Cycle breaks in Kent

Just a stone's throw away from London, with excellent transport
links and an extensive range of good quality accommodation on
offer, Kent is the ideal destination to escape it all for a short
break.
Cycle breaks in Kent is an excellent set of five guides about
cycling in Kent. Explore Canterbury, Sandwich, Thanet, Tonbridge
and the Weald complete with details of local attractions,
accommodation plus a detailed look at the areas that you cycle
through.
Why not get on your bike and explore Kent's countryside and
coast?
Browse all cycle routes.
Cathedral to coast - plan a short break in Canterbury

Easily reached by road, rail or from the coast, Canterbury is a
fine example of an English City. Canterbury has been welcoming
visitors for thousands of years. As well as its many ancient
buildings, vibrant shops, bars and restaurants, the City has become
a “cycle route hub” for East Kent and a perfect base for cycling
holidays or days out by bike.
Canterbury’s two railway stations offer excellent connections to
many of the best locations on Kent’s rural and coastal National
Cycle Network (NCN) as well as Ashford International and London
main line railway stations.
When you leave the City on your bike, you will enjoy excellent
views of the villages and countryside that pass you by. Such
delights include the Saxon village of Elham, with its old English
charm, remnants of the iron smelting industry and an historic
railway line.
Whitstable also has an undeniable character with its colourful
boats moored in the harbour, stony sand shoreline and seafood
markets selling fresh shellfish.
Download
the Canterbury cycle guide.
Coast, castles and cliff tops - plan a short break in
Sandwich

From history to countryside, routes from Sandwich offer
beautiful clifftop views with mesmerising sunsets and daybreaks. A
27-mile (43km) ride beside Kent’s stunning coastline on National
Cycle Routes 1 and 2 passes by a designated Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB), medieval Cinque Ports, castles, clifftop
trails, seawalls and superb attractions providing the perfect
backdrop for a memorable cycling holiday.
Cyclists cannot help but experience the sheer delights of
Sandwich, Dover, Deal, Folkestone and Hythe. With
fine views stretching as far as the eye can see as you descend into
Folkestone Harbour and then you can enjoy a mostly traffic free
ride along the seawall to Sandgate and Hythe.
There are also some excellent Country
Parks with children’s play areas to enjoy and many different
varieties of wildlife to spot.
Download
the Sandwich cycle guide.
Seascapes and skies - plan a short break in Thanet

Thanet offers visitors spectacular seascapes and skies,
unspoiled beaches and bays, promenades as well as seawalls, chalk
clifftops and paths, historic sites and lively seaside resorts.
This seaside adventure is a must.
Enjoy cycling the well-maintained Viking Coastal Trail (27
miles, 43.5km) and exploring an exceptional piece of South East
England’s coastline. Thanet was once separated from Kent by the
Wantsum Channel which was an important shipping lane for the
Romans, but the river eventually silted up with deposits from the
River Stour. Watch the level of the land change as you cycle from
the seawalls at Reculver. If you enjoy rock pooling or tales of
smugglers, then this trail is perfect for those eager to discover
the isle’s 15 sandy beaches with their individual histories and
frequent traffic-free routes.
If you prefer shorter cycle rides, there are six suggested
routes of varying lengths taking
in Margate, St Nicholas-at-Wade, North Foreland, Ramsgate Harbour
and Cliffsend all with optional extensions. All these routes are
excellent for families and novices. There are several Country Parks
along the way that are perfect for those windy, kite-flying
days.
Download
the Thanet cycle guide.
Village and views - plan a short break in the Weald
The medieval country town of Tenterden, its surrounding Wealden
villages and the local Kent
countryside never fail to inspire. Traditional Kentish hospitality
can be found in the Weald’s many tea rooms, pubs and restaurants.
Wonderful scenery is also the order of the day and seasoned tourers
will enjoy a roller-coaster ride through the High Weald of Kent, an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
For a more leisurely adventure, the flat expanse of the Walland
and Romney Marshes offers perfect cycling for all abilities. You
can also discover Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, a woodland
paradise, managed by the Forestry Commission, where everyone can
experience the exhilaration of trafficfree walking and cycling in
the woods.
Take a short detour to visit Bewl Water and discover the largest
inland expanse of open water in the South East. Allow some time for
a picnic and a wellearned rest to enjoy the spectacular sights and
the many different varieties of birds. Bewl is not only a
birdwatchers paradise but also a quiet haven away from the hustle
and bustle of the neighbouring towns.
Download
the Weald cycle guide.
Oast houses, gardens and castles - plan a short break in
Tonbridge
A
glorious selection of cycle rides await at Tonbridge. Regional
Cycle Route 12 offers a mostly traffic-free cycle route from
Tonbridge Castle to the magnificent buildings and Gardens of
Penshurst Place and on to impressive Hever Castle. Enjoy easy-going
cycling with terrific views, open spaces and plenty of attractions
along the way.
Tonbridge is also the perfect staging post for those wishing to
Cycle Kent further afield. There are good road and rail connections
to the National Cycle Network around the county.
The cycling pages on the Explore Kent website will direct you to
the best locations and help you make the most of your visit. For
serious thrill seeking cyclists, off-road fans can indulge in
plenty of excitement at Penshurst Off-Road Centre with its wealth
of challenging trails. Alternatively, for a shorter and much more
leisurely cycle ride suitable for all ages, discover the disused
railway route between nearby Groombridge and East Grinstead.
Download
the Tonbridge cycle guide.
