Pier to Pier Cycle Trail Ramsgate to Deal

visitramsgate.co.uk/active8 Pier to Pier Cycle Trail There’s a lot more to cycling than simply keeping your head down and clocking up the miles, or at least there is on the Pier to Pier Cycle Trail.

This beautifully designed introduction to some of the South East coast’s most along the ancient highway (toll free for cyclists) meandering through striking architecture, history and nature begins in Ramsgate, the only Royal the most magnificent sand dune habitat to your halfway point at Deal Harbour to be honoured by a visiting king, where you will leave from the East Pier. The route covers 20km and should take more or less 90 minutes to Pier and pick up the cycle-friendly Viking Coastal Trail to Pegwell Bay. From complete, depending of course on the speed you cycle! But remember there you will follow National Cycle Network Route 1 until you arrive at the that it isn’t a race, so take your foot off the pedal, and give yourself a beautifully preserved medieval town of Sandwich. Then it’s onwards again, moment to appreciate everything that makes this trail so exceptional.

2 Pier to Pier Cycle Trail Photo: Ramsgate Royal Harbour & Marina Ramsgate to Deal 3 Fabulous Feasts & Famous Feats

The Pier to Pier Cycle Trail is an opportunity to do so much more If you’re hungry, put away your English Channel that has seen than simply cycle from a to b; it’s an invitation to experience a truly sad, cling-filmed sandwiches and armadas defeated, battles won and exceptional journey. So, start as you mean to continue and allow the see what’s on offer at any one of invasions repelled; journey through hustle and bustle of Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour to wash over you. Ramsgate’s busy waterfront cafés, a national nature reserve teeming pubs and restaurants where you with spectacular birdlife; meander can enjoy the continental vibe and alongside the River Stour through fuel yourself up. the medieval town of Sandwich; pedal the ancient highway at Then, properly fed and watered, Sandwich Bay passing sand dunes you can begin; past the elegant and golf courses galore; on and marina; up onto the cliff top; on until you have enjoyed every over the honeycombed network moment of every mile of this of caves and tunnels that are beautiful trail and arrive at the pier buried deep in the chalk and rock in the picturesque coastal town beneath your wheels; beside the of Deal.

4 Pier to Pier Cycle Trail Photo: Deal Pier Ramsgate to Deal 5 A Brief History of the Brief Life of Ramsgate Pier

However, despite this outside of Transport decided to finally and investment and popular support, the irreversibly demolish what little company behind the project hit hard remained of the unlucky pier. times, and three short years later they auctioned the pier for just £250. Happily the story didn’t end there though, because the current ‘East If that wasn’t a big enough blow, a Pier’ harbour arm formed part of the series of violent storms hit the pier construction of Ramsgate Harbour in 1887, forcing the removal of the and was made of much tougher popular switchback railway and, stuff. Unlike its blighted wooden despite all subsequent efforts to counterpart, the concrete East Pier has The existing concrete ‘East Pier’ harbour arm was, rather briefly, breathe new life into the venture, the weathered everything that time, and complemented by a largely wooden pier that officially opened on pier itself closed in 1914. the forces of nature have thrown at it 31st July 1881. This was an immediate success and a number of and remains one of the town’s most extra facilities including a switchback railway, camera obscura, joy- In 1917, a fire caused even more popular attractions. Whether you want wheel, angling and a 250-seat pavilion on the pier-head were soon damage, but the last nail in the easy access to sea fishing, a delicious added to the attraction. coffin arrived a year later. It came in meal in the harbour arm’s Brasserie, the form of a mine which exploded or a boat trip to see the area’s wildlife, underneath the structure. The damage Ramsgate’s East Pier is ‘the’ pier to visit. was terminal, and in 1930 the Ministry

6 Pier to Pier Cycle Trail Ramsgate to Deal 7 Start/Finish: East Pier, Harbour Parade, The Harbour, Ramsgate CT11 8LS Route: Along Regional Route 15 and NCN Route 1 from Ramsgate to Deal Distance: 12.9 miles / 20.8 km to half-way point (Deal Pier); 25.8 miles / 41.6 km round trip Time: Allow 90 mins (one-way) OS Explorer Map: 150 Terrain: Mainly on dedicated cycle paths, bridleways and country lanes Refreshments & facilities: Restaurants, cafés, pubs and public toilets in Ramsgate, Sandwich and Deal Car Parks: Ramsgate Royal Harbour, Leopold Street, Ramsgate CT11 9EF; Pier Yard, Harbour Parade, Ramsgate CT11 8LS Train Stations: Ramsgate, Sandwich, Deal

Tread Easy Harbour. Along with cycle hire they can also service and repair your own bike If you’re worried about the demands if needed whilst you have a pit stop that this trail will make on your bike, in one of Ramsgate’s eclectic mix of relax, because the good news is that waterfront cafés, bars and restaurants. the Pier to Pier Cycle Trail has been Harbour Bikes designed to be as forgiving as possible. www.harbourbikes.co.uk The route is almost entirely on a 07834 377907 dedicated cycle path and the surface is generally sound so, regardless of the Good Practice makes Perfect type of bike you have, you can cycle with confidence. And while you will Sharing is Caring - On shared cycle encounter a few roads en route, the paths give priority and slow down time you will need to travel on them is when approaching walkers and other short and the traffic light. cyclists. Dismount where signs advise. Try to stay to one side of the cycle path.

