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.