Best drives in Kent?

[El Shafto]

Afternoon all,

Just bought a new toy and desperately need to take it on a blast that doesn't involve dull motorways or congested residential streets, but the only problem is I'm pretty new to Kent (currently in Bromley) and don't know the road networks particularly well.

So... I'm keen to tap into the knowledge of more seasoned drivers in the area. Get people's thoughts on the best drives they've ever had in Kent? Decent routes, exciting back roads. Anything at all to break up the monotony and get the blood pumping on a Sunday morning.

Discuss.

[Rochester TVR]

Try this...

http://goo.gl/maps/TBPXo

[El Shafto]

Looks like a fine start.

Although if you did that in a TVR I'm thinking it cost you about 200 quid in petrol!

[strattonkillick]

Nice route! I had a few hours to kill today and went around Ide Hill and Penshurst a bit but I think I might well try to learn that one.

[bqf]

How long does that take to do? It's a 3 hour route surely!

[.Adam.]

Rochester TVR said:

Try this...

http://goo.gl/maps/TBPXo

Add the Camber Road to that route and it's even better!

[El Shafto]

yeah that's gotta be a solid 3 hour route in clear traffic. Plus the journey back home after. Better clear the entire the afternoon for that one.

Could always split it into 'stages' though, WRC style!

[Dalto123]

Hello! Also from Bromley (as are a few others). I usually around in my little MK2 MX5.

Good shout on the above route. I'll need to go and try that one out!

This isn't a route per se, but it's a nice road you can hoon about on and turn around at either end:

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=eynsford&...

[Rochester TVR]

bqf said:

How long does that take to do? It's a 3 hour route surely!

Yeah you need to allow about 3 hours, set off as early as possible to get a clear run.

This is the route I used for the kent run in 2010 and have fond memories of a Gallardo and a GTR hanging onto my coat tails on the road leading out of Rye.

[Red Devil]

Rochester TVR said:

Try this...

http://goo.gl/maps/TBPXo

Nice one. I like your finishing place btw! Been there many times.

As the organiser for our bi-monthly club runs for the last 6 years, may I suggest a few minor changes?

While the B2079 from Goudhurst is good, the A268 from Flimwell is a mixed blessing. The first half to Hawkhurst is v-max if it's clear but, if not, overtakes can be risky. The lights in Hawkhurst have very long phases and are a PITA if you don't get them on green. From there through Sandhurst to the A28 is nothing special - I would even call it boring. Instead, turn left in Goudhurst onto the A262 then right at The Peacock onto the B2065. Left onto the A229 then almost immediately right onto the B2086 via Benenden to Rolvenden. This will not only save some mile but uses challenging twisties. Very satisfying if you get them right.

---

I think there are better alternatives to the A259 between Brenzett and Rye.

Either: turn left off the A2070 onto the unclassified road via Ivychurch to New Romney (if you need fuel carry on to the Shell garage at the Brenzett roundabout then go back again). This twisty is, imo, the best on the whole of the Marsh. Turn right onto the A259 then, once out of the town, left to Lydd. This will take you to the Camber curves (already mentioned). Rejoin the A259 at East Guldeford.

Or: at the Brenzett roundabout turn right on the unclassified road to Appledore. As you enter the village turn left immediately after the bridge towards Rye. This road is very well known amongst bikers which tells you all you need to know.

---

After the pub at the A265/B2096 junction turn right onto the unclassified Newick Lane (if you get to the traffic lights you've missed it!) Follow it to the end, turn left and go down the hill to the roundabout on the A267. This short cut is another nice challenge and omits Heathfield, Cross-in-Hand, and Five Ashes. That whole section of the A265/A267 is best avoided. Trust me: I used to live roughly halfway between the latter two places!

Rochester TVR said:

bqf said:

How long does that take to do? It's a 3 hour route surely!

Yeah you need to allow about 3 hours, set off as early as possible to get a clear run.

Possibly more if you factor in a fuel stop and/or one or more breaks for photo ops. For refreshment I can recommend the Waterside Café which is a little over half way along the route. I definitely echo the advice to set off early though. Especially when the clocks go forward. Leave at dawn on a Sunday and you are unlikely to see any other traffic at all on these roads for the first two hours at least.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Also in Bromley, some good calls there. Ide Hill, Edenbridge etc is good and if you have time head down to the south downs.

Not that I have time to do any fun driving any more

[Ash-GT]

Im sure when we get to around march time some Sunday morning runs will be going on

[Red Devil]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Also in Bromley, some good calls there. Ide Hill, Edenbridge etc is good and if you have time head down to the south downs.

B2042 to Four Elms
B2027 to Edenbridge
B2026 to Hartfield

From there

B2026 to A22 roundabout
A22/A272 to North Chailey
A275 to Cooksbridge
B2116 to Ditchling

Or

B2110 to Colemans Hatch
Unclassified to Wych Cross (A22 traffic lights)
Unclassified to Sharpthorne and Selsfield Common
B20298 to Lindfield
B2112 to Ditchling

From there

Unclassified to Ditchling Beacon
or
B2112 to Clayton
A273 to Pyecombe
A23(northbound)/A281
At roundabout turn left
Unclassified to Devil's Dyke

Ash-GT said:

Im sure when we get to around march time some Sunday morning runs will be going on

Is the Pope a Catholic?

[Rochester TVR]

RedDevil - thanks for the tips. Some roads I have never even tried before.

Routes adjusted to include the roads suggested by RedDevil.

1 - 2010 Kent Run Route
http://goo.gl/maps/TBPXo

2 - As above but using the B2086 and Camber Road.
http://goo.gl/maps/mg4xr

3 - Inc. Ditchling Beacon and RD's route to Ide Hill.
http://goo.gl/maps/Wkbf8

Route 3 needs some work between Heathfield and Ditchling Beacon, but I don't know that area at all so have just done a few streetview drops and joined the dots.

Off to check the weather report for this Sunday...

[El Shafto]

Cheers for the suggestions lads. Some strong routes on offer here. Better warn the missus that she won't be spending a full weekend with me between March and August

As an aside, impressed/insanely jealous to see a few TVR's in owner's garages on here

[NiceCupOfTea]

So what's the new toy?

[SidewaysSi]

I have a free weekend and an itch to put some miles on-may pick few of these routes for a Sunday blast!

[Hol]

My favourite early route is to go from Ashford and then roughly through:

Cheeseman's green
Bilsington
New Romney
Lydd
Camber
Rye
Wittersham
New Hythe
Golford
Sissinghurst
Goudhurst
Staplehurst
Headcorn
Smarden
Bethesden

And then finish up for a sarnie at the Ashford Diner.

Takes just under three hours on a sunny Sunday morning.

[s p a c e m a n]

Those roads around Rye and Camber are great fun, I've had some excellent blasts along there. Fairly flat, loads of good visibility to overtake stuff and few side roads for things to pull out from

[ncs]

Also in Bromley, loads of TVRs round here which are often seen on a Sunday morning breakfast run down to Rye, Cowfold & the like.

From home to Cowfold is quite fun, via Riverhead, Ide Hill, Edenbridge, Lingfield, Crawley Down, Hurst Green, Ansty, Cuckfield, onto the A272 to Cowfold & a fat one at The Chalet.

Gotta dash, just off for dinner with forty other Tivvers at Chapter One....its going to get messy!

Hope to see you around.

Nick