To book this tour click on an available date in the calendar below:
Viking Trail – East Kent beaches and countryside
Summary:
Beaches, cliff tops, harbours, countryside… our most diverse tour yet! Visit classic seaside resorts, historic haunts of Charles Dickens and small country villages. What will be your favourite!
Distance: 27 miles
Terrain: Mainly flat with the odd gentle hill
Path/Road: All designated cycle route. Half path half road.
Physical difficulty: Moderate, 3.5 hours cycling at a medium pace. Everyone will be assisted but you must be competent on a bike.
Duration: 10am – 4pm
Cost: £20
Itinerary:
The Viking Trail winds it’s way from Birchington on Sea right around the coastal path of the Isle of Thanet. It loops back through quiet countryside roads, a perfect contrast to the day.
Setting off along the Promenade you’ll skirt the sea and pass numerous beach huts and bays before reaching ‘Kiss Me Quick’ Margate. Past the golden sands and up along the cliff top you’ll see North Foreland lighthouse and sea views across to France.
Reaching Broadstairs with it’s stunning Viking Bay beach you can’t miss Bleak House, where Charles Dickens stayed and was the inspiration behind his novel of the same name. Here we’ll stop for lunch, a chance to sample the local fish and chips or whatever takes your fancy, and if room Italian ice-cream!
Continuing round the coast you’ll come to the once thriving Victorian holiday resort of Ramsgate, home to the only Royal harbour in the country. Next stop is the Viking Ship at Pegwell Bay, iconic replica of the longboats rowed to Britain during the invasion of 449AD.
Then we’ll cut inland and finish through quiet country villages. We’ll stop in one such village and weather permitting enjoy a fabulous pub garden. Heading North to the coast we’ll arrive back at the starting point in Birchington on Sea.
Bike hire:
£20 day (not included, contact us if you need to hire)
Start and finish:
Start and finish at Birchington on Sea train station.
Direct trains from London Victoria.
If travelling from a certain location we can co-ordinate the group and travel together.
Included:
Fully guided tour
Places of interest pointed out
Basic tool kit carried to undertake minor repairs
Accident insurance cover
Trained first aider
Refund policy:
Contact us to cancel 2 weeks before event 100% refund, 1 week 50%, 2 days 25%