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