Summary
Starting from Whitstable this ride takes the esplanade (christened the Oyster Bay Trail) to Reculver, where you join the Viking Coastal Trail at the ancient ruins at Reculver, then runs along the coast through the resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, interspersed with surprisingly attractive sandy bays, finally reaching the time-capsule town of Sandwich, which has one of the greatest concentrations of historic domestic buildings in the country. From here the route follows NCN1, starting with the toll road (free for cycles) to Deal, from where the coast of France will be visible on a clear day. There is then quite a stiff climb to St Margaret's at Cliffe, followed by a ride across the plateau above the White Cliffs and the compensating descent to Dover. The proximity to the sea throughout makes this ride a breath of fresh air. (For the next section, Dover to Rye, see here.) (For more 'Cycling from Guildford' routes see here.)
Travel: By train, St Pancras serves both Whitstable and Dover (both about 1 hour 20 minutes by the fastest services).
By car, you could park at Whitstable station, and return there by train via Faversham (or alternatively park at Faversham station).
Map:
GPX: You can download the Google map info, as a KML/KMZ file, then convert to GPX using a site like GPS Visualiser, or get the route from the cycle.travel website. You download and use any such data entirely at your own risk.
Distance: 50 miles
Surface: The Oyster Bay Trail along the sea front from Whitstable is mainly on the concrete esplanade and sea wall. The Viking Trail is mainly traffic free or low-traffic and has a reasonable surface (but take care on the descent through the Country Park to Reculver.). The first few miles from Reculver follow the concrete sea wall. In the resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate the trail follows the existing esplanades, and there are short stretches where notices tell you to dismount in high season. At Pegwell Bay there is a good dirt track through the Country Park, then a good cycle track beside the busy A256 to Sandwich. From there it is a good surface all the way to Dover, apart from a short rough decent if you divert to visit the NT White Cliffs Visitor Centre, and, an optional dismount descent on steps into Dover. There is a short climb out of Ramsgate, and a much longer one from Kingsdown to St Margaret's at Cliffe. A hybrid bike is probably best.
Route Variations: The new Cycling UK Cantii Way includes this route, and provides an extension to/from Canterbury via the Crab and Winkle trail, and an inland 'shortcut' from Reculver to Pegwell Bay (although I think this misses the coastal ride which is the USP of this route- see my blog here.
Directions (see map):
From Whitstable station, make your way down to the bustling Harbour, where it is worth lingering to watch the activity on the quayside, and maybe visit one of the many stalls and restaurants. Pick up the coastal promenade (signed as the Oyster Bay Trail). You will need to slow down in busy areas, especially in front of beach huts. You pass through Tankerton, Hampton and Herne, after which things quieten down and you climb up to and through the Reculver Country Park, where there is a grassy descent to the ruined towers and Roman Fort at Reculver village. (The descending track has been underpinned by a plastic grid: Although this might help stop erosion, it makes for a rather slippery surface, so take care.)
From here to Margate it's difficult to go wrong, provided you watch for 'Viking Coastal Trail' signs when you hit the towns. Follow the sea wall path to the outskirts of Birchington at Minnis Bay. From here the route stays on the sea wall beneath the cliffs and promenades round the various bays (Grenham, Epple, Westgate etc) in pleasing proximity to sea and sand till reaching the wide sandy sweep of Margate sea front, and arriving at the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery. The official route continues beneath the cliff on the 'rendezvous' esplanade before climbing to follow a traffic free path along the cliff top (or, at low tide, you can stick on the promenade beneath the cliff until emerging onto the cliff at Foreness Point, although this will involve crossing a short stretch of the sandy beach at Palm Bay.) At Kingsgate Bay, join the B2052 for a short stretch (where Kingsgate castle is a prominent landmark). Just past Joss Bay, it’s worth staying on the main road for a short diversion to North Foreland lighthouse, then return to take Crescent Road which turns into Cliff Promenade. After returning to the B road, take Park Road and follow the route signs down into Broadstairs, passing Dicken's Bleak House on the way. Here you must either take to the road along the sea front, or get off and push down the promenade.
The route from Broadstairs to Ramsgate follows roads and a pleasant stretch through the Memorial Park, emerging from Victoria Parade onto the B2054. Then turn sharp right into Marine Road which hairpins into Marine Esplanade to arrive at Ramsgate Harbour.
Climb the hill out of Ramsgate on the roadside cycle track and cycle on a wide promenade through the pleasant park above West Cliff, with good views over Pegwell Bay. Follow route signs over the Pegwell Tunnel and the A299, then a good track over Chalk Hill which takes you down to the cycle track beside the A256 into Cliffs end. On the left is the replica Viking Ship at the edge of Pegwell Bay. The official Viking Trail bears right in Cliffs End to return to Reculver, but our route joins National Cycle Network Route 1 (NCN1) to pass through the pleasant Pegwell Bay Country Park then continuing on the A256-side cycle track.
At a roundabout, you can either take Ramsgate Road direct to Sandwich, or follow the A256 past the former Pfizer research complex and take the road into Sandwich at the next roundabout. Either way, you end up crossing the Ramsgate Road bridge into Sandwich. The route lies immediately left over the Bridge, but you might like to take time to explore this fascinating town. Otherwise, follow NCN1 signs through the waterside park to join Sandown Road. Soon you pass a toll booth, which as a cyclist you can ignore, and continue across the golf links to Deal (there is an off -road bridleway, but it's very sandy: just stick to the road.)
The route goes all the way down the sea frontage of Deal past Walmer Castle to Kingsdown. From here on, you should get good views of the French Coast on a clear day. Here you leave the coast and make your way up Undercliff Road and Oldstairs Road and climb steadily (phew!) to West Cliffe. Then, take signs down Upper Road which traverses the 'plateau' above the White Cliffs, passing prominent transmitters to your right. On Fix Hill Down, just before the road begins the steep descent to Dover, the official cycle route is signed down a path which cuts the bend, and takes you past the view point over Dover Harbour and the NT Visitor Centre (although if you're knackered by this stage, just stay on the road). From here it’s more or less downhill all the way on Upper Road, passing round Dover Castle and entering Dover on the A258.
Note there is also a traffic free route from the NT Visitor Centre - see my Google map. It follows a steep path down to join Marine Parade along the sea front then into the town by the Yacht Club. The path down is very steep and has steps in places, and you really have to walk down much of the way. But it gives good views over the Port.
Refreshments: There is no shortage of food stalls, cafes, pubs etc in the many seaside towns. Sandwich is well worth looking round and has many eateries (pause for sandwich puns), and Deal has a foodie reputation (pause for meal-Deal puns). The Zetland Arms at Kingsdown is a good place for refreshment prior to embarking on the long climb over to Dover, and there is a cafe at the NT White Cliffs Visitor Centre.
Attractions: The sea views and seaside vibe. Whitstable Harbour. Reculver Roman Fort and towers. Turner Gallery, Margate. North Foreland lighthouse. Broadstairs (nice family resort and beach). Sandwich historic town. Deal (which has survived the worst of 'resortification'.) Walmer Castle (last home of the Duke of Wellington). NT White Cliffs views over Dover Harbour.
Finding your way: As with any ambitious cycle ride in the UK, it's best to download the route and follow it on a GPS or smartphone app. The route is also designated and signed as Regional Route 15 as far as Sandwich, then NCN1.
Photos
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Lots of seaside riding
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