Kent
Free cycle maps are listed bottom of page.
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 easily accessible from London by train and road, making it an ideal destination for a day's cycling. See below for inspiration. Alternatively, take a look at our suggested Day Rides in Kent or Easy Rides in the South East.
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Open routes in Kent
The National Cycle Network offers miles of sign-posted cycle routes on quiet country lanes and traffic-free paths connecting towns and villages throughout the UK.
Details of open routes are listed below. Further information is also available on route development in Kent.
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National Route 1 |
National Route 1 of the National Cycle Network is known as the Garden of England cycle route in Kent and starts at Dover taking you on the coastal lanes as far as Sandwich. From there the route heads northwest via Canterbury, Whitstable, Sittingbourne and Gravesend, arriving in London at Greenwich. For details of the wonderful traffic free sections along the way, see Day rides in Kent or download maps of Cycle Routes in Medway. See photo tour of National Route 1.
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National Route 2 |
National Route 2 begins in Dover and heads west along the South Coast. Within Kent there are some spectacular traffic free sections along cliff top paths and sea walls at Samphire Hoe Country Park, East Cliff and Warren Country Park, Folkestone's Lower Leas Country Park to Hythe, Dymchurch and St. Mary's Bay. The Cycle Kent brochure can be downloaded or see the photo tour of National Route 2.
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National Route 17: Rochester to Maidstone |
The 11-mile open section of National Route 17 links central Rochester to Maidstone, with approximately half of the route traffic free. It makes an ideal commuting route between the towns arriving in Maidstone alongside the River Medway – what better way to start or end your journey to work? In the long term it will continue to Ashford, and join with National Route 2 on the South Coast.
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National Route 18: Canterbury to Tunbridge Wells |
National Route 18 runs south west from Canterbury, via Ashford and Tenterden, to join up with National Route 21 just west of Tunbridge Wells. The route runs on small country lanes through the High Weald, and is the best way to take in Kent's Garden of England scenery, complete with hops, apple orchards, oast houses and picture postcard villages. Canterbury to Ashford (20 miles) is covered by the Explore Kent by bike guide. Cycling in the High Weald is also covered in the donloadable leaflet Cycle Breaks in Kent: The Weald or download route information for Ashford.
Regional routes
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Regional Route 11 - Cycle Breaks in the Weald |
This is a fantastic easygoing regional route with big open skies and 360-degree views. Attractions/diversions on route include the South of England Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch Windmill, the picturesque village of Appledore and the amazing isolated timber framed church of Thomas Becket on the Walland Marsh.
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Regional Route 12 - Tonbridge Castle to Penshurst Place |
An almost entirely traffic-free cycle ride from the heart of Tonbridge alongside the River Medway, out into the countryside as far as the glorious buildings of Penshurst Place, some five miles to the west. Child friendly with plenty of attractions on route including an open air lido plus this route is easily accessible by train: Tonbridge Station is just 30 min by rail from London Bridge or Ashford International stations. Download the leaflet Cycle Breaks in Kent: Tonbridge.
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Regional Route 15 - Sandwich to Reculver on the Viking Coastal Trail |
Winding its way around the Thanet Peninsular past sandy beaches and bays, spectacular chalk cliffs and lively seaside resorts the Viking Coastal Trail is one of the finest leisure cycle routes in the South East. Enjoy miles of wonderful traffic free cycling with plenty of opportunities to stop off for a swim, a paddle or ice cream. Download info Cycle Breaks in Kent: Thanet, or www.vikingcoastaltrail.co.uk.
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Regional Route 16 - Dover to Canterbury |
Leaving stunning views of Dover Castle behind, you soon join quiet country lanes and meander through fine East Kent Countryside and old villages to Patrixbourne where you join the North Downs Way to Canterbury. The route is perfect for a half or full day's ride with plenty of train stations along the way. Download the Cycle breaks in Kent: Sandwich leaflet.
