MEDWAYbeautiful wildlife and scenery.
seawall along the beachfront
through Dymchurch and on to
Littlestone-on-Sea. Head inland,
passing New Romney, to join
National Route 2 at Old Romney.
The Romney, Hythe &
Dymchurch miniature steam
railway, which carries bicycles,
stops at six stations between
Dungeness and Hythe. It is also
within comfortable reach of
mainline stations at Folkestone
and Rye.
PEGWELL BAY
SITTINGBOURNE
SANDWICH
CANTERBURY
MAIDSTONE
DEAL
TONBRIDGE
DOVER
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
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(NATIONAL ROUTE 1&2)
54 miles (87km), of which
24 miles (39km) are traffic-free,
30 miles (48km) on roads.
NEW ROMNEY
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NOT TO SCALE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY
SITTINGBOURNE
CANTERBURY
MAIDSTONE
Ashford to
Tunbridge Wells
This 42 mile (67km) route runs on small country lanes
through the High Weald. It’s the best way to take in Kent’s
quintessential Garden of England scenery, complete with
hops, apple orchards, oast houses and picture postcard
villages.
TONBRIDGE
PENSHURST
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
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(NATIONAL ROUTE 18)
42 miles (67km)
7 miles (11km) traffic-free
35 miles (56km) on road
RAILWAY
Stations at Ashford
International, Tunbridge Wells
and Rye. For train times call:
08457 484950
TOURIST INFORMATION
Ashford: 01233 629165
Tenterden: 01580 763572
Tunbridge Wells: 01892 515675
Bewl Water: 01892 890661
www.kenttourism.co.uk
The Parish Pedals rides brochure features four circular routes totalling
45 miles through some of Kent’s loveliest countryside. They are based
around Benenden and Hemsted Forest; Brenchley and Horsmonden;
Hawkhurst and Bedgebury Forest; Headcorn, Frittenden and
Sissinghurst. Check out Kent’s excellent cycling website
www.kent.gov.uk/cycling for more information.
For those who want to tackle the full run, which forms part of the well
signposted National Route 18, there are dedicated cycle lanes, running
alongside main roads at both Tunbridge Wells and Ashford. Other
than this, the main traffic-free section is through Bedgebury Forest,
which offers a number of cycle routes, although not all are suitable for
standard road bikes or racers.
TENTERDEN
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BIKE HIRE:
BEWL WATER, Lamberhurst.
Tel: 01892 891446;
www.cuckmere-cycle.co.uk
PENSHURST OFF-ROAD
CENTRE, Tonbridge.
Tel: 01892 870136;
www.porc-online.co.uk
Anybody who thinks Kent is flat might reconsider after this ride, which
is not recommended for novice riders. However there are a series of
shorter rides that explore the Weald in more manageable chunks.
ASHFORD
MAPS & BROCHURES
●
Ordnance Survey Land Ranger
188, 189 and Explorer 125, 136
& 137 maps cover this area,
please tel KCC on 01622 663306
(Mon to Fri between 11am and
3pm only) to order
●
Interactive cycle mapping at
www.sustrans.org.uk
●
Parish Pedals brochure can be
purchased through
www.kent.gov.uk/cycling or by
calling the above number
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LYDD
NOT TO SCALE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY
If you are interested in some more
challenging mountain bike routes along
the way, try the 12 mile circuit around Bewl
Water at Lamberhurst. This offers lovely
views across the lake, the largest inland
water in the southeast.
The track is suitable for mountain bikes
and hybrids in drier weather. It is open
for cyclists from early May until the end of
October. Although generally level, Bewl has
three significant hills and includes a short
section along quiet country lanes. There is a
large car park and bikes can be hired on site
(see info box for contact details).
Alternatively, 3 miles north west of
Tunbridge Wells is the Penshurst Off-Road
Centre. This fantastic facility is open all
year in Viceroys Wood. It offers mountain
bike trails for all levels of ability, from very
technical to family leisure. Cycles can also
be hired on site.
For further information contact
Kent County Council
Invicta House
Maidstone
Kent ME14 1XX
Tel: 08458 247 247
www.kent.gov.uk/cycling
e-mail: [email protected]
Kent County Council: Environment and Economy
Sustrans: David Young, Project Management
Journalism: Paul Wheeler
Design: Paul Baker
Photos: David Young, Paul Baker, Julia Bayne,
Tim Snowdon and Ray Blackwell.
Environment & Economy Division
PAGE 3 MAP OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Offer limited to one order per person and to National Cycle Network
Garden of England map only. Call 0845 113 0065 to order and quote
code CK1. Offer valid from 10 June 2004 – 31 December 2005. Not valid
in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability.
This guide has been printed on recycled paper containing at
least 75% post consumer waste. Alcohol-free technologies
have been used to reduce emissions, and sustainability is
enhanced by the use of vegetable rather than mineral oil
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