This leisurely tour is ideal for families or those wanting to enjoy the wonderful beaches and fascinating history of this unspoilt area, on a largely traffic free and flat route. There is glorious cycling right beside the sea, castles and medieval towns to explore and a rich maritime history of old ports, shipwrecks and smuggling to discover.
You will ride through the many orchards that define this area as 'The Garden of England'. And then there's 'ye olde' Canterbury, full of pilgrim history, packed with museums, famous tales and vibrant with its maze of intriguing side streets.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £1,595 per person
Duration
6 nights
Start & Finish
Starts daily from Canterbury and is circular
Hotels
- Classic
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Four small hotels
Holiday type
Self-guided so you are free to explore at your own pace. More info...
Activity level
Gentle cycling (1) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
5 days of cycling 8 - 20 miles (13 - 32 km) per day
Terrain
Flat
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. Touring bikes and accessories. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guide Book or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
Read About Our Trips for further details
Traffic-free
Very largely
Options
- Additional nights in Canterbury or Broadstairs
- Enjoy our local guide cycling with you and sharing their knowledge on your first day
- Stay just outside Canterbury if you prefer
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
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1. Day one
Arrive 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 magnificent cathedral, and many museums. Discover Canterbury by following our walking tour for an insider’s guide to the city. Your bikes will be delivered to your hotel and your Host will meet you tonight or tomorrow morning to run through your itinerary and to familiarize you with the route.
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2. Day two
Canterbury to Whitstable
Leave Canterbury by pedalling along the old Crab and Winkle railway line to Whitstable and savour its famous oysters. There's a bustling harbour here and some cute shops to explore too. If you fancy more pedalling, then head towards Faversham along the coast, turning around at any point that suits you. Enjoy an award winning restaurant stop perhaps for lunch en route and Faversham's historic brewery and barge lined creek. The town also boasts the best medieval street in England.
8 miles (13 km) or up to 24 miles (38 km)
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3. Day three
Whitstable to Broadstairs
This is idyllic safe cycling along the seashore and the dramatic chalk cliffs. There are sandy beaches, a Roman Fort and a long sea wall for you to ride along. As you arrive in Broadstairs with its seven lovely bays you discover an unspoilt town with a traditional sweet shop and fisherman's cottages. We love our hotel choice here which faces the sea.
20 miles (32 km)
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4. Day four
Broadstairs to Sandwich
Take the morning fully to enjoy Broadstairs. Then cycle along the cliffs and take in Ramsgate with its enticing mix of maritime history and Royal harbour. Something quite different awaits you at Sandwich - a Cinque port and medieval town full of old timbered buildings. Your stop for the next two nights is in the heart of the town on the river..
10 miles (16 km)
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5. Day five
Sandwich to Deal and Back
This circular route heads inland through tiny hamlets and you ride the old cycle path taken by the miners on their way to the former coal pits. Discover the fascinating history of Deal with its pier and charm and cycle adjacent to the shore, to take in the Cinque castles. Head back to Sandwich on a route through the dunes.
13 miles (21 km) or more
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6. Day six
Sandwich to Canterbury
Pedal through orchards and pretty villages today and you will discover wonderful pubs and Roman antiquities. Your journey end leads you traffic free into the heart of Canterbury where your hotel awaits you.
17 miles (27 km)
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7. Day seven
Depart Canterbury
Enjoy Canterbury and depart at your leisure.