Cycle Route: Headcorn Station to Sissinghurst Castle

Numbers 1 to 3 on this ride and number 16 are on quite busy roads. Cycle helmets and high-viz jackets are highly recommended.

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 11.8 miles.

---

1. From the station, head north onto Station Road, A274, and turn left. There are lots of shops, bakeries, pubs, restaurants and cafes in this road so you may like to visit one of these before you start your ride.

2. The road turns to the right and this is North Street.

3. Take the first turning on the left into Moat Road, and then take the first left into Water Lane. (1.4 miles)

4. Follow Water Lane to its end which is a sharp bend but no road markings and then it becomes Headcorn Road. (0.9 mile)

5. On arrival in Frittenden, you come to an offset cross roads. Take the turning to the left.

6. You will pass a pub on your left hand side called Bell & Jorrocks. Stay on this road for 0.4mile until you reach Sand Lane on your right hand side.

7. Turn right into Sand Lane. Follow Sand Lane to the end (1.2 miles). This is a lovely shaded treelined lane. In the spring these woods are full of wild flowers.

8. Then turn left into Digdog Lane towards Biddenden.

9. As you come up the hill after about ½ mile you will see a track on the right on a
bend, marked bridle path.

Detour: This is the back entrance to Sissinghurst Castle. As this is a bridleway you can go along here with your bike. This is a National Trust Property so don’t forget your card. The café is situated in the barn outside the castle, so is easily accessible and, of course, you can visit the castle and the internationally famous gardens created by Vita Sackville-West.

10. Return to Digdog Lane and turn right. Take the first turning on the left into
Frittenden Road/Hareplain Road. This road is about 2 miles.

11. As the road junction comes in sight there is a small lane to the left called Ayleswade Lane. Take this turning.

12. Continue all the way along Ayleswade Lane until you reach the next junction and turn left.

13. This is New House Lane and is a wonderful quiet lane. At the next junction, keep left.

Detour: If you turn right at this junction it will lead out to the main Biddenden Road. If you cross over this main road to the lane on the other side, after about 500yds, there is an entrance to Headcorn Aerodrome. Here you will find a delightful café full of WWII aircraft stories, which is well worth a visit simply for that. You will also find skydiving and Lashenden Air Warfare Museum (only open at weekends.) All interesting and worth a look! On leaving the café retrace your steps along Shenley Green Road over into Bletchenden Road and then right into New House Lane, where you started the detour.

14. Pass the entrance to Vine Farm on your left and keep on this lane until you reach the junction at the very end.

15. Here you need to turn right into Water Lane, there is a signpost marked Headcorn, and retrace your steps back into Headcorn.

16. Go over the River Beult, turn right into Moat Road, right into North Street, left into Station Road and right into the Station.