Cycle breaks in Kent Tonbridge

Explore the Kent coastline
Have fun, stay healthy!
Cycle breaks
in Kent
Oast houses, gardens
and castles...
Tonbridge
KENT
www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent
This guide features a fantastic, mostly
traffic free cycle route from Tonbridge
Castle to the magnificent buildings and
Gardens of Penshurst Place, easy going
cycling with terrific views and open
spaces on route.
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 and this
guide will direct you to the best spots
and help you make the most of your
visit.
History
Tonbridge has been a market town since the
middle ages and boasts Kent’s best example of a
Motte-and-Bailey Gatehouse, among the finest in
England. The story of the castle is interwoven with
that of kings and archbishops, tyrants and heroes,
murderers and mercenaries who have helped write
900 years of English history.
The fascinating history of Tonbridge Castle starts
with the famous battle of 1066, when William
of Normandy invaded neighbouring Sussex to
seize the crown from King Harold. A massive,
fortified stone castle eventually replaced the
original wooden structure. Within the remains of
the castle today, visitors can experience the sights
and sounds of medieval times, and explore nine
centuries of dramatic history. Tonbridge Castle
stands in 14 acres of spectacular grounds that are
open free of charge to the public
Penshurst Place and Gardens has been the home
of The Sidney family and their descendants for
more than 450 years. Penshurst’s most famous son,
Sir Philip Sidney, the chivalrous soldier poet, was
a symbol of loyalty and bravery in the Elizabethan
era and was born there in 1554. Upon his death
in 1586, so greatly was he admired, that he was
accorded the honour of a state funeral at St Paul’s
Cathedral. He was the first commoner to receive
such a tribute, not to be repeated until the death
of Lord Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill. The great
hall, with its vast arching roof has been described
as one of the world’s grandest rooms.
Cycling
The recent construction of Regional Cycle Route
12 between Tonbridge Castle and Penshurst Place
provides an excellent, almost entirely traffic-free
ride from the heart of Tonbridge alongside the
River Medway, out into the countryside as far as
the glorious buildings of Penshurst Place, some 5
miles to the west.
This wonderful cycle route takes you past playing
fields on the edge of Tonbridge and into Haysden
Country Park, running around the edge of Barden
Lake with its wide variety of birdlife. Shortly after
passing beneath the A21 you enter a delightful
secret kingdom of lush broadleaf woodland
carpeted with wildflowers in the spring and a
delight in autumn as the colours change.
The one noticeable climb of the day comes
between the bridge over the River Medway and
Well Place Farm giving you wide-ranging views of
the surrounding countryside and setting you up for
a fine descent past two lakes to arrive at Penshurst
Place, the finest and most complete example in
England of 14th-century domestic architecture.
Cyclists can also access the National Cycle Network
at Groombridge - Route 21, The Forest Way and
enjoy nine and a half miles of mostly traffic free
cycling to East Grinstead along a disused railway
line.
Serious off road fans can indulge at Penshurst off
Road Centre (PORC) where there are miles of trails
to enjoy, a road cycle race track and wonderful
views of the Kent Countryside. Cycle hire is
available on site.
There is no better way to explore
the delights of Kent than by bicycle
8
9
10
11
12
Why not let the train take the strain?
Recommended day trips include…
The Chalk and Channel Way on NCR 2 between
Folkestone and Dover
Coastal NCR 2 between Lower Leas Country Park,
Folkestone and Hythe
The Crab and Winkle Way from Canterbury to
Whitstable on NCR 1
Coastal NCR 1 between St Margaret’s at Cliffe and
Sandwich
Viking Coastal Trail between Margate and
Reculver on Regional Route 15
safe cycling
It’s important that your bike is in tip top condition and the
right size. Before you start your journey, pinch the tyres to
make sure they are not flat and test the brakes to make sure
they work.
Use cycle lanes and paths where possible and follow traffic
sign and traffic light instructions. Make sure you carry
lights/reflectors and dress brightly and appropriately. Cycle
helmets, water bottles and rucksacks are recommended.
