Cycle Routes
The Miners' Cycle Trail
A new route (not yet signed) which explores the beautiful lower slopes of the North Downs between Deal and Shepherdswell, past what remains of old coal mines opened in a twenties rush for 'black gold'. Starts at Sholden on one of the first cycle tracks in the country, alongside the A258. After miners were injured riding their bikes to work in the dark, a Deal cycle racer had a whip-round to build a path separated from the main road. Now the old slag heap may be transformed into a Mountain Bike Centre.
At the end of the track, leave the A258, go left down the hill, then right through Finglesham maybe stopping at the Crown Inn (meals) - 01304 612555. Then follow the signs to Eastry, up hill and down dale and past the Blazing Donkey (meals) 01304 617362. Look out for interesting local churches, many birds including skylarks, and the locally - produced vegetables/salads sold in our shops.
At Eastry stop for pubs or fish bar, or go straight over the crossroads (Route 15) into Mill Lane. On the edge of the village there's a sharp left, look out for a turn into Thornton Lane - a quiet lane with views of rolling fields to a country junction where you take a bridlepath to Shepherdswell through pastures grazed by sheep to the East Kent Light Railway which once carried coal from nearby collieries.
- Cliffs and Castles
- National Route 1 from Dover to Deal
- National Route 1 from Deal to Sandwich
- The Sandwich Way - Route 15
- The Miners' Cycle Trail
- The Skylark Trail
