he ‘Cathedral to Coast’ circular route links Canterbury, Dover and Folkestone by a signed T trail, checked for safety, that allows you to enjoy the full variety of Kent’s coast and countryside.
Spend a couple of days cycling along leafy lanes and bridleways, taking in the rolling hills, open views and contrasting countryside - seeing Kent at its very best.
Alternatively, join the route for a couple of hours using the local railway stations to combine bike and train travel. There are many pubs and eating places and tourist attractions to visit along the way.
The route is 21 miles from Canterbury to Dover, 12 miles from Dover to Folkestone and 17 miles from Folkestone to Canterbury, 50 miles/80 km in total with recommended starting places in Canterbury and Dover or Folkestone’s Channel Tunnel Cycle Shuttle Service. The signing enables the cyclist to join the trail at any point, including the nearby railway stations.
From Canterbury to Dover (Route 16), follow the North Downs Way to Patrixbourne and cycle on through the villages of Adisham, Aylesham and Whitfield to Guston. You will approach Dover with a magnificent view of the castle standing dramatically on the hill overlooking the town.
From Canterbury to Folkestone Route 17 branches off at Patrixbourne, through Bridge, to follow quiet valley roads past Lynsore Bottom to Elham, and down to Newington, to connect with Le Shuttle cycle service.
From Paddlwsworth, a link to Dover is signed via Hawkinge and West Hougham on quiet country roads, to connect with Route 16 in Dover town centre at Market Square.
The route is signed in both directions and used in conjunction with the map in this leaflet will enable you to enjoy your cycling. To explore more of this area it is advisable to use a more detailed map, such as the Ordnance Survey Landranger map 179 Canterbury & East Kent area 1:50 000 ISBN 0- 319-22179-2.
ATTRACTIONS ON ROUTE
BARFRESTONE St Nicholas Church Small Norman Church dating from the 11-12th Century. The church bell hangs from a yew tree! Considered to be one of the best complete Norman churches in the Country.
BEKESBOURNE Howletts Wild Animal Park 01227 721286 World’s largest collection of gorillas and tigers plus many rate endangered species, set in 70 beautiful acres.
CANTERBURY Canterbury Cathedral 01227 762862 Beautiful cathedral, medieval stained glass, sites or martyrdom and shrine of Thomas Becket.
Canterbury Guild of Guides 01227 459779 Discover the city on a walk with an official city guide.
Canterbury Museums 01227 452747 Discover the history of Canterbury in the City’s many fascinating museums, including the new Roman Museum.
The Canterbury Tales 01227 454888 Experience the sights, sounds and smells of 14th century Canterbury as you re-live the pilgrims’ journey from London to Canterbury Cathedral.
St Augustine’s Abbey 01227 767345 Remains of Benedictine abbey, founded in 598 by St Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury. 1997 marks the 1400th anniversary of the arrival of St Augustine. New museum opens 26 May 1997.
DOVER Bleriot Memorial Marks the spot where on 25 July 1909 Louis Bleriot landed after the first aircraft flight across the Channel.
Dover Castle & The Secret Wartime Tunnels 01304 201628 Impressive medieval fortress, located on the white cliffs overlooking the sea. The secret World War II tunnels underneath the castle are open to the public with 45 minute tours.
Dover Museum 01304 201066 Discover the growth of Dover from pre-historic to recent times through the many up-to-date designs, real objects and models. See the Bronze Age Boat recovered after lying in Dover mud for 3500 years.
Grand Shaft 01304 201200 A 140ft triple spiral Napoleonic staircase cut into the white cliffs - part of the Western Heights Napoleonic fortifications.
Langdon Cliffs (National Trust) An abundance of colourful grassland flowers, herbs, insects together with a variety of shrubs. The cliffs are an important nesting site for birds. Spectacular Channel views across the straits of Dover to France.
Old Town Gaol 01304 242766 Fully restored Victorian Gaol and courtroom.
South Foreland Lighthouse 01304 202756 Climb the tower of this Victorian lighthouse, see many of its original fixtures and fittings, a distinctive landmark used by Marconi for the first radio communications.
The White Cliffs Experience 01304 210101 Award-winning attraction on the history of Dover, from Roman times to World War II.
ELHAM Parsonage Farm Rural Heritage Centre 01303 840766 Working farm with traditional and rare breeds.
Elham Valley Vineyard 01227 831266 Commercial vineyard producing quality white wines. Seasonal opening.
FOLKESTONE Metropole Art Centre 01303 255070 Martello Towers Visitor Centre 01303 242113 Leas Cliff Lift 01303 251573 Rotunda Amusement Park 01303 245245
GOODNESTONE Goodnestone Park Gardens 01304 840107 Large garden including woodland and walled garden areas. The imposing residence dates from 1700 and has connections with Jane Austen.
HAWKINGE Kent Battle of Britain Museum 01303 893140 World’s largest collection of 1940 related material. Seasonal opening.
STAPLE Staple Vineyards 01304 812571 Self-guided tours, including wine tasting. Wines on sale at vineyard shop.
SWINGFIELD Macfarlanes Butterfly Centre 01303 844244 Butterfly Farm in tropical greenhouse gardens. Seasonal opening.
