Whitstable to Canterbury
- Start point: Whitstable railway station (south side)
- Start time: 11:00, Saturday 11th June 2011
- Distance: 7 miles
- Ride leader: Ian Rogers (01227 749598, whitstable-ride@bigwheelofkent.org.uk)
Getting to the start point
The start point is Whitstable Railway Station car park. This provides easy access by train from stations between London (Victoria or St. Pancras) and Faversham, and from Thanet.
If you are travelling by car you should approach Whitstable from the A299 (the new Thanet Way) and B2025 down Borstal Hill. Turn right at the traffic lights and at the mini-roundabout go left to the station car park.
The ride
This ride follows the Crab and Winkle Way to Canterbury partly along the route of the historic Crab and Winkle railway line. This was the very first passenger railway line ever built. It first ran in May 1830 and SPOKES and the Crab and Winkle Trust (http://www.crabandwinkle.org/) celebrated its 181th birthday on May 2nd. This is an annual event so check for details of the next celebration ride at the SPOKES web site at http://www.spokeseastkent.org.uk/events.php
The ride is suitable for all ages. It follows the Sustrans National Cycle Route 1 to Canterbury. The surface of the off-road sections is compacted grit and suitable for most sorts of bicycle.
The route quickly picks up the old railway line for a gentle climb out of Whitstable. After leaving Whitstable it soon enters Clowes Wood where it picks up the railway route again up to the Winding Pond. This is the site of the original stationary engine that pulled the train up the hill from Whitstable. Engines on wheels such the Invicta only came later. From the Winding Pond the route continues through Clowes Wood and farmland to Blean Church. The route into Canterbury passes the University of Kent, Kent College and St Edmund’s School, skirts past Neil’s Place with superb views of the City, and down into the St Dunstan’s part of Canterbury. The route to Dane John Gardens crosses the River Stour at Toddler’s Cove and approaches via Canterbury’s Norman castle.
Getting back to the start point
The easiest way back to Whitstable is to cycle back along the same route.
The alternative is to travel by train from Canterbury East Station to Whitstable, changing train at Faversham. On Sundays trains run at one minute past the hour and take 34 minutes including the change at Faversham.
