Total length: 36miles (57km) Total length: 28miles (45km) The Medway estuary, 07 Shorne Village to Cobham 10 Cobham to Great Buckland Farm The route now heads towards Cobham Leaving Cobham the route leaves Half towns and downs along Tanyard Hill, Woodlands Lane and on to Pence Lane and turns right on to Bats Road, runs Brewars Road. Passing Shorne Woods Country between farmland and crosses the bridge of the recreational cycling Park with its offer of parking and facilities, the train line. Bats road continues until it joins Henley route passes over the A2 and passes Cobham Street where it drops down to the Golden Lion route Hall and its parkland grounds. The Half Pence public house. The route follows Lockyers Hill / Lane takes you into the village of Cobham with Buckland Road passes through woodland between This recreational cycle route is designed its small shop and three pubs. There is parking at Great Buckland Farm and Luxon Farm. to encourage people to experience the village hall. © Wayne Huzzey and enjoy the area’s breathtaking views. DID YOU KNOW? Using quiet lanes, cycle paths and 08 Cobham to Cuxton and Route 1: North Medway and rural Gravesend Rochester Bridge Research shows adults Route 2: Medway’s towns and downs bridleways, the route offers cyclists great who cycle regularly have The main area covered by this route is the Hoo Peninsula, which lies (Alternative route back 1) This route provides an opportunity to experience the diversity of Medway views across the River Medway, its estuary ? fitness levels of someone between the Medway and Thames Estuaries. The landscape here is Dropping down the Cobhambury Road, the route - its urban heartlands, countryside, farmland, orchards and woods. and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding dominated by rich and productive agricultural land, offering extensive gives great views of the Kent Downs. Turning up to 10 years younger. Passing through historic Rochester, this tour moves on to Chatham, Natural Beauty. views across the estuaries and their habitats. left on to Warren Road you pass through Lower Bush and into Cuxton with its village shops and home of the Historic Dockyard where HMS Victory was built in the 1700’s. The towns, downs and estuaries The fresh water grazing marshes are internationally important for The route maximises urban cycle routes allowing you to travel from train station. The route climbs Sunbridge Hill (using 11 Great Buckland Farm to recreational cycle tour is easily accessed wintering birds. Three reserves sit within this area – Shorne Woods, Pilgrims Way) and goes over the M2. Here the route Birling Hill Chatham to Gillingham and The Strand with its stunning views across the from Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Ranscombe Farm and Northwood Hill (one of the first nature reserves continues into Medway Gate and re-emerges on You are now on the Leywood Road, which will take River Medway. The ride then opens out towards the North Downs offering Gillingham, Rainham and the rural villages. created by the RSPB). Cuxton Road and down to Darnley Road. Heading you on through more woodlands until you meet the vistas of the rolling Kent countryside. for the High Street (A2) the route takes you back to White Horse Road. Cycling between woodlands the For the more experienced cyclist, each Leaving the peninsular, the route follows the tow path of the disused An off-road section along the Pilgrims Way picks up the village of Burham Thames and Medway canal as it heads towards Gravesend. This route is Rochester Bridge. route passes Budgells Wood Camping and leads on where the Battle of the Medway took place. section of the tour can be cycled in half to Birling Hill. a day. Less experienced cyclists can use also a National Cycle Network Path 1, and forms part of the Saxon Shore Way walking route. The route passes the historic villages of Higham the map overleaf to plan how best to split and Cobham, which share connections to Charles Dickens and offer 12 Birling Hill to Snodland 04 Detling to Burham  their route using the three country parks opportunities to refuel and relax. Views of the Medway Valley open up as From the end of Broader Lane the route or numerous villages as starting points. the route turns left and heads along Paddlesworth runs off-road along the Pilgrims Way to where Road, passes the attractive artificial lakes and drops it crosses over the Channel Tunnel Rail Link For a detailed map of the route visit 01 Rochester Bridge to Hoo Village 04 High Halstow to Cliffe into Snodland along Constitution Hill. Once in route and then under Blue Bell Hill (A229). Then, www.medway.gov.uk/cycling This largely urban section of the route Leaving High Halstow the route drops the village centre follow the Holborough Road to following the Old Chatham Hill, the route passes takes you along Canal Road, past the entrance down Cooling Road and Lipwell Hill taking in the A228. There is no quiet route along the A228 along Rochester Road following signs to the to the now closed Thames and Medway Canal, fabulous views of the Thames estuary, orchards connecting the route to Peters Bridge so plan this village of Burham. View across the River Medway through the Medway City Estate and to Berwick and woodlands. Passing the RSPB’s Northward section with that in mind. to Snodland and Halling and the new river Way where you will head off towards the Upnors. Hill Reserve, the route enters Cooling along Main 09 M2 crossing to Rochester 01 Rochester to Riverside crossing at Wouldham.

