Cycle Route: From Headcorn Station

This is a family cycling route. Main and busy roads are avoided as much as possible, but please take all the precautions you would on any road when on a bicycle. Hi-viz and cycle helmets are recommended for your safety. To download the PDF, click here.

To hire an electric bike, UK Electric Bike Tours have you covered, click here for more information.

This circular route is 10.7 miles. See the bottom of the page for a map of the route.

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1. From Headcorn Station, head out towards the main road - this is the A274.

2. Turn right onto Station Road. This road can be busy so take care. This road turns into Wheeler Street. (0.2 miles). 

Detour: Just in case you need refreshments before your start your trip, turn left out of the station into Station Road, after a very short distance you will find cafés, bakeries, pubs and restaurants.

3. Turn left into Oak Lane. The road name sign for Oak Lane will be behind you.

4. Turn right into Grigg Lane. This lane passes a few houses then heads out into the countryside passing a few cottages, farms and fields. Follow for 1.9 miles.

5. Turn right into Sherway Road for 0.9 mile. Keep going until you reach the junction. Turn right into Bedlam Lane. You pass the camping ground and Sam’s Lakes on your left hand side. At the end of Bedlam Lane, turn right towards Headcorn. This is called Headcorn Road. (0.8 miles).

6. Pass the Big Cat Sanctuary on the right shortly after. The Big Cat Sanctuary is rarely open to the public but it is worth checking their website just in case. They do photography courses and corporate hospitality, so it’s not impossible to get in, but if you drop by on the off chance you are unlikely to be able to get in. (Image: Feeding areas big cat sanctuary)

7. At the end of Headcorn Lane turn left into Bell Lane. After a short distance, you will find The Bell pub. You can see it from the junction. 

Detour: This is an excellent place for refreshments.

8. Take the first turning on the right into Water Lane and continue for 0.7 miles.

9. Pass the church and go to the end of the road. On the corner of the road is a pub called The Chequers which makes a very good lunch stop. Turn right onto Cage Lane. 

Detour: The church is a beautiful Kentish village church dating from medieval times. Indeed the whole village is worth a slow down to view the glorious old buildings

10. Continue along Cage Lane and, after about 150 yards, you come to the Flying Horse pub. At the bend, the road becomes Biddenden Road. (0.3 miles). 

Detour: The Flying Horse Pub is a good stop with a bike as it has an excellent front garden enclosed by a fence. Inside you will find local Shepherd Neame beer and local produce on the menu.

11. At the next junction turn right into Burnthouse Lane. It is signposted Marley Farm and Smarden (lorries (0.6 miles)

12. Cycle to the end of Burnthouse Lane at the junction with Bell Lane. Turn left and then immediately right into Shenley Road. (1 mile). This takes you past Headcorn Aerodrome. 

Detour: 200 yards to the left. There is an excellent café here which welcomes visitors. It has a unique atmosphere of expectation and anticipation. Here you will find people who are flying all sorts of aircraft, from Tiger Moths to Spitfires, or indeed skydiving. The café is well worth a visit for its memorabilia.

13. Back on the road. Go to the end of the road and go straight over to Bletchenden Road. (0.3 miles). Keep right into New House Lane and follow it until you reach the end.

14. Turn right into Water Lane, signposted Headcorn. (0.2 miles)

15. Take the first right into Moat Road. (0.4 miles)

16. Turn right into North Street keeping the green on your left. This is a busy road so take care. 

Detour: Here you will pass a number of café’s, restaurants and pubs all making a very good place to get comfortable before your journey home

17. Then turn right into Station Road, A274, and cycle along until you get to Headcorn Station.