Canterbury to Margate: Saturday Seaside Adventure

Please read the ride description carefully.

Overview

This is a train- assisted full day ride. It is not challenging in terms of ride distance or gradients, but you need the stamina to be outdoors all day and to manage getting your bike on & off trains.

The terrain is mostly tarmac, but there are some unsealed sections, generally in good condition, but uneven in places. Hybrid or gravel bikes with good tyres or mountain bikes are the most suitable for this ride.

Our route is mainly on traffic free shared paths, from Canterbury on the Crab & Winkle Way to Whitstable, and then along the coast to Margate. We have the option of extending the ride further along the coast to Broadstairs or Ramsgate. Our lunch stop will be at Herne Bay.

Travel Arrangements

We will take the 09.40 train from St Pancras to Canterbury West, arriving at 10.35.

Our return journey will be from Margate. We expect to reach Margate Station by 4pm-4.30pm. Trains to St Pancras leave at 32 and 49 mins past the hour, journey time approx. 1 hour 30 mins.

The cheapest way of buying a ticket is to get a Super Off Peak Day return from St Pancras to Margate, which is currently £43.49.

The Ride

From Canterbury West Station, we make our way on quiet side roads, with a sharp climb through the University, to join the Crab & Winkle Way, a 12km/7.5 miles mainly traffic free route towards the coast. We enjoy a landscape of woodlands, orchards and agricultural land, on an undulating ride to the attractive coastal town of Whitstable.

Leaving the busy harbour behind, we follow the coastal path, until our lunch stop in Herne Bay (20km/ 12.5 miles). There are several café options or you can bring a picnic to eat in the gardens if the weather is fine.

After lunch, we continue along the coast for a short distance, before a sharp climb brings us onto the top of the cliffs, with glorious views of Reculver Towers and an easy descent on open grassland. Rejoining the coastal path, we find ourselves on the Northern Sea Wall, with a fascinating landscape of lagoons and coastal defences, before reaching Minnis Bay on the outskirts of Margate. We use quiet roads as far as possible, until we reach the centre of Margate and the train station for our return.

If we are early and feeling energetic, we have the option of continuing around the coast to Broadstairs (a further 10km/ 6.5 miles) and joining the train there.

Train assisted full day ride. We take the Crab & Winkle Way from Canterbury to Whitstable, then follow the coastal route round to Margate.

Mainly traffic free tracks, shared paths, quieter roads. Some unsealed surfaces.

Lunch stop in Herne Bay.

Money/card for refreshments. Buy train tickets in advance. Locks for your bike.

First-timers welcome!