Best drives in Kent?

[Dalto123]

littlepaul said:

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

Absolutely - I'll get something posted up

In the meantime I've just bought myself a cheap little tomtom sat nav as you should be able to load routes onto them - so we may not be getting lost

ETA - Dedicated thread so we don't hijack this one

Edited by Dalto123 on Saturday 8th February 20:20

[Carbon Based]

Great thread, so thanks to those who've contributed to the routes.

Does anyone know the state of roads this weekend in the area from Tunbridge Wells down to Rye? Went down a week ago and there was a lot of flooding in the fields but the roads were clear. Have the gales changed that?

[Hol]

vikingaero said:

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.

When I was younger, we used to have timed runs from Maidstone to Hastings down that road.


It was all RWD Escorts, GTE's,, RS Turbos and the odd Cossie or BMW back then.


Good times

[Sticks.]

Carbon Based said:

Does anyone know the state of roads this weekend in the area from Tunbridge Wells down to Rye? Went down a week ago and there was a lot of flooding in the fields but the roads were clear. Have the gales changed that?

I went that way on Friday, via Hawkhurst, Sandhurst etc. The river at Newenden was as full as it's been but the road was OK. SWMBOs sis came that way yesterday too.

FWIW the Cranbrook Road from Sissinghurst (Golfords) to Tenterden is closed for a few weeks, while they sort drains or something. That's the way I normally go, via Smallhythe so it's a pain.

[Red Devil]

sjj84 said:

Sticks said:

Sorry, I missed that 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.

Must be fortunate as I've never seen them with a 'hairdryer' once in the last 7 years, rain or shine.

Dalto123 said:

The Don of Croy said:

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!

If you know the area there is a much better route than going past that dealership.

Sticks. said:

FWIW the Cranbrook Road from Sissinghurst (Golfords) to Tenterden is closed for a few weeks, while they sort drains or something. That's the way I normally go, via Smallhythe so it's a pain.

Doesn't surprise me. They have had temporary lights at various points in the Forestry Commission section numerous times last year.

[zeduffman]

vikingaero said:

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.

Part of my daily commute. Love it

[Dalto123]

Red Devil said:

Dalto123 said:

The Don of Croy said:

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!

If you know the area there is a much better route than going past that dealership.

Would you be suggesting Newick Lane?


Used to drive down there on my way to Heathfield

[Red Devil]

10/10.

My parents' house was on the A267 south of Five Ashes. It used to be a farm and one of the barns had a pit which proved very useful for working on my rally car back in the 60s/70s. Newick Lane was part of my regular test route.

[Dalto123]

Red Devil said:

10/10.

My parents' house was on the A267 south of Five Ashes. It used to be a farm and one of the barns had a pit which proved very useful for working on my rally car back in the 60s/70s. Newick Lane was part of my regular test route.

It's a cracking road - particularly heading towards Heathfield - Found it great fun pushing on in my little Micra along there - particularly the parts where it opened out

[Gandahar]

Ash-GT said:

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?...

Excellent, the last Kent Car club / Pistonheads meet I went on was most interesting ! Probably the fastest A to B I ever went in the Aygo. Just managed to keep it in touch. Wasn't last either due to a few incidents.

I heartily recommend PH join up with the Kent car club again for this, fantastic day out. Not for namby pambies though. If you just want to tootle along this will not be for you.

Stone Street is excellent

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&...

It's a B road that is straight for miles, the impression of speed is magnified a lot.

[Red Devil]

Be careful past the Chequers Inn/Yew Tree Park caravan and camping site.
Pay attention to the lolly on the stick. It's a favourite place for a mobile speed gun.

[klan8456]

Hol said:

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.

Something like this? (Using LCY as a generic East London starting point)

https://goo.gl/maps/C8SoNvS8CPH2

What’s the road quality like? That has always been my biggest issue in Kent

[Sticks.]

The stretch from Smallhythe (not New Hythe) to Sissinghurst is not good, particularly after Tenterden.

[Telephonic]

I Live in Ashford and fancy taking my Mk 1 MX-5 for a spin, nothing too long. Taking in to account some of your suggestions (including Camber especially)
do you think this looks like a food route?

https://goo.gl/maps/Wz164PRLJh32

[Red Devil]

Telephonic said:

do you think this looks like a food route?

Just off it: Cafe on the Quay (formerly the Strand Cafe) in Rye.
https://goo.gl/maps/LZk2xA8wCVS2
Or a little further off: the Bosun's Bite at Rye Harbour.
https://goo.gl/maps/iqth2LG9wAy


Is it a good route? Although I would make one change.
When you reach the A259 at East Guldeford turn right (towards Brookland) instead of left.
https://goo.gl/maps/cNN1aEY2KQE2

[Telephonic]

Red Devil

Thanks

I took the route this morning before I saw your reply.

Totally regret it. A particular highlight was driving alongside Lydd airport, the road was a nightmare, consistent bumps due to cracks running widthways every few feet. I had to pull over and check because I thought I had a flat tire, it was like being on the railway with the constant bang, bang, bang. Most of the rest of it wasn't much better mainly due to the appalling state of the roads, so rough. Was a little disappointed in my Mx as well, the thing almost shook me to death. All in all not what I'd hoped for a nice drive in the early morning

[danllama]

Hello RD!

Being from Essex and recently moved to Bromley, I've felt a bit lost without my usual B roads to let off some steam. This thread has proven very useful in my search for decent roads near to my new locale. I've now got some very good ideas and starting points to go with. Cheers!

[kiethton]

Hi from Beckenham.

Know it’s similar to some of RD’s routes but my normal sees me follow routes broadly:

Bromley - Biggin Hill - westerham - four elms (long way) - chiddingstone Heath - groombrodge and then head in various directions from there

See a blue S2 Exige fee free to give me a wave

[danllama]

Cheers Keithton, I went to the Westerham brewery a couple of weeks ago via Biggin Hill for their curry night which was decent and not a bad drive, appreciate the tip for beyond that! Hopefully spot you in your Exige soon! How does this look?

https://goo.gl/maps/6gkmWjLYnoL2

Edited by danllama on Friday 14th September 15:47

[Red Devil]

danllama said:

Hello RD!

Being from Essex and recently moved to Bromley, I've felt a bit lost without my usual B roads to let off some steam. This thread has proven very useful in my search for decent roads near to my new locale. I've now got some very good ideas and starting points to go with. Cheers!

Hello danllama! You'll find out on 30th.
(awaiting your confirmation elsewhere)