Cycle Hire Respect the Environment - Nestled amongst some great watering Don’t litter. There’s no excuse. Ever. holes, Harbour Bikes is based out of If you take it out, take it home. one of the Arches in Ramsgate’s Royal

8 Pier to Pier Cycle Trail Ramsgate to Deal 9 Features Upgrade Route Planner Organizations Find Stories English Log In Sign up

Exit Fullscreen Settings Map ------At the sharp bend in the road to the right at the top of the hill 2 , cycle straight on forwards along the Viking 4 Coastal Trail onto Westcliff Promenade 1 passing Royal Crescent, St Augustine’s 2 Church, the Grange, Ramsgate 5 3 Croquet Club, Ramsgate Bowls Club and the Boating Pool with the sea on your left. ------6 From Ramsgate’s East Pier alongside St Augustine’s Church Pier to Pier the Royal Victoria Pavilion and the The personal passion and ultimate beach in the heart of Ramsgate resting place of Pugin; renowned Cycle Trail 1 , cycle along Harbour Parade. nineteenth-century architect, designer 7 (Public toilets located adjacent to the and reformer. Principally remembered Ramsgate to Deal Pavillion). for his pioneering role in the Gothic Revival style of architecture, Pugin 8 To expand and download map visit At the junction turn left onto the began work on St Augustine’s Roman 9 visitramsgate.co.uk/cycling Viking Coastal Trail. Cycle across the roundabout (2nd exit) and up the hill Catholic church in 1846. He didn’t live 12 10 on the cycle path running alongside to see it completed, but his sons did, 11 and thanks to them it quickly earned its Ramsgate Royal Harbour and Marina. place as a jewel in the Pugin legacy. ------The Viking Coastal Trail Turn sharp right at the end of the Vikings invaded here, Romans, Saints promenade leading up to Goodwin and Saxons landed here, artists and Road. Turn immediately sharp left writers drew inspiration here. Now onto Pegwell Road 3 and cycle you’re being invited here to discover 13 downhill past Belle Vue Tavern on why. At 32 mile (51.4 km), the Viking the left and Pegwell Bay Hotel on the Coastal Trail boasts a wealth of dramatic right. 14 scenery and historical gems for you to discover and enjoy, including an Cycle uphill turning sharp left authentic Gokstad Viking ship named opposite the Chilton Tavern following 15 Hugin on the Cliffsend beach path. The the Viking Coastal Trail along Chalk route is also known as the Regional Hill 4 . Cycle Network 15 and well signed Cycle past the Viking Ship and take throughout with the trail logo and the the left fork in the cycle path 5 National Cycle Network. towards SandwichMap data on ©2021 the ContraTerms Trail of Use Report a map error

Ele Grade 12.9 miles · +214 ft / -232 ft 10 Pier to Pier Cycle Trail RamsgateDrag to Deal on graph 11 to zoom/select 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 ele 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (ft) distance in miles drag to zoom in Keep on the cycle path passing roundabout whilst staying on the through Sandwich and Pegwell Bay cycle path, signposted towards National Nature Reserve and Pegwell Sandwich. Bay Country Park (public toilets and Immediately before the next the Salty Seal Cafe are located here) roundabout bear left, then right (the 6 , continue on the pavement and cycle path crosses over the road) to cycle straight past the roundabout head over the roundabout bypassing and the petrol station bearing left just Pfizer and heading along the left after, following the cycle path along fork of the cycle path 8 towards Ramsgate Road towards Sandwich 7 . Sandwich circling around Discovery was once large enough to deal with ------Park. trading ships and the not so occasional (a walking trail that’s part of Active At roundabout take the last exit, invasion, Sandwich is a beautifully preserved medieval town with an Ramsgate’s ‘Active8’) passing through cross over the road on the cycle path, historic Quay and a very long memory. wetlands with St Augustine’s Golf and follow the cycle path alongside Club on your right. Ramsgate Road into 9 Sandwich. In 1457, during a ferocious attempt ------At next roundabout join the road and by the French to invade, many of the St Augustine’s Golf Club cross the bridge over the River Stour townspeople were killed, including the Part of Active Ramsgate’s ‘Active8’ this and turn immediately left alongside town mayor. Time has healed those compact and competitive golf course the quay in Sandwich 10 . wounds, towns have been twinned and is worth 18 holes of anyone’s time. St the assault has been forgiven. But it Augustine’s beautifully maintained and has not been forgotten, because every highly manicured parkland course is Sandwich & Pegwell Bay Mayor of Sandwich is still required to wear a black robe in memory. Elegant, home to an abundance of wildlife and National Nature Reserve welcomes visitors of all abilities. Club interesting and surrounded by beautiful house, complete with 19th hole, also Believed to be the site of both Roman Kent countryside, Sandwich deserves its available. invasions of Britain by Julius Caesar, reputation as being something special. Pegwell Bay is a shallow inlet in the ------English Channel coast with a wealth of Keep cycling alongside the River historical interest and natural beauty. Stour, crossing through the car park, Mudflats and salt marsh with migrating ------picking up the cycle path again. waders and wildfowl are just a few of A Bite Sized Introduction Turn left at the end into Sandown the attractions that make this such a Road 11 and continue on into must-see destination. to Sandwich Guildford Road crossing through ------Sandwich town is famously celebrated as being the birthplace of the bread- the toll point (free for cyclists) into Continue forwards on the cycle enclosed convenience food, but did Sandwich Bay Private Estate and path passing alongside the River you know that it also boasts a history onward along the ancient highway Stour where the cycle path bears that stretches back as far as 664AD? from Sandwich to Deal amidst sand to the right to cross over the next Nestled beside the River Stour, which dunes.

