England

Bike trip in the south east of England

Along the coast in Kent

Wrote 135 articles and follows him / her 16 travelers
(1 rating)
Bike trip in the south east of England
Inserted: 19.08.2019
© gigaplaces.com
Suitable for:
Families with children
Seniors
Sportsman
Excursionist
They been there:
They want there:

If you are looking for a place to go on a bike trip near London and enjoy the beautiful views with a minimum of people, then the eastern tip of Kent along the coast is the right choice. We chose the town of Whistable as a starting point and continued along the sea shore along the bike path to the cute village of Broadstairs. On the way, we looked forward to a tour of the ruins of the Reculver towers, which are freely accessible. Along the way, we enjoyed views of the open sea, bays and beaches with white cliffs.

Road on the east coast, Kent

We arrived from London by train from Southeastern, where you can take your bikes, so they don't have much to decide where to place them on the train. The trains are low-floor and there is a total space in the boarding area for two wheels. From central London (Victoria station), Whitstable is an hour's walk away. The journey itself is an experience, because you drive past pastures, fields, cities with towering churches and castles.

Road on the east coast, Kent
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Whitstable

The town of Whitstable is at the beginning of a long peninsula tip, and it is from here that a cycle path begins to run along the sea shore around this tip of England. Thanks to its location at sea level, you won't get too excited, don't expect large hills here. The only thing that can make the route more difficult is the headwind. In almost every town, there are small houses built by the beach, where they keep beach furniture and other necessities for water fun. The houses are painted in different colors and thus form a feast for the eyes of cyclists.

Whitstable
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Herne Bay

Another town on the route is Herne Bay. Here, too, you will find an endless number of colorful beach houses. In the center by the beach, there must be fairground attractions, which are an integral summer fun.

Herne Bay
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

City clock tower

If you have the taste and time, such a small stop and a tour of the towns on the coast, through which the bike path passes, is also worth it. They are an oasis of typical British seaside life in a calm rhythm and it depends on their size, whether you are looking for a little more fun or just peace and quiet by the sea. Cultural monuments at every turn are a matter of course in England, such as the Herne Bay City Clock Tower, which rises unmistakably on the promenade.

City clock tower
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

View of the ruins of the Reculver Tower

After the town of Herne Bay, after a while, the path climbs from the sea to the top of the cliffs, which will lead you to the ruins. From the top of the cliffs there are beautiful views of the majestic two towers of the former church.

View of the ruins of the Reculver Tower
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Reculver Towers

The ruins of the two towers of the medieval church and the remains of the adjacent Romanesque fortress, that was our highlight of the trip. Originally there was a Romanesque fortress, which served as a navigation point for maritime transport. Massive stone towers were built in the 12th century. The whole area is open and freely accessible to all visitors, which is not very common in England.

Reculver Towers
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Ruins of two towers

In 1805, most of the church was dismantled to build a new one in a nearby town. However, the facade and two church spiers were left. You can walk along the floor plan of the original nave and enjoy a picnic with this majestic view.

Ruins of two towers
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

View of the ongoing cycle path

With the towers at your back from the cliff you are on, there is a beautiful view of the continuation of the bike path that awaits us. The path continues along the sea, through a wetland with natural lakes.

View of the ongoing cycle path
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Reculver Lake District

Furthermore, the path leads between natural lakes and reeds on concrete bridges, so a comfortable route and beautiful views guaranteed.

Reculver Lake District
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Epple bay

We reach the next town of Birchington-on-Sea, where the road climbs again to the chalk cliffs, from where we have a beautiful view of the azure bay of Epple bay.

Epple bay
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Margate

The larger city of Margate follows a few miles away. We drive through the city center with the main beach, because there are a lot of people who came on the summer weekend to enjoy the sea and we prefer to continue. The path leads along the promenade between the sea shore and a number of colorful houses. Sometimes signs force us to get off the bike and lead it a bit so that fast traffic does not disturb the sunbathing residents.

Margate
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Cretaceous rocks in Margate

Cretaceous white rocky cliffs can be found along the south coast of England. Somewhere they are rising tens of meters above sea level, and somewhere they form lower scenery, like here in Margate, where a cycle path led around them. However, it is always a feast for the eyes, especially when the weather comes out and the sun colors everything.

Cretaceous rocks in Margate
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

City beach in Cliftoville

Along the route there are countless beaches and coves where you can get wet during the summer days. The more well-arranged ones are in or near cities. The Coast Guard and the flagging, whether or not it is appropriate to bathe, is no exception. You will also find basic facilities such as toilets, changing rooms and seafood shops, which are a must in England by the sea.

City beach in Cliftoville
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Palm bay

A hidden beach between white cliffs in Palm bay just outside Margate. Windbreaks have very common beach equipment, rather than parasols.

Palm bay
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Neptune's tower

Another historical monument on our route was Neptune's Tower. This stone fortress on the very edge of the cliff was built in 1720 as an extended observatory near the castle, which unfortunately has not been preserved. Thanks to its strategic location, it was used even during the Second World War.

Neptune's tower
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Viking Bay at Broadstairs

Our final stop was the village of Broadstairs, from where the train took us back to London. It would be possible to continue to the adjacent town of Ramsgate, where the bike path itself ends, but it was enough for one day and the wind was blowing at the tip of the peninsula, which was blowing in the back all the time. The city beach in Viking Bay was full of life even on a late Saturday afternoon. The surrounding stalls with ice cream and seafood delicacies did not let the locals leave without tasting.

Viking Bay at Broadstairs
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com
Venica Broadstairs
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Venica Broadstairs

The Broadstairs, located at the very tip of the mainland promontory, is built on the side of a cliff. Its picturesqueness reminded us of the Hobbit. Everything fit together and millimeters, the place was not really wasted and yet you will find everything you can and cannot imagine. For example, the miniature cinema building really entertained us.

Applaud the author of the article!
Share it on:

Articles nearby

Distance 32 km
A tour of Dover

A tour of Dover

Distance 81 km
Trips around London

Trips around London

Distance 81 km
Christmas London

Christmas London

Distance 81 km
London parks

London parks

Distance 81 km
Walk along the Thames

Walk along the Thames

Distance 81 km
Walk for shopping and city tour

Walk for shopping and city tour

Practical information

Part of itienary

Article: Trips around London

There are plenty of places to get around London and discover new places when you already have a city going through a cross or… continue reading

Trips around London
Part of gigalist

Giga List: The most beautiful trips from London

London, as one of the largest cities in Europe, offers a large number of interesting places and sights. In addition, it is… continue reading

The most beautiful trips from London
Thanks!

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

Already rated by 1 traveler

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

You must be logged in to post a review or

Dominika Šmejkalová
19.08.2019 11:21
fine