Smart cyclists think ahead!
lOCAL INFORMATION
13
Royal Tunbridge Wells
www.visittunbridgewells.com
01892 515675
Tonbridge
www.tmbc.gov.uk
01732 770449
Traveline bus timetable
0871 200 22 33
Edenbridge - www.edenbridgetown.com
National Rail train timetable
08457 484950
Chiddingstone - www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Interactive mapping www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent, www.sustrans.org.uk
Ordnance Survey Explorer map numbers 147
covers this area. To order call 08458 247 600
Attractions
2
3
4
5
6
7
01732 865224
01892 870136
01892 870347
01892 861444
Royal Tonbridge Wells - www.visittunbridgewells.com
1
Bedgebury - Everden Cycle
www.everdencycles.co.uk
01892 832823
2
Bewl Water
www.cuckmere-cycle.co.uk
01892 891446
3
Penshurst Off Road Centre
www.porc-online.co.uk
01892 870136
4
Tonbridge - Cycle ops
www.cycle-ops.co.uk
01732 500533
5
Tonbridge - CyclesUK
www.cyclesuk.com
01732 365718
01892 890232
Cycle Repair
01580211702
01892 870307
01732 367449
Open air swimming from June to September
Angel Leisure Centre
www.angelcentre.co.uk
01732 866114
Cycle Hire
www.southeasternrailway.co.uk
Bedgebury Forest
www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury
Bewl Water
www.bewl.co.uk
Scotney Castle and Gardens
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/wscotneycastlegarden
Finchcocks
www.finchcocks.co.uk
Penshurst Place & Gardens
www.penshurstplace.com
Tonbridge Pool
01732 360630
Surrounding towns and villages
Nearest mainline train station
Tonbridge - 9 miles (14.4 km)
1
Rowing Boats
www.tonbridgewaterways.com
Hever Lakeside Theatre
www.heverlakeside.co.uk
Hever Castle
www.hevercastle.co.uk
Penshurst Off-Road Centre
www.porc-online.co.uk
Chiddingstone Castle
www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk
Groombridge Place
www.groombridge.co.uk
01732 359966
1
Hildenborough Cycle Centre
01732 832325
2
Evernden Cycles
01892 832823
3
Cycle-Ops
01732 500533
4
Wild Side Cycles
01892 527069
Accomodation
Hotels and Inns
The Langley Hotel 18-20 London Road
1
Tonbridge TN10 3DA
www.smoothound.co.uk/hotels/
langley
Rose & Crown Hotel 125 High Street
2
Tonbridge TN9 1DD
Premier Travel Inn Pembury Road
3
Tonbridge TN11 0NA
Ye Olde Chequers Inn High Street
4
Tonbridge TN9 1AS
Leicester Arms Hotel High Street
5
Penshurst Tonbridge TN11 8BT
www.leicesterarmspenshurst.co.uk
New Wellington Hotel 84 Mount
6
Ephraim Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4
8BU www.thenewwellingtonhotel.com
Royal Wells Inn Mount Ephraim Royal
7
Tunbridge Wells TN4 8BE
www.royalwells.co.uk
The Spa Hotel Mount Ephraim Royal
8
Tunbridge Wells TN4 8XJ
www.spahotel.co.uk
Royal Wells Inn Mount Ephraim Royal
9
Tunbridge Wells TN4 8BE
www.royalwells.co.uk
The Swan Hotel 58 The Pantiles Royal
10
Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TD
www.the-swan-hotel.com
Russell Hotel 80 London Road Royal
11
Tunbridge Wells TN1 1DZ
www.russell-hotel.com
Hotel du Vin & Bistro Crescent Road
12
Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LY
www.hotelduvin.com
Bed & Breakfast
Blundeston Eden Road
13
Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1TS
Ephraim Lodge The Common
14
Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4 8BX
Rosnaree 189 Upper Grosvenor Road
15
Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2EF
16
01732 353311
17
01732 357966
18
0870 9906552
19
01732 358957
20
01892 870551
21
01892 542911
22
01892 511188
23
01892 520331
24
25
01892 511188
01892 543319
01892 544833
26
27
28
29
01892 526455
30
31
01892 513030
01892 523053
01892 524017
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33
34
Bethany House 170 St. Johns Road
Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4 9UY
www.bethanyhousetwells.co.uk
40 York Road
Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1JY
Bankside 6 Scotts Way Royal Tunbridge
Wells TN2 5RG
www.banksidebedandbreakfasttunbridgewells.co.uk
Badgers End 47 Thirlmere Road Royal
Tunbridge Wells TN4 9SS
Clarken Guest House 61 Frant Road
Royal Tunbridge Wells TN2 5LH
Hawkenbury Farm Hawkenbury Road
Royal Tunbridge Wells TN3 9AD
