Cycle Routes
The Miners' Cycle Trail
A new route 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.
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