Jon Clifton takes us to a number of stunning locations around the East coast of England.
This collection features rides from as north as Norfolk and stretches down past Dover to Dungeness.
The Dungeness ride is something really special as this region is like no other in the United Kingdom. You’ll ride past the iconic lighthouse AND get to see the coast of France off in the distance.
Thanks for pulling together this fantastic collection Jon.
We start our ride near Warehorne in rural Kent and head out over the emptiness of the unique Romney Marshes. We pass the small villages of Ivychurch, Newchurch and St Mary-in-the-Marsh (don’t miss the 12th century church as you pass by). Look out for the Romney Marshes breed of sheep. We end our ride on the seafront at New Romney. Will it rain, or will it stay dry? Cycle on and see!
More InfoThis is a ride like nowhere else in the UK. We start on the most extensive example of a stabilised shingle headland in Europe at the Old Lighthouse at Dungeness where the barren landscape is dotted with quaint and odd-looking cottages and the vegetation is dry and arid giving a desert-like appearance (look out to the horizon on your right as you cycle pass the lighthouse. Yes, this is the coastline of France!). We cycle past the flooded gravel pits at Denge Marsh and on through Lydd where the landscape changes little. After passing Walland Marsh we eventually get to Rye in East Sussex, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in England. Slow down, take your foot off the gas and enjoy a tour around the half-timbered houses and cobbled lanes. Leaving Rye, we cross the River Rother and pass several beautiful oast-houses finishing our ride at the stunning and secluded St Mary’s church at Kenardington. Enjoy the ride and enjoy the dramatic skies.
More InfoA mid-winters ride starting in the quaint village of Hunworth, we follow the Glaven Valley northwards crossing the river on several occasions. After crossing at Glandford, we climb Wiveton Downs eventually to drop into Blakeney and along the quay front (watch the seagulls). We continue along the coast through Cley and Salthouse where we climb Bard Hill onto Salthouse Heath. Returning through the Georgian market town of Holt and back along the Glaven Valley passing the many brick and flint cottages so typical of villages in this area. We end our ride with the cats and calves at Beck Farm, Hindolveston!
More InfoStarting at Bawdsey Quay on the mouth of the River Deben (this is the local foot ferry used in the summer months). We cycle through the quaint villages of Alderton (mind the Pheasant), Shottisham and Hollesley before heading back into the strengthening wind and onto the tiny costal hamlet of Shingle Street where we end the ride at the Martello Tower (small defensive ports built in the 19th century).
More InfoGet your gilet ready for this early spring ride on the sea wall into a stiffening headwind. Starting at Shingle Street on the Suffolk coast we see several Martello Towers (originally built to defend Napoleonic forces in the 1800s), the second one, Found Tower, being a luxury self-catering retreat looking out over the Suffolk coastline. We get back onto Terra firma at Bawdsey and continue to our finish point at Bawdsey Quay on the mouth of the River Deben.
More InfoStarting in Kersey, one of the most scenic villages Suffolk has to offer and often regarded as a hidden gem with quintessential medieval timber-framed houses and a ford. We head off through more chocolate box villages with pretty thatched cottages, historic churches and picturesque gardens climbing Watson’s Hill (Official UK Climbs #124) before passing through Chelsworth, Monks Eleigh and Brent Eleigh before arriving at the spectacular village of Lavenham. From here we drop into the Stour Valley at Long Melford and follow it through Cavendish to finish the ride at Clare where we have the choice of many pubs or tea shops to call into for refreshments!
More InfoA beautiful early summer’s ride taking in ten chocolate box villages in rural North Norfolk. Starting in Fulmodestone we cycle through Kettlestone and onto the sleepy villages of Little Snoring and Great Snoring where we then drop into the Stiffkey valley and Little Walsingham (famous for its religious shrine and Priory), note the octagonal pump house in the middle of the village built in the 16th century as a public water supply. We then cross the River Stiffkey (quite deep!) and pass through Great Walsingham. Eventually we enter Binham (keep a look out for brief views of the Benedictine St Mary’s Priory), Bale and Gunthorpe before finishing our ride in Swanton Novers.
More InfoStarting at the large barn at Nethergate Farm we head south through rural Guestwick and Foulsham before dropping into the Wensum valley and passing by Bintree Mill (c1750). We then hit the notorious lanes known as puncture alley where tiny shards of flint wash off the fields and are the bane of cyclists. Crossing back over the River Wensum at Great Ryburgh we climb to our finish point in the village of Stibbard.
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