191 Upper Grosvenor Road 191 Upper
Grosvenor Rd Royal Tunbridge Wells
TN1 2EF
Studley Cottage Bishops Down Park
Road Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4 8XX
Ash Tree Cottage 7 Eden Road Royal
Tunbridge Wells TN1 1TS
Hazelwood House Bishop’s Down Park
Road Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4 8XS
Hadleigh 69 Sandown Park Royal
Tunbridge Wells TN2 4RT
Alconbury Guest House 41 Molyneux
Park Road Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4
8DX www.palace4.co.uk
Blundesden Eden Road Royal Tunbridge
Wells TN1 1TS
Bentham Hill Stables Stockland Green
Road Royal Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TJ
The Beacon Tea Garden Lane Rusthall
Royal Tunbridge Wells TN3 9JH
www.the-beacon.co.uk
Swan Cottage 17 Warwick Road Royal
Tunbridge Wells TN1 1YL
Broadwater 24 Clarendon Way Royal
Tunbridge Wells TN2 5LD
Gates House 5 Lower Green Road
Pembury TN2 4DZ
30 Stacey Road Tonbridge TN10 3AR
01892 684363
01892 531342
01892 531776
01892 533176
01892 533397
01892 536977
01892 537305
01892 539854
01892 541317
01892 545924
01892 822760
01892 511279
01892 513030
01892 516602
01892 524252
01892 525910
01892 528161
01892 822866
01732 358027
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37
Nightingales London Road
Southborough TN4 0UJ
Danehurst House - B&B 41 Lower
Green Road Rusthall TN4 8TW
www.danehurst.net
Manor Court Farm - B&B and
Camping Ashurst Road
Ashurst TN3 9TB
www.manorcourtfarm.co.uk
01892 528443
01892 527739
01892 740279
Self Catering
Ford Cottage Accommodation
01892 531419
38
Linden Park Road Royal Tunbridge Wells
TN2 5QL www.fordcottage.co.uk
Kennett London Road Southborough
01892 533363
39
TN4 0UJ www.selfcaterkennett.co.uk
Book online
For more information on places to stay and to book your
accommodation online, visit www.visitkent.co.uk.
Essex
Greater
London
DARTFORD
dw
Me
R iver
11
Cycle repair
1
ISLE O F
SHEPPEY
T he S w al e
MARGATE
KENT DOWNS
1
Cycle hire
1
Train station
1
RAMSGATE
WHITSTABLE
SITTINGBOURNE
M20
Attraction
1
ay SHEERNESS
ROCHESTER
EXPLORER MAP 162
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1
1
EXPLORER MAP 163
GRAVESEND
1
1
CANTERBURY
EXPLORER MAP 149
National Cycle Route 18/21 sign
MAIDSTONE
SEVENOAKS
EXPLORER MAP 150
EXPLORER MAP 148
TONBRIDGE
Regional Cycle Route 12/93 sign
ROYAL
TUNBRIDGE
WELLS
ASHFORD
DOVER
8
EXPLORER MAP 137
Surrey
HIGH WEALD
FOLKESTONE
TENTERDEN
12
Garden
7
EXPLORER MAP 138
East Sussex
p
The Channel
EXPLORER MAP 136
NEW ROMNEY
0
Ordnance Survey Maps can be purchased
by calling 08458 247 600
EXPLORER MAP 125
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2.5
10
20 Kilometres
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1
10 Miles
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Forestry Commission access land
6 9 3 6
8
10
National Trust - always open
4 5
National Trust - limited access
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10 11 14 15
12
9
Parking
Nature reserve
A
5
11 5
Camp site
Tourist information
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P
Picnic site
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3
21
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4
13
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3
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2
2
93
0
Kilometres
Miles
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0.5
0.5
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. 100019238 2007
EXPLORER MAP 147
For further information or for more itineraries
like this one contact
Countryside Access Service
Kent County Council
Invicta House
Maidstone
Kent ME14 1XX
Tel: 08458 247 600
www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent
e-mail: explorekent@kent.gov.uk
This guide is available in other
formats and can be explained in other
languages. To obtain a copy please
call: 01622 221568. Textbox users, please
call 08458 247 905
Project Management: David Young - Sustrans. Design: A Stones Throw
Photos: David Sellman, David Young, Janina Holubecki, John Miller, Mark Mercer
Project part funded by the European Union
Environment & Waste Division
Project co-funded by the European Union