Cantii Way: Canterbury to Dover

I parked at Canterbury(East) station and cycled to Dover on the Cycling UK Cantii Way route, returning by train from Dover Priory station. 50 miles cycled in 9 hours.

It was a great day, with a cooling breeze providing relief from the heat. The route is Canterbury > NCN1 "Crab and Winkle Way" > Whitstable > Regional Cycle Route 15  "Oyster Bay Trail"  > Reculver > RR15 "Viking Trail" inland route > Cliffsend> RR15 > Sandwich > NCN1 >  Deal and Dover. 

It was quite a climb from Canterbury town to the University of Kent Campus (actually I followed the Cycling UK Cantii Way GPX, and this differs slightly from the official signed NCN route). Then I picked up the Crab and Winkle Way, which is mainly downhill on a good tarmac or gravel surface all the way to Whitstable, with its bustling harbour.

Old town walls, Canterbury

Route climbs through the University of Kent Campus

Kent Uni

Crab and Winkle Way

Entering Whitstable

Back alleys of Whitstable

Snack stop

Whitstable harbour

???

The route to Reculver, with its Roman/Saxon double towers, was mainly along the sea front 'promenade', which has a good wide concrete surface. You have to ride slowly and be patient to dodge the pedestrians in busy areas in the resorts (Tankerton, Hampton, Herne Bay), but crowds thin out on the way to Reculver.

Heading our of Whitstable

Approaching Hampton

Herne Bay

Reculver twin towers in the distance

RR15 climbs around the headland

RR15 descending to Reculver

I found the inland route from Reculver on roads through Minster to Cliffsend was rather dull compared to the coastal option following RR15 via Margate, which I know from other rides. It is also quite hilly, although it is obviously shorter and, being mainly on-road you can move faster than on the busy sea front. (The Cycling UK route includes an off road diversion just before Minster: I just stayed on the road.) From Cliffsend you start well with a good off road track skirting the Pegwell Bay nature reserve, but then follow a cycling pavement beside the busy A256 to Sandwich. 

Church at St Nicolas in Wade

RR15 Viking Trail inland

On RR15 on Brook Lane

RR15 next to Pegwell Bay reserve

Cycle pavement beside A256

Tea at Toll Bridge Inn, Sandwich

Sandwich toll gate

Path out of Sandwich

It was a relief to join NCN1 for the rest of the journey, starting with the quiet toll road across Sandwich golf course (it is free for bikes). Strictly, the official GPX diverts onto a bridleway for a short distance but this is very sandy and not worth leaving the road for. You emerge onto the Deal sea front road, and, beyond the pier, there is a good dedicated cycle path along the sea front lawns to Walmer and Kingsdown.

Sandwich golf course road toll house

Sandwich golf course toll road (no fee for cyclists)

Deal sea front

Deal Pier (no cycles allowed)

Deal

Deal beach

Deal street food festival

Path between Deal and Walmer

Walmer Castle

Wellington's boots in Walmer Castle (last home of the Iron Duke)

Zetland Arms, Kingsdown

I'm bored

Then you climb gently on a pleasant lane which is closed to through-traffic to St Margaret's at Cliffe, then ride along Upper Road, before branching off on a steep downhill path to the National Trust White Cliffs Visitor Center. (Cycling UK are negotiating with NT to open a traffic free track from South Foreland Lighthouse.) The final miles to Dover use the main road, which first descends to the bridge over the A2, then (sting in the tail) climbs to meet the A258, for a fast descent to the town and railway station. (There is also an option to descend on foot on steps from the NT exit direct to Dover sea front.)

NCN1 rises from Kingsdown to St Margaret's at Cliffe

South Foreland Lighthouse

Dover Castle

Rather awkward gate where NCN1 enters NT White Cliffs

NCN1 emerges at viewpoint over Dover Harbour

Dover Castle

You pass an entrance to Dover Castle off the A258

NB To explore the parts of the coast which cannot be reached on two wheels, see my companion walking blogs: Dover to Deal along the white cliffs, Deal to Sandwich along the beach.