12 Pier to Pier Cycle Trail Ramsgate to Deal 13 having the world’s deepest bunker in Links golf course is regarded by many Tudor castle, picturesque views and championship golf, Royal St George’s is as one of the finest in the world. last, but not least, Deal Pier. reassuringly unlike any other. Recently the club hosted the Amateur ------Championship in 2013 and was one of Like its unfortunate counterpart four Final Open Qualifying venues from in Ramsgate, Deal Pier has also Sandwich Bay Bird 2014 to 2017. experienced more than its fair share Observatory ------of bad luck and drama over the years. When the road meets Ethelbert Road From its first beginnings in 1838 to its The dedicated and ongoing reworked form today, Deal Pier has Sand Dunes on a bend, bear left 14 . At the end of conservation and recording of weathered the storms and remains the road turn right. The most important sand dune system the natural environment in the one of the town’s most important and sandy coastal grassland in South Sandwich Bay area and the creation of Turn left into Godwyn Road and at and loved landmarks. Park the bike East England with a wide range of opportunities for education, training the end of this road at the seafront in and take a stroll down the pier to other habitats such as mudflats, and research make this observatory Deal turn right. the new look cafe-bar designed by saltmarsh, chalk cliffs and freshwater well worth a visit. Officially opened Cycle along the seafront on The renowned architects Niall McLaughlin; grazing marsh. The vegetation is in September 2002 by the charity’s the perfect place to enjoy a snack Marina and Beach Street until you extremely diverse and includes several President, Bill Oddie, it contributes before you step back into the saddle reach Deal Pier on your left in the rare species, such as fragrant evening- towards the management of the and enjoy this exceptional cycle trail 15 primrose, bedstraw, broomrape and Sandwich Bay Nature Reserve and plays heart of historic Deal . back to Ramsgate from a totally fresh sand catchfly, and the UK’s largest a major role in documenting the bird------perspective. population of lizard orchid. life of the estuary. ------After a break, reverse the route and Continue forward through fields cycle back to Ramsgate. Alternatively with the beach at Sandwich Bay, you could take the train back. Royal St George’s Golf Club 12 and Restharrow Dunes Nature Reserve on your left and Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory on your right. ------The Real Deal Royal St George’s Golf Club ------Established as a ‘limb’ of the Cinque Continue along Golf Road 13 , cycling Ports in 1278, Deal was once renowned Founded in 1887, Royal St George’s alongside Royal Cinque Ports Golf for being the busiest port in England. has earned the respect of some of Club with the sea on your left. Today, the success of that port has the biggest names in golf, including ------been replaced by a thriving arts Greg Norman and Sandy Lyle - and community and growing live music Ian Fleming, who used it as a template Royal Cinque Ports scene. The town is closer to Calais than for the fictional Royal St Mark’s Golf Golf Club London and France is clearly visible on Club in his novel Goldfinger. The club Boasting a history that includes two a good day, so as you approach the has hosted 15 Open Championships, end of your outward journey, consider the most recent being the 149th Open Championships in 1909 and 1920, this 18 hole Championship using the break as an opportunity to Open in July 2021. Renowned for explore its pastel-coloured houses,

14 Pier to Pier Cycle Trail Ramsgate to Deal 15 ACTIVE8 Cycling is just one of the 8 outdoor leisure activities known as the ‘Active8’ brought to you by Active Ramsgate. Whether it’s heart thumpingly good cycle trails (complete with optional cycle hire), uplifting walking trails, gorgeous golf courses, top tennis matches (or pickleball), breathtaking birdwatching tours, seal watching on kayaks, sunrise and sunset paddleboard safaris or open water kitesurfing - Active8 exceeds expectations at every turn. And if that isn’t enough to tempt you, perhaps the wide range of local activity enterprises who have teamed up with us might. Don’t miss out on what they offer. Visit visitramsgate.co.uk/active8 for full details. For more information about Ramsgate and all the local area has to offer, you can pop into the Visitor Information Centre where the local staff will be happy to help.

Ramsgate Visitor Information Centre The Custom House Harbour Parade Ramsgate CT11 8LP 01843 598750

Open 10am - 4pm Country Cliffs White for use of photos. & Jason Livy Council, Town Kent, Deal Explore thanks to With

Funded by Ramsgate Town Council visitramsgate.co.uk/active8