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This tour is designed to explore the beautiful countryside of the Weald, reaching over from North Kent into East Sussex and taking in some of the fine examples of historic buildings and pretty villages that are so plentiful in this area. Starting in Tonbridge, you will cycle through the enchanting Ashdown Forest as far as Herstmonceux in the South and Cranbrook in the East, before returning to the start via Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Day 1: Arrival in Tonbridge.
You arrive in Tonbridge and have the rest of the day to explore and settle in to your hotel. Tonbridge has been a market town since the Middle Ages. The Normans chose it for their motte and bailey castle, which dominates the town to this day and is surrounded by 14 acres of lawns and gardens alongside the River Medway.
Day 2: Tonbridge to High Hurstwood, 24 or 33 miles (38 or 53km).
Your hire bike will be available for you and you will leave Tonbridge for a tour that takes you past some of the best castles and stately homes in the country - including Penshurst Place and Hever Castle, best known as Anne Boleyn's childhood home. Then it's heading south for your overnight stop in Ashdown Forest and Winnie the Pooh country. Try your hand at Pooh Sticks on the very bridge!
Day 3: High Hurstwood to Herstmonceux, 22 or 31 miles (35 or 50km).
You have a choice of routes, both ending at Herstmonceux, home to the famous 15th century moated castle and the former home of the world famous royal Greenwich Observatory.
Day 4: Herstmonceux to Cranbrook, 31 miles (50km).
Today you start heading north again via the Pevensey Levels to Battle, the enchanting market town where history was made and the fate of England was forged - perhaps a good spot for a little refreshment. Then on to Bodiam Castle and the next overnight stop just to the north.
Day 5: Cranbrook to Tonbridge, 22 or 29 miles (35 or 46km).
Your ride today brings you across the gently rolling Weald of Kent to Royal Tunbridge Wells, famous for The Pantiles and its health-giving spa, via a string of pretty villages such as Goudhurst, Horsmonden, Brenchley and Matfield. There is plenty to do in Tunbridge Wells, including a possible visit to 'A Day at the Wells', a lively re-creation of life in Georgian times. However, you will need to watch the time, as it is then back to Tonbridge for the end of your tour. As this last day is a fairly full day, you might like to extend your holiday by staying for a further night at your hotel in Tonbridge, giving you time to relax before heading home in the morning.
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