Turn left to go along Upchat Road to Chattenden Road taking you past yet another pub, then St (Alternative route back 2) 13 Snodland to Rochester Country Park Y WA

MED

and into Hoo. James church (famous links to Dickens) and along After leaving Cuxton an alternative route follows Cross Peters Bridge enjoying views of the The route starts at the heart of urban Medway 05 Burham to Wouldham CLE CY Cooling Road to Cliffe. the North Downs Way bridleway and crosses the River Medway and follow section six back into following Rochester High Street towards Chatham The route leaves Burham following Church M2 bridge to join with the Wouldham Road in Rochester via the Esplanade. via Medway Street. Passing the bus station and Street to where it joins with Court Road with 05 Cliffe to Higham Rochester. following Dock Road, cycle to Maritime Way, its new cycle path via Hall Road towards the From Cliffe the route goes across to the the route passing St Mary’s Island with its pubs, new Peter’s Bridge. Hall Road continues through Higham Road on to the Buckland Road. Here parking and shops. Using the Pier Road cycle way, the new housing estates on to the village of

views of the old chalk pits can be seen which are the route enters The Strand at Gillingham where Wouldham. The villages offers a pub and parking www.medway.gov.uk/cycling now used for fisheries, boating and diving. The it follows the off-road route on to Gillingham and some great views. route moves southwards until it meets Gore Green Riverside Country Park. Toilets, parks and café are where it turns right and heads into Higham with available at both of the last two venues.

02 Hoo Village to Stoke its train station and parking.

Taking the Stoke Road from the village 02 Riverside Country Park to Hartlip

T

E centre, the route now takes you out on quiet roads Higham to Shorne Leaving the country park, the route

R 06 L Rediscover the joy

towards Kingsnorth. Views open up to the east Heading out of Higham along Canal Road, continues on the NCR1 pass Otter Quay and goes

A C of cycling. across the marshes and the Medway estuary as the route passes the open section of the Thames down Canterbury Lane between Upchurch golf

Y the route heads over the mineral train line towards and Medway Canal. Now a haven for wildlife, the course, turning left on to Oak Lane and then right

I North Street. Next the route encounters Upper, canal path guides you down to a railway crossing n Adult rides led by trained along the off-road bridleway which joins with L C Middle and then Lower Stoke. Take note the route leading to Queens Farm Road. The route now heads cycle leaders. 5 tips for a safer ride Hollywell Lane and then Breach Lane. Crossing the follows the A228 for a short section between Middle south along Lower Road and then Green Farm Lane, n Build bike confidence on A2 the route heads south along Lower Hartlip Road 01 and Lower Stoke. across the busy Gravesend Road and Forge Lane quieter routes. Avoid riding up the inside of large and into Hartlip. into Shorne. Here pubs, parking and shops provide vehicles, like lorries or buses, where n Rides between 45 and Lower Stoke to High Halstow welcome relief. you might not be seen. Hartlip to Detling 03 90 minutes. 03

E 02 

Leaving Lower Stoke following Cuckolds Always use lights after dark or when Leaving Hartlip and its pub, the route passes s

s Green Road, the route cuts back towards High For more information phone visibility is poor. under the M2 and follows Mount Lane on to Warren Wouldham to Rochester

t 06 n

u 01634 333720 or email 03

Halstow. Turning right at Hoppers Lane the cycle Wear light coloured or reflective Lane. The route passes the Queenborough Down Following the High Street the route leaves

a

w route meets the Ratcliffe Highway where it quickly [email protected] clothing during the day and Warren nature reserve and joins Yelstead lane the village and follows the Woulham Road to

r o

i turns right along Newlands Farm lane. The route reflective clothing and/or where a right turn takes you up a long steep hill pass under both the M2 and the High Speed train

e

D

s •

accessories in the dark.

cuts left following a bridleway to join Clinch to Cox Street and finally Scragged Oak Road. Hilly line. Borstal Street takes you up to Shorts Way • s

T n o w 04 Street, then Britannia Road and then into High Follow the Highway Code including but with great views, the route passes the rear of which has a refreshing downhill section to join the Halstow village. observing ‘stop’ and ‘give way’ signs the Kent Show Ground and at Broader Lane turns Esplanade and finally the A2 at Rochester bridge. and traffic lights. away from the village of Detling on to the off-road 05 DID YOU KNOW? FREE Wear a correctly fitted cycle helmet, Pilgrims Way.

