from Orpington into Kent

[gbs]

During this glorious autumn I would like to explore N Kent. My logical starting point is Orpington railway station. So,

• what are the recommended routes away from the station? 1) A224 to Green Street Green and 2) A224, R into Church Rd and on to Pratts Bottom seem simple enough for a Garminless newbie.
• my first planned route includes Brasted Hill and Toy Hill. The descents look to be steep. Are any to be avoided because of road condition, gravel etc?
• is Pilgrims Way usable on 23mm tyres? Someone wrote that it is a footpath but streetview shows a narrow but rideable lane near Brasted Hill.
• any must see destinations in additon to Chartwell, Hever, Chiddingstone, Knole, Penshurst?
• finally, where are the cycle friendly pubs and cafes?

All comments appreciated

 

[Brains]

The Pilgrims way is a mixture of road, track and path, but given that it has been in use for well over 2, 000 years I think all of is doable on a bike with decent tyres. There may be short sections you have to walk and maybe the odd style or kissing gate.

Pubs in Kent, too many to mention, many are the real deal ye olde oake beame Type and are nearly all bike friendly. As for highlights start with your list and then ask for others, there is lots more to see, some great little villages with picture postcard views

 

[hondated]

Yes The Pilgrims Way is ok to ride as many of the fella's I use to meet in the cafe at Tatsfield use it on a regular basis.
If you do use it and reach the junction with Westerham Hill go straight across and follow that road until the next cross roads.Once there turn right climb up the hill ride past the junction at the top of it until you see the next turning on the right.Turn down there and a little further on you will find The Reptile Centre who have a nice little cafe where you can get a nice cuppa and a piece of cake or more if you want it.
From there ytou can make you way back home via Biggin Hill, West Wickham, Beckenham if you want to.

 

[martint235]

I wouldn't like to head south down Toys hill. The surface on the top half is ok but the bottom half is a bit iffy. Conversely if you climb Toys hill northwards the run down to Brasted is on a wonderfully smooth surface.

Also head out to Ightham Mote but beware of the climb just afterwards, it's short but steep.

 

[rb58]

Agree with Martin, Toys Hill is best south to north as the surface on the south side is dire. If you're going south from Westerham (a couple of decent cafes) you can go via Chartwell down to Four Elms. Or go south over Ide Hill - fabulous views over Bough Beech reservoir from the top - then back over Toys Hill. Or for a real challenge, loop round the reservoir and come back over Yorks Hill, which is a bit of a monster. Avoid going up Westerham Hill - steep, narrow and the cars tend to be very fast.

Most of Pilgrim's Way is fine on a bike.

Seek out Knatts Valley, heading north. You'll find it if you go along the Pilgrim's way from Otford towards Wrotham, then turn left up Exedown Hill. It's not far from there and is a brilliant cycling road (but watch the gravel at the start by the golf club). It brings you out at Farningham - The Lion hotel is good for refreshments.

 

[StuartG]

Dare I suggest you think about joining us from Purley? We alternate between sojourns into Surrey/Sussex and North Kent. The advantage is we have spent over 130 years discovering the finest tea rooms and country pubs to bicycle between. This can include the occasionally hillock or three as mentioned above to develop the necessary cake filling cavity. All at a sedate pace that makes us look somewhat younger than our years

Check the Ride section here for some of our routes: http://anerleybc.org

 

[gbs]

Thank you for comments everybody.
My first route will include Igtham Mote, Pilgrims Way and the Exedon Hill/Knatts Valley. 900m vertical in a ride of 66k so rather more lumpy than Surrey.