Best drives in Kent?

Best drives in Kent?

Author
Discussion

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Saturday 18th January 2014
quotequote all
Rochester TVR said:
RedDevil - thanks for the tips. Some roads I have never even tried before.
You're welcome. smile

Rochester TVR said:
Routes adjusted to include the roads suggested by RedDevil.

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.
Ah, I misspent my early days eating up the tarmac round all of East Sussex (and South East Kent) in my Mk1 Escort Mexico (BDA engine, sump guard, big arches, full roll cage, etc. etc.). smile

A couple of suggestions.

From Rushlake Green, avoid Herstmonceaux by going via Cowbeech instead of Bodle Street Green.

That said, I'm not a big fan of the A271 nor the A22 between Lower Dicker and Golden Cross. The latter may be arrow straight but unless it is traffic free it's another where overtakes can be exceedingly dodgy. You also have to contend with numpties misjudging when to emerge from the several side roads and adjacent premises.

I would stay on the B2096 despite the speed limits through Punnett's Town and beyond. Contrary to my earlier suggestion for route 1, I would take the A265/A267 through Heathfield to Cross-in-Hand. The reward then comes in the form of the B2102 to Blackboys and the B2192 thence via Halland to Ringmer. Super quick with some nice sweeping bends in the first half to keep your concentration up.

One highlight is the A26 eastern bypass at Lewes. This includes the Cuilfail Tunnel. Not very long but the sheer height of the arch makes for an utterly brilliant soundtrack. Especially in a Tiv. wink The noise really bounces off the walls and the echo is something else.

ncs said:
Gotta dash, just off for dinner with forty other Tivvers at Chapter One....its going to get messy!
[quote]
Chapter One eh. Nice one. Know it well as I lived in Orpington for 25+ years.



Edited by Red Devil on Sunday 19th January 00:20

El Shafto

Original Poster:

133 posts

144 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
NiceCupOfTea said:
So what's the new toy?
RX8 PZ. Not the fastest car I could have bought, and it's certainly not the T350 I dreamed of, but it really comes alive on the B-roads.

Had a little road trip to Longleat this weekend to stretch her legs - some lovely roads around there too if you're willing to get lost in the woods a bit.

Sticks.

8,707 posts

250 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
Don't think it's been mentioned but AFAIK the B2163 between Leeds Castle and the A274 is still closed both ways. Probably will be for some time, I read, and the diversion isn't nice or short.

Unless you're going to the Brenzett air museum, I'd go from Tenterden to Appledore then take the Military Rd to Rye - though on bank holidays it's busy with bikers and plod, being largely straight with a few s bends.

If you've not been to Rye it's worth going up into the citadel (old town) for a look/feed and the Udimore Rd has some lovely views to both sides.

Some lovely roads there, great suggestion thumbup


Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
Sticks. said:
Unless you're going to the Brenzett air museum, I'd go from Tenterden to Appledore then take the Military Rd to Rye - though on bank holidays it's busy with bikers and plod, being largely straight with a few s bends.
Brenzett -> Appledore -> Rye was one of my alternative suggestions on the previous page. smile

The Military Road has 6 chicanes. First 3 are right/left the others are the opposite. Quite testing as the surface is not the best. The road hasn't seen any maintenance for several years and it's nowhere near as good as it used to be. Get any of the first 3 chicanes wrong and you could be taking a bath. The adjacent watercourse is several feet below the road.

Sticks.

8,707 posts

250 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
Red Devil said:
Brenzett -> Appledore -> Rye was one of my alternative suggestions on the previous page. smile

The Military Road has 6 chicanes. First 3 are right/left the others are the opposite. Quite testing as the surface is not the best. The road hasn't seen any maintenance for several years and it's nowhere near as good as it used to be. Get any of the first 3 chicanes wrong and you could be taking a bath. The adjacent watercourse is several feet below the road.
Sorry, I missed that smile Yes, it's an interesting bit of road with the canal and river. Understandably popular with bikers too, along with the Rye - Winchelsea Rd and Pett Level Rd.