A 20-minute bike ride could use the same amount of calories as a which is securely fastened and

conforms to current regulation.

cappuccino, a bar of chocolate or a 175ml glass of wine. www.abettermedway.co.uk

T

E ?

R L

A C

Y

I

L

C

E

s s

t

n

u

a w

r o

i

e

D

s •

• s

T n o w Route map For a detailed map of the route visit 03 3 www.medway.gov.uk/cycling CLIFFE 7 A B 04 Tourist information COOLING P C GRAIN www.visitmedway.org HIGH U Email: [email protected] STOKE Ranscombe Farm 1 HALSTOW Riverside Country Park 6 A working farm/nature reserve in Cuxton Phone: 01634 338141 Situated on the Medway estuary, this country up on the North Downs. It offers spectacular park has facilities which include a visitor centre, views along the Medway Valley and wonderful 05 café, toilets and play area for children. Cyclists A228 woodlands and fields. (Limited parking). 06 can park for free on the site. 02

GRAU VESEND E D F HOO 01 HIGHAM H A226 G I SHORNE 2 UPNOR Upnor Village(s) and Castle 2 07 A289 A cobbled high street lined with terraced St James’ Church, Cooling 7 SHORNE WOODS

weather-boarded houses leads downhill to COUNTRY PARK Dickens used the churchyard of St James’ Church as Upnor Castle and the river. The castle was U A2 P RIVER MEDWAY inspiration for Great Expectations, where Pip meets built on the orders of Queen Elizabeth in 1559 LONDON Magwitch. The vestry walls are lined with thousands and has lovely grounds in which to picnic. of cockle shells - the emblem of St James. (Free parking outside the village). A2 5 P STROOD P 1 02 Rural facilities COBHAM Establishments that may be able to provide RANSCOMBE FARM A231 RIVERSIDE P 6 facilities in the more rural areas of the tour: COUNTRY PARK 4 A289 COUNTRY PARK P P 01 A P The Horseshoe and Castle, Cooling ROCHESTER B The Red Dog, High Halstow 08 C The Nags Head, Lower Stoke A2 GILLINGHAM 09 D The Windmill, Hoo E Northward Hill 3 10 CUXTON The Five Bells, Hoo One of the RSPB’s oldest reserves and home F The Chequers, Hoo to Britain’s largest heronry. The area sits on A229 A230 G The Kings Arms, Upnor a ridge high above the marshes and offers CHATHAM H The Tudor Rose, Upnor I The Ship Inn, Upnor breathtaking views across the adjoining A278 A2 J Thames Estuary. (Free parking and toilets). RAINHAM SITTINGBOURNE The Rose and Crown, Hartlip 11 U K The King’s Arms, Boxley CAPSTONE FARM L The Waterman’s Arms, Wouldham M UPPER M L COUNTRY PARK HARTLIP The Medway Inn, Wouldham HALLING N M2 P The Windmill, Burham 06 GREAT WOULDHAM 03 O The Lower Bell, Kit’s Coty A228 J BUCKLAND M2 FARM 13 N DOVER DID YOU KNOW? U Studies have shown that Historic Rochester 4 physical activity can be The high street is home to historic buildings BURHAM ? used to overcome, and even including Rochester Castle and Cathedral and 12 05 BREDHURST BIRLING HILL prevent, depression and many independent shops. There are public anxiety. toilets and many places to eat and drink. SNODLAND A229 K Key

U M20 O  Route A Route B 04 Good for viewing wildlife MAIDST P Car parking Station ONE A-road The Strand 5 U DETLING Motorway The Strand is the go-to place for families. Links from existing cycle routes Outdoor swimming pool, miniature railway, crazy golf, and much more. Cyclists can park Woodland here for free and there are toilets and a cafe. Urban area