Leaving the beautiful cathedral city of Canterbury the 'Crab and Winkle' cycle route mostly follows an old disused railway line. George Stephenson and his son Robert built the Invicta, the locomotive which ran on this line. The route passes through the ancient woodland of the Blean, and the fascinating 'Winding Pond'. The pond was built in 1829 to store the water that the steam winding engines needed to pull the passenger carriages up the hill out of Whitstable where Thomas Telford built the harbour. Isambard Kingdom Brunel inspected the route's railway tunnel, which is now closed off, the first in the world to take passenger trains.
Whitstable, with its working harbour, strange alleyways and quirky shops has restaurants galore to sustain you for the return trip. Yes, there is a hill up/down from the town at each end, but the main part of the route is fairly flat and wonderfully relaxing.
crabandwinkle.org/past.htm
Google map: bit.ly/HgoHiq
Iconic but still accessible cathedral - historic but with meaning for the every day person. Just follow the spires.
www.canterbury-cathedral.org/
wayfarersall.net/2009/07/22/canterbury-cathedral
Google map: tinyurl.com/3y6mc4a
Excellent accommodation, reasonably priced, amiable host, everything within the old town (including Canterbury Cathedral) within easy walking distance.
tinyurl.com/3vlht4
28 Castle Street
Canterbury, Kent CT1 2PT
Telephone (01227) 761897
A good idea for a weekend city break with all the family is Canterbury. Visit the Cathedral and other historic churches like St Martin's church and take a boat tour along the Stour river.
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
Search Been there