The Don of Croy

5,976 posts

158 months

Monday 3rd February 2014
quotequote all
FWIW one my enduring favourites is the A264 from East Grinstead to Langton Green (Tunbridge Wells) - bummer if it's busy (and it can be, very) and now with added 50mph nonsense, but if you can work it into your itinery it's usually good.

Likewise the A267 heading south from T Wells towards the coast offers some luvverly curves and dips (and a Porsche indie garage for diversion).

Closer to Bromley, head out for Westerham and follow the signs for Chartwell via the B2026 - carry on south through Edenbridge and you'll end up on the aforementioned A264 and a choice of east, west, or continue south to Hartfield (home of Winnie the Pooh). There are many pleasant and fast routes through the region...

ncs

3,972 posts

281 months

Monday 3rd February 2014
quotequote all
The Don of Croy said:
Closer to Bromley, head out for Westerham and follow the signs for Chartwell via the B2026 - carry on south through Edenbridge and you'll end up on the aforementioned A264 and a choice of east, west, or continue south to Hartfield (home of Winnie the Pooh). There are many pleasant and fast routes through the region...
That's our regular playground.

They've just resurfaced the road from Edenbridge to Lingfield, which is nice biggrin

Nicknerd

DrDantastic

54 posts

133 months

Wednesday 5th February 2014
quotequote all
So many PHers so close to me! If you see a green Mk2 MX5 in the Edenbridge area with the top down in silly weather then give me a wave! I need to get my car stickered up again...

ETA: A favourite route of mine if it's either very early or very late is Edenbridge down to Crowborough then onto the A272. Might be a bit out of the way though.

sjj84

2,390 posts

218 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Sticks. said:
Red Devil said:
Brenzett -> Appledore -> Rye was one of my alternative suggestions on the previous page. smile

The Military Road has 6 chicanes. First 3 are right/left the others are the opposite. Quite testing as the surface is not the best. The road hasn't seen any maintenance for several years and it's nowhere near as good as it used to be. Get any of the first 3 chicanes wrong and you could be taking a bath. The adjacent watercourse is several feet below the road.
Sorry, I missed that smile Yes, it's an interesting bit of road with the canal and river. Understandably popular with bikers too, along with the Rye - Winchelsea Rd and Pett Level Rd.
Popular with the police and their speed guns on Sunday mornings when the weathers been nice. My licence has been saved by friendly warnings from motorists a couple of times. Haven't been that way for a couple of years now, road surface was good last time I went, guess the last few winters have taken the toll.

Dalto123

3,198 posts

162 months

Friday 7th February 2014
quotequote all
DrDantastic said:
So many PHers so close to me! If you see a green Mk2 MX5 in the Edenbridge area with the top down in silly weather then give me a wave! I need to get my car stickered up again...

ETA: A favourite route of mine if it's either very early or very late is Edenbridge down to Crowborough then onto the A272. Might be a bit out of the way though.
Usually end up down that sort of way when on a drive (Bromley also!) - Black M2.5 MX5 with the roof down in silly weather too!

I know what you mean about the road from E'Bridge to Crowborough. Done it many times - Sadly though these nice roads can/do get spoiled by dawdlers and there aren't many overtaking opportunities frown

The Don of Croy said:
FWIW one my enduring favourites is the A264 from East Grinstead to Langton Green (Tunbridge Wells) - bummer if it's busy (and it can be, very) and now with added 50mph nonsense, but if you can work it into your itinery it's usually good.

Likewise the A267 heading south from T Wells towards the coast offers some luvverly curves and dips (and a Porsche indie garage for diversion).
That would be you pass Paragon Porsche. Did my work experience there when I was at school years ago!


kiethton

13,883 posts

179 months

Friday 7th February 2014
quotequote all
Dalto123 said:
DrDantastic said:
So many PHers so close to me! If you see a green Mk2 MX5 in the Edenbridge area with the top down in silly weather then give me a wave! I need to get my car stickered up again...