PEENE Elham Valley Railway Exhibition 01303 273690 Elham Valley Railway line. Which closed in 1947. Seasonal Weekends only.
Cycle friendly ACCOMMODATION For accommodation in Canterbury, Dover and Folkestone, please contact the relevant Tourist Information Centres: Canterbury Tel: 01227 766567 Fax: 01227 763727 Dover Tel: 01304 205108 Fax: 01304 205108 Folkestone: Tel: 01303 258594 Fax: 01303 259754 B&B ACCOMMODATION Adisham Moors Head Hotel 01304 840935 Bridge Bridge Country Hotel 01227 830808 Walnut Tree Farm 01227 709375 Coldred Coldred Court Farm 01304 830816 Elham Abbot’s Fireside 01303 840265 Hillbrook House 01303 840220 The New Inn 01303 840288 Woodside Cottage 01304 203184 Ladwood Cottages 01303 891328 Newington/Hawkinge Beachborough Park 01303 275432 The Garden Lodge 01303 893147 Shepherdswell Sunshine Cottage 01304 831359 Stelling Minnis Bower Farm House 01227 709430 Great Field Farm 01227 709223 Whitfield Posthouse Dover 01304 821222 West Hougham Rose Hill Farm 01304 240609 The Old Vicarage 01304 210668 YOUTH HOSTELS Canterbury 54 New Dover Road 01227 462911 Dover 306 London Road 01304 201314 CAMPING Canterbury Bekesbourne La (CS) 01227 463216 Shepherdswell Springfield (CL) 01304 830454 Whitfield Newsole Cottage (CL) 01304 820356 Longfield Farm (CL) 01304 820234 Rosemount (CL) 01304 821588 Folkestone The Warren (CS) 01303 255093
(CS) Club Site (CL) Certified Location
D Der Fahrradrundweg “Von der Kathedrale zur Küste” verbindet Canterbury, Dover und Folkestone durch eine ausgeschilderte Route, die es dem Radfahrer ermöglicht, die ganze Vielfalt der kentisechen Landschaft an der Küste und in der Countryside zue geineßen.
Die Route ist insgesamt 80 km (50 Meilen) lang. Die Beschilderung macht es dem Radfaher leicht, die Route überall zue beginnen, auch an den nahegelegenen Bahnhöfen. Die Markierung verläuft in beide Richtungen. Eine detailliertere Karte wird aber all denen empfohlen, die mehr von der Gegend entdecken wollen.
Die Route 16 von Dover nach Canterbury (34 km) folgt den ruhigen Straßen von Dover nach Guston und dann weiter durch Adisham und Patrixbourne, den North Downs bis nach Canterbury folgend.
Die Route 17 von Canterbury nac Folkestone (27 km) zweigt in Patrixbourne ab und führt durch Bridge, ruhigen Talstraßen folgend Komma, nach Elham und dann hinunter nach Peene. Von Paddlesworth ist eine Verbindungsstrecke nach Dover über Hawkinge und West Hougham auf wenig befahrenen Landstraßen ausgeschildert. Sie stößt in Dover auf die Route 16.
F Le parcours circulaire “de la Cathédrale à la côte” relie Canterbury, Douvres et Folkestone par un chemin balisé permettant au cycliste du profiter de l’entière variété de la côte du Kent et de sa campagne.
Dans sa totalité, le parcours est de 50 miles/80 km. Des panneaux directionnels permettent au cycliste de joindre la piste à n’importe quel point, y compris les gares les plus proches. Afin d’explorer cette région plus profondément, il est recommandé d’utlister une carte plus détaillée.
L’itinéraire 16 (34 km) allant de Douvres à Canterbury suit les routes paisibles de Douvres à Guston, puis continue à travers Adisham et Patrixbourne en suivant le North Downs jusqu’à Canterbury.
L’itinéraire 17 (27 km) de Canterbury à Folkestone bifurque à Patrexbourne et passe par Bridge pour suivre les calmes routes de la vallée jusqu’à Elham et descendre vers Peene. De Paddlesworth, une liaison pour Douvres est indiquée via Hawkinge et West Hougham sur des routes tranquilles, afin de rejoindre le parcours 16 à Douvres.
NL De fietstocht “Kathedraal naar Kust”, verbindt Canterbury, Dover en Folkestone door moddel van een bewegwijzerde route die u dawrs door het gevariëerde landschap in de kuststreek en het achterliggende platteland van het Graafschap Kent voert.
De totale lengte van de route bedraagt 80 km ofwel 50 mijl. Door de bewegwijzering is het mogelijk om op elk gewenst punt of station te starten. Als u meer van dit glebied wilt ontdekken is het aan te raden van een gedetailleerdere kaart gebruik te maken.
Route 16 (34 km) van Dover naar Canterbury voert over de stille weggetjes richting Guston, door Adisham en Patrixbourne en via de “North Downs Way” naar Canterbury.
Route 17 (27 km) van Canterbury naar Folkestone coert u door de jorpjes Patrixbourne en Bridge en door de Elham Valley naar Peene. Vanaf Paddlesworth leiden de borden u naar Dover via Hawkinge en West Hougham over rusticke landweggetjes. In Dover vindt u wederom de aansluiting met route 16.