Stay in and explore legendary castles built by the Romans and Henry VIII on this gentle cycling trip, This is a remarkable ride through history covering seashore defenses at the Cinque Ports of Deal and Walmer, the forts of ancient coasts, Canterbury's Saxon castle and pilgrim roots with a stay in moated and grand, Leeds Castle as a finale to the tour.
Freewheeling through orchards and across downs, you enjoy leafy back lanes, the fun of fords and grand views. Discover Kent's clapper board villages, seaside cycling, oysters in Whitstable, the medieval gem of Sandwich and several stunning gardens. This is also a land awash with local produce - beers and seafood, soft fruit and vineyards all of which you will have plenty of time to enjoy!
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
-
from £1,535 per person
- Luxury
-
from £2,895 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Entry to Leeds castle and grounds on days 6 and 7, dinner at Reads on the luxury tour. See what’s included as standard
Duration
6 nights
Start & Finish
Starts Sundays in Canterbury finishes Leeds Castle. Canterbury station is on the mainline from London, Leeds Castle is close to Maidstone and not far from Ashford stations
Hotels
- Classic
-
Three small hotels, an inn and a stay within Leeds Castle grounds
- Luxury
-
Two 4 star hotels, a very special boutique hotel, a restaurant with rooms and a stay within Leeds Castle grounds
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle cycling (4) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
5 days of cycling 14-22 miles (22-35 km) classic and 14- 28 miles luxury (22-45 km) per day
Terrain
A few gentle slopes most days
Traffic-free
10%. Mostly country lanes with low traffic
Options
- Add an extra day with a driver guide to Hever Castle and Sissinghurst Castle gardens
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
-
1. Day one
Arrive in Canterbury
Arrive in Canterbury and check into your hotel in the heart of the city. There's so much to explore in this astounding heritage city with its Norman castle, magnificent cathedral, and many other historic buildings. Collect your bicycles for our base nearby so if you wish, you can enjoy the main sights by taking our city centre bike tour.
3 miles (5 km)
-
2. Day two
Canterbury to Sandwich
Your host will meet you after breakfast to run through your itinerary before you pedal way to the coast. Your route takes you through orchards and a flattish landscape of clapper board villages to reach the ruined Saxon shore castle of Richborough Fort. Being of Roman construction is has huge walls and an amphitheatre. Close by is the characterful old port of Sandwich where you spend two nights. Explore the fascinating history of this Cinque port town, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Britain.
17 miles (27 km)
-
3. Day three
Sandwich to Deal and back
This circular route gives you the opportunity of discovering two castles built by Henry VIII at the Cinque port towns of Deal and Walmer. The fascinating town of Deal with its pier and charm also has one of the finest Tudor castles in England. Cycle on adjacent to the shore to explore Walmer castle with its huge award winning gardens. Head back to Sandwich on a route through the dunes, quite different to your outward ride through tiny hamlets and along the old cycle path taken by the miners on their way to the former coal pits.
14 miles (22 km)
-
4. Day four
Sandwich to Chartham Hatch
Flattish rural riding to start gives you wonderful views, woodland and the odd village. Take in a stop at a vineyard for a tasting and swan around the quite beautiful gardens of Goodestone Park with its cafe and quirky village inn. As you approach the Kent Downs and a few hills, the scene changes, ever rural and charming until you reach the banks of the Great Stour and your hotel for the night.
22 miles (35 km)
-
5. Day five
Chartham Hatch to Faversham
You skirt around Canterbury, along the river briefly to pick up the Crab and Winkle Way and freewheel down to the coast, following the cart route which delivered seafood to London from Whitstable on a daily basis. Here you can spoil yourself with local oysters, eat chips on the beach, enjoy the town's arty vibe and quench your inevitable thirst with a cuppa in the gardens of 18th Century Whitstable Castle. It's flat pedalling then to reach marvellous Faversham with its barge lined creek, 300 listed buildings and maritime history - but no castle! .
20 miles (32 km)
-
6. Day six
Faversham to Leeds Castle
This last day is another different scene with a very gradual and beautiful ride into the Downs along forgotten back lanes. Villages are well spaced amongst the orchards but there are some cracking pubs with The Ringlestone Inn a triumph. Tear yourself from lunch for a refreshing freewheel down to Leeds Castle where you spend your last magnificent night in the stable courtyard. Explore the castle and after the crowds have left, enjoy the grounds and a knight's dinner.
18 miles (28 km)
-
7. Day seven
Depart Leeds Castle
After breakfast, enjoy this stunning castle, its fascinating history and magnificent grounds. We hope as you depart you will feel castel-(e)lated. Do let us know!
Luxury
-
1. Day one
Arrive in Canterbury
Arrive in Canterbury and check into your hotel in the heart of the city. There's so much to explore in this astounding heritage city with its Norman castle, magnificent cathedral, and many other historic buildings. Collect your bicycles for our base nearby so if you wish, you can enjoy the main sights by taking our city centre bike tour.
3 miles (5 km)
-
2. Day two
Canterbury to Sandwich
Your host will meet you after breakfast to run through your itinerary before you pedal way to the coast. Your route takes you through orchards and a flattish landscape of clapper board villages to reach the ruined Saxon shore castle of Richborough Fort. Being of Roman construction is has huge walls and an amphitheatre. Close by is the characterful old port of Sandwich where you spend two nights. Explore the fascinating history of this Cinque port town, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Britain.
17 miles (27 km)
-
3. Day three
Sandwich to Deal and back
This circular route gives you the opportunity of discovering two castles built by Henry VIII at the Cinque port towns of Deal and Walmer. The fascinating town of Deal with its pier and charm also has one of the finest Tudor castles in England. Cycle on adjacent to the shore to explore Walmer castle with its huge award winning gardens. Head back to Sandwich on a route through the dunes, quite different to your outward ride through tiny hamlets and along the old cycle path taken by the miners on their way to the former coal pits.
14 miles (22 km)
-
4. Day four
Sandwich to Bridge
Flattish rural riding to start gives you wonderful views, woodland and the odd village. Take in a stop at a vineyard for a tasting and swan around the quite beautiful gardens of Goodestone Park with its cafe and quirky village inn. As you approach the Kent Downs and a few hills, the scene changes, ever rural and charming until you arrive at your wonderful manor house hotel for the night. Arrive in good time to fully enjoy this marvellous place.
14 miles (22 km)
-
5. Day five
Bridge to Faversham
A few slopes at the start of the day before you skirt around Canterbury, along the river briefly to pick up the Crab and Winkle Way and freewheel down to the coast, following the cart route which delivered seafood to London from Whitstable on a daily basis. Here you can spoil yourself with local oysters, eat chips on the beach, enjoy the town's arty vibe and quench your inevitable thirst with a cuppa in the gardens of 18th Century Whitstable Castle. It's flat pedalling then to reach marvellous Faversham with its barge lined creek, 300 listed buildings and maritime history - but no castle! .
28 miles (45 km)
-
6. Day six
Faversham to Leeds Castle
This last day is another different scene with a very gradual and beautiful ride into the Downs along forgotten back lanes. Villages are well spaced amongst the orchards but there are some cracking pubs with The Ringlestone Inn a triumph. Tear yourself from lunch for a refreshing freewheel down to Leeds Castle where you spend your last magnificent night in the stable courtyard. Explore the castle and after the crowds have left, enjoy the grounds and a knight's dinner.
18 miles (28 km)
-
7. Day seven
Depart Leeds Castle
After breakfast, enjoy this stunning castle, its fascinating history and magnificent grounds. We hope as you depart you will feel castel-(e)lated. Do let us know!