ETA: A favourite route of mine if it's either very early or very late is Edenbridge down to Crowborough then onto the A272. Might be a bit out of the way though.
Usually end up down that sort of way when on a drive (Bromley also!) - Black M2.5 MX5 with the roof down in silly weather too!

I know what you mean about the road from E'Bridge to Crowborough. Done it many times - Sadly though these nice roads can/do get spoiled by dawdlers and there aren't many overtaking opportunities frown
Being in Orpington I regularly headed out to the above (and the Eynsford - Shoreham bit), shame as now I've got the 540iA and a lack of funds I don't find myself doing so as regularly as I did when I had the 924s/335i/EP3 - good in a straight line but not that rewarding to chuck around (and it's got a drinking problem!)

Dalto123

3,198 posts

162 months

Friday 7th February 2014
quotequote all
kiethton said:
Being in Orpington I regularly headed out to the above (and the Eynsprobably makesoreham bit), shame as now I've got the 540iA and a lack of funds I don't find myself doing so as regularly as I did when I had the 924s/335i/EP3 - good in a straight line but not that rewarding to chuck around (and it's got a drinking problem!)
Thats a shame frown

I still think a 540i can still be fun. As you say fast in a straight line, body roll probably makes cornering interesting (as I found out in one in Wales!) - need to get a kent drive set up and put some faces to names from here smile

littlepaul

218 posts

128 months

Friday 7th February 2014
quotequote all
Dalto123 said:
need to get a kent drive set up and put some faces to names from here smile
This would be a good idea ,if can get a few of us and some better weather to go with it.

kiethton

13,883 posts

179 months

Friday 7th February 2014
quotequote all
littlepaul said:
Dalto123 said:
need to get a kent drive set up and put some faces to names from here smile
This would be a good idea ,if can get a few of us and some better weather to go with it.
Indeed....cheeky pint coke at the Lion at half way?

El Shafto

Original Poster:

133 posts

144 months

Friday 7th February 2014
quotequote all
kiethton said:
littlepaul said:
Dalto123 said:
need to get a kent drive set up and put some faces to names from here smile
This would be a good idea ,if can get a few of us and some better weather to go with it.
Indeed....cheeky pint coke at the Lion at half way?
Top shouts all round. Fully behind this beer

Sticks.

8,707 posts

250 months

Friday 7th February 2014
quotequote all
sjj84 said:
Popular with the police and their speed guns on Sunday mornings when the weathers been nice. My licence has been saved by friendly warnings from motorists a couple of times. Haven't been that way for a couple of years now, road surface was good last time I went, guess the last few winters have taken the toll.
It wasn't that bad today, in terms of potholes, but there were a few and there's been a land slide at the Rye end. The water was pretty high on both sides though which was a bit unnerving.

Dalto123

3,198 posts

162 months

Friday 7th February 2014
quotequote all
Right! Sounds like a few people are game for a meet!

I've got no sense of direction so I shouldn't organise a route hehe

Ash-GT

241 posts

224 months

Saturday 8th February 2014
quotequote all
Sounds good to me.

Also if people are interested in a morning drive there is this one on another forum that I use.
http://www.kentcarclub.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?...

littlepaul

218 posts

128 months

Saturday 8th February 2014
quotequote all
Dalto123 said:
Right! Sounds like a few people are game for a meet!

I've got no sense of direction so I shouldn't organise a route hehe
yer im not great with direction, but shall we start a list/thread of people who are interested ? Then we can arrange a time/route/date etc from there smile

vikingaero

10,256 posts

168 months

Saturday 8th February 2014
quotequote all
I quite like the B2244 Hastings Road from Hawkhurst to Sedlescombe. Fantastically straight in places to open up a car with good sight lines and overtaking oppos. A few squeezes with narrow bridges, but quite popular with bikers. I even managed to overtake a row of two cars in Mrs V.'s 0.66 litre Mitsubishi. biggrin