Where can I cycle in and around Tunbridge Wells?
IN
Cycling about town is possible but there are limited, and poor, cycle lanes. None separate cyclists from pedestrians and cars; all are some form of shared use.
Cycle lanes are available on St John’s Road, Pembury Road, North Farm Industrial Estate and Hilbert Park .The lanes do not link up to form planned routes but tend to peter out unexpectedly.
Cyclestreets provides a useful route planning website, akin to Google maps for bikes, where after entering the start and finish points for a journey route options are offered allowing a choice between fastest, quietest or balanced. Anticipated journey time, distance, calories used and an elevation profile are all provided too.
Bike racks are available at Five Ways (near Royal Victoria Place), Monson Road (outside Prezzo), on the High street (near Frog Lane), at Calverley Grounds(entrance near Hoopers) and at the train station (foot of Mount Pleasant). There is also a bike rack at Dunorlan Park, though cycling is not permitted in the park.
Cycling is not permitted on the Common.
OUT
Road and trail cycling out of Tunbridge Wells is considerably better provided for.
Kent County Council (KCC) provides information about numerous routes, with information available here.
Sustrans National Cycle Route 18 runs from Canterbury to Tunbridge Wells and their Regional Route 12 runs from Tonbridge castle to Penshurst Place. Both routes are clearly signed and further details are available here.
Cyclestreets is, again, useful in planning journeys out of town.
ABOUT
Traffic free cycling is available at a number of parks and facilities a short distance from Tunbridge Wells.
Bedgebury Forest has a 10km family cycling route and a 12km mountain bike trail. It is totally traffic free. There are even showers for both riders and their bikes. Details, including cost, are available at their website.
PORC, or Penshurst Off Road Cycle Centre, has a number of tracks including a 10km cross-country circuit, world class BMX track, 1km wheelchair track, 3km road race circuit and jumps and trials areas. Further information here.
Bewl Water, on the Kent and East Sussex border, has a 12.5 mile ‘Round Reservoir Route’ open in the summer to cyclists (walkers all year). Further details on their website.
Haysden Country Park in Tonbridge has Regional Cycle Route 12 passing through its 165 acre site, linking it to Penshurst Place in the west or Tonbridge to the east. Further details and a map here.