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Regional Route 17 - Canterbury to Dover |
Leave the fine City of Canterbury on Route 16. At Patrixbourne you pick up scenic Route 17, on through Bridge and follow quiet lanes through the glorious Elham Valley to Paddlesworth where continental travellers can connect with Le Shuttle Cycle Service (May – September) close by at Newington. Route 17 then skirts eastward on delightful lanes to Hawkinge and West Hougham, then downhill to the port of Dover. Download the Cycle breaks in Kent: Sandwich leaflet.
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Regional Route 18 - Higham to Upnor on the Heron Trail |
This is a lovely 18 mile (29km) circular route on the Hoo peninsula, bounded by two great rivers, the Thames to the north and the Medway to the south. Dickens wrote four of his novels including Great Expectations and Tale of two Cities close by and the area was a popular smugglers haunt. The trail provides a combination of rural and maritime interests, medieval houses hiding behind later facades and spectacular views along the route. Download detailed route info here: Heron Trail p.1, Heron Trail p.2.
Route development
Connect2
Sustrans' Connect2 was the winner of The People's £50 Million Lottery Giveaway. There are now three Kent schemes in the final Connect2 list, one at Whitstable and another at Reculver on the Isle of Thanet and most recently Dover has been accepted onto the programme.
Whitstable Crab and Winkle Way
A planning application for two bridges in Whitstable linking the Crab and Winkle Way to the seafront has been lodged. Thanks to all our supporters who took the time to show the council their support for this application.
Dartford
The Princes Tunnel was officially opened on 13th March 2009. The floor of one of two tunnels that carried the River Darent under Princes Road has been raised to provide a spectacular route under the busy A226. Another elevated path over the River Darent under the railway at Dartford Station has also been completed.
Planning for the next phase of work is well underway as part of the Dartford Greenheart scheme, following the award of a £2.2 million grant from the Thames Gateway Parklands fund.
Resurfacing works between Lydd and Camber
Nearly 2 miles of resurfacing works from Lydd towards Camber have been completed.
Chartham to Canterbury
This now completed 3 mile traffic free scheme is funded by Kent County Council and a Sustrans links to schools grant. National Route 18 will be diverted onto this riverside path enabling walkers and cyclists to avoid the A28.
Horses and Goats tunnel
Formal agreements have now been reached between Sustrans, Network Rail and Scotia Gas Networks so that Canterbury's Horses and Goats Tunnel can be reopened to the public. It will link traffic-free paths through the Telephone House and Tannery development sites and the Chartham to Canterbury shared-use path via a bridge over the Great River Stour.
Two new routes on the Isle of Sheppey
The new Sheerness Loop will link four primary schools in the town as well as the Isle of Sheppey Academy. The six mile trail follows Sheerness seafront, Barton's Point Coastal Park and the length of Queensborough Lines, two miles of former defensive earthwork from Napoleonic times.
A scenic six mile route linking Leysdown-on-Sea with the Isle of Harty has also been announced. This trail will provide a wonderful recreational route near to the important wildlife areas of Swale National Nature Reserve and the RSPB Capel Fleet Raptor Viewing Point.
The project is being delivered through a partnership of Kent County Council, Kent Highway Services, Sustrans and Swale Borough Council.
Free cycle maps for Kent
For a comprehensive guide to cycling in Kent download the Explore Kent by bike guide. To obtain paper copies which also include a map of cycle routes in Kent, contact explorekent@kent.gov.uk
Thurrock and Kent Thameside Dartford, Gravesend and Thurrock
(National Routes 1 and 13) - Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)
Download the latest leaflets showing Cycle Breaks in Kent - Canterbury, The Weald, Thanet, Tonbridge and Sandwich.
Spokes East Kent are developing free cycle maps for towns in east Kent.
Download the Cycle Kent brochure / Kent à Vélo (PDF).
Useful web links for Kent
A guide to cycling in the Kent countryside: www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent
For information on developing cycling opportunities in Kent: www.kent.gov.uk/cycling