KENT - the Final Frontier

[Dick Knights Mumm]

I am going on a cycle tour in a couple of weeks - just a bit of a potter around starting from Rye and working our way around the coast with a diversion inland to Canterbury at some point.

Any recommendation, thoughts, ideas on what to see, diversions to take etc will be welcome.

Garden of England and all that.

 

[Hungry Joe]

The old town preservation area in Deal is really nice and has some good pubs and eating places.

 

[Norman Potting]

Tenterden is nice and not far from Rye. Anywhere east of Canterbury is best avoided. The area between Canterbury, Hythe and Folkestone is nice countryside. Deal, Sandwich and Hythe are nice towns, don't go east of Sandwich.

As you value your life don't go to the Medway Towns (don't hear them called that very often, must be my age).

 

[Davemania]

Dungeness-it has a lovely power station. Seriously tho go inland at this point, went there as a child on that little railway, foggy and damp day, never seen such a bleak place in all my life. Hythe was nice tho

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

What is Broadstairs like ? It sounds like it should be a nice place. Deal is on the itinerary.

And No - we won't be going to the north coast. I should think Chatham might be interesting - but Gillingham is a no-no.

 

[mikeyjh]

What is Broadstairs like ? It sounds like it should be a nice place. Deal is on the itinerary.

And No - we won't be going to the north coast. I should think Chatham might be interesting - but Gillingham is a no-no.

Broadstairs is lovely, a proper old seaside resort, definitely worth a visit.

 

[Phat Baz 68]

How many ears does Captain Kirk have ?
His left ear , his right ear and wait for it ................his final front ear !!! ha ha ha old but i had to get that in this thread it was begging for it !

 

[Gwylan]

What is Broadstairs like ? It sounds like it should be a nice place. Deal is on the itinerary.

And No - we won't be going to the north coast. I should think Chatham might be interesting - but Gillingham is a no-no.

Broadstairs and Herne Bay are both lovely places - at least they were when I was there 10 years ago. Whitstable is rather nice but is rather patronised by the Islington set now (with prices to match).

If you're making a diversion to Canterbury, it's worth going to see Chilham, a glorious unspoiled village (home to a hundred period dramas).

Margate has its new gallery, that might be worth a visit.

 

[Codner pharmaceuticals]

make sure your vaccinations are up to date.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Dungeness is interesting. Bleak maybe but bit like another planet. Camber have a picnic on the beach dunes near Rye. Fairly sure military base by coast plus an airport so might come inland a bit that first day so beach lunch might be nice.

After that don't think Kent is a patch on Sussex I'm afraid but probably easier cycling along coast without those Downs! Canterbury and Tenterden would be the two towns I'd recommend also have fun!

 

[Stoichkov]

Another vote for Broadstairs here. I hadn't heard of the place when I visited it a couple of years ago and was amazed - a bit like a Cornish seaside town.

Lovely little Crazy Golf course too. Margate is a hole but just outside on Westgate Bay is one of the best Mini Golf courses in the country - 'Strokes Adventure Golf'. Lovely on a sunny day.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Dungeness-it has a lovely power station. Seriously tho go inland at this point, went there as a child on that little railway, foggy and damp day, never seen such a bleak place in all my life. Hythe was nice tho

Ooooh, I've spent a lot of time in Hythe (and Lydd) for work. Very bleak area. Steer clear of the large fenced-off expanses of pebbles when they've got red flags flying, is my only advice.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Fairly sure military base by coast plus an airport so might come inland a bit that first day so beach lunch might be nice.

Probably thinking of Lydd (airport) and Hythe. Two large firing ranges along the front. Think there's a barracks at Folkestone too.

 

[Paskman]

Dungeness is interesting. Bleak maybe but bit like another planet. Camber have a picnic on the beach dunes near Rye. Fairly sure military base by coast plus an airport so might come inland a bit that first day so beach lunch might be nice.

After that don't think Kent is a patch on Sussex I'm afraid but probably easier cycling along coast without those Downs! Canterbury and Tenterden would be the two towns I'd recommend also have fun!

Camber is in Sussex.

Try Chatham dockyard if you like old ships and history.

How about a rememberance trip to the Priestfield?


Sent from - not telling as it upsets some people!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I and several others on here have a remembrance trip to the Pissfield next week <shudders> followed by a cheeky bike ride back to Brighton and the

You can sponsor us (for the REMF & other charities) if you like <shameless plug>

 

[Davemania]

I and several others on here have a remembrance trip to the Pissfield next week <shudders> followed by a cheeky bike ride back to Brighton and the

You can sponsor us (for the REMF & other charities) if you like <shameless plug>

Cheeky bike ride? Its 40 miles or more, good luck with that. I suppose 40 miles didnt seem so much, before i learnt to drive. How can you brave yet foolhardy souls be sponsered though?

 

[Lankyseagull]

I'd stick to cycling in SUSSEX if I were you.

God's County and all that.....

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

To report back ........... it was excellent. We set off from Rye and went around the coast to Whitstable before turning inland to Canterbury. Highlights were Hythe - what a nice place. The cycle route goes alongside that Aspinall (Lucan's mate) place - where you can see Giraffe's, buffalo etc. There is the Royal Military Canal that originally went from Hastings to Rye - and makes the centre green and uncrowded. Folkstone and Dover, inevitably had an air of transitory places. Deal looked a really nice place, busy with an attractive front. Sandwich had an affluent air - but the loss of Pfizers must be a disaster for the area. Ramsgate looked like it had gone down market at some point, but Broadstairs was lovely - as Stoichkov says - it has a cornish feel. Really worth a visit. Margate has a Primark right on the front in the centre of town. There is an upper floor that under previous ownership must have had a nice cafe. Primark just has racks of clothes. We didn't really see enough of Herne Bay and Whitstable. Canterbury looks great.

We simpy followed the National Cycle routes - they were bloomin' great. From Ramsgate to Whitstable it is almost a continual coastal path. It is fantastic. And some great pubs from the Good Beer Guide. Thanks for the recommendations pips.

 

[Falkor]

Chatham is good for the docks lots down there, Deal is lovely and a beautiful pub on the sea front if ya like Belgium Beers, they also have Kings head and another pub that have a lovely seating area on the sea front, and do amazing food, next door to Dunkleys.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Chatham is good for the docks lots down there, Deal is lovely and a beautiful pub on the sea front if ya like Belgium Beers, they also have Kings head and another pub that have a lovely seating area on the sea front, and do amazing food, next door to Dunkleys.

In Deal we went to The Ship on Middle Street (from the GBG) - it was a pubby pub - with very helpful locals giving helpful advice on our route. Deal just looked a really nice, thriving place. A return trip will take us to Chatham.