National Cycle Route 21
Encyclopedia
National Cycle Route 21 is part of the United Kingdom
's National Cycle Network
. It runs from Greenwich
in South-East London
south to Crawley
, then east to Groombridge
and south to Eastbourne
, with a short final loop northwards again to its end at Pevensey
.
The route is approximately 150km (93 miles) long. Several sections are not suitable for road bikes.
Links to:
The route forms much of the English section of the Avenue Verte
, a planned long-distance cycle route linking London and Paris.
| Lewisham
| Catford
| New Addington
| Redhill
| Horley
| Gatwick Airport
| Crawley
This section starts by leaving NCR 4 beside the River Thames
and following the Waterlink Way
south through South-East London, generally on well-surfaced bridleways and residential roads and climbing gently. On leaving Greater London the route quickly become more rugged, following a number of paths and roads, including the long access road to Woldingham School
. After passing under the M25 motorway
the track quality improves again and the route heads west to Redhill, before again heading south, close by the London-Brighton
railway. It passes directly underneath the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, weaves through the runway approach lights and continues south to Crawley, meeting NCR 20
.
| Crawley Down
| East Grinstead
| Groombridge
This section is largely on well-made railway paths through attractive countryside and consists of the Worth Way immediately followed by the Forest Way
. It finishes just south of Groombridge, with a short signposted spur to the village itself.
| Rotherfield
| Mayfield | Heathfield
| Hailsham
| Polegate
| Eastbourne
The first half of this section is on undulating country roads, passing by Eridge Station
. About one mile before Eridge Station is a spur connecting Crowborough
with the route. After Mayfield there is a steep off-road section. The route then follows the whole length of the Cuckoo Trail
from Heathfield to Eastbourne, crossing NCR 2 at Polegate.
| Pevensey
The route follows the coast up from the east side of Eastbourne, passing the harbour, to Pevensey, where it meets NCR 2.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
. It runs from Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
in South-East London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
south to Crawley
Crawley
Crawley is a town and local government district with Borough status in West Sussex, England. It is south of Charing Cross, north of Brighton and Hove, and northeast of the county town of Chichester, covers an area of and had a population of 99,744 at the time of the 2001 Census.The area has...
, then east to Groombridge
Groombridge
thumb|right|A house in GroombridgeGroombridge is a village of about 1,600 people. It straddles the border between Kent and East Sussex, in England. The nearest large town is Tunbridge Wells, about away by road....
and south to Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
, with a short final loop northwards again to its end at Pevensey
Pevensey
Pevensey is a village and civil parish in the Wealden district of East Sussex, England. The main village is located 5 miles north-east of Eastbourne, one mile inland from Pevensey Bay. The settlement of Pevensey Bay forms part of the parish.-Geography:The village of Pevensey is located on...
.
The route is approximately 150km (93 miles) long. Several sections are not suitable for road bikes.
Links to:
- National Cycle Route 4 at Greenwich which is the route's start.
- National Cycle Route 1 at Greenwich is a few hundred metres from the route's start.
- National Cycle Route 2 at PolegatePolegatePolegate is a town and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England, United Kingdom. It is located five miles north of the seaside resort of Eastbourne, and is part of the greater area of that town. Although once a railway settlement, its importance as such has now waned with...
and at Pevensey at the route's finish. - National Cycle Route 20National Cycle Route 20National Cycle Route 20 is part of the United Kingdom's National Cycle Network. It runs from Crawley in Sussex southwards to Brighton. In future, the route will also connect northwards to London starting alongside the river Thames at Wandsworth, while linking to National Cycle Route 21 for a...
at Crawley.
The route forms much of the English section of the Avenue Verte
Avenue Verte
The Avenue Verte/Greenway is a joint Anglo-French initiative helped by Europe, to develop a largely traffic free route between Paris and London for cyclists, walkers and horse riders...
, a planned long-distance cycle route linking London and Paris.
Greenwich to Crawley
GreenwichGreenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
| Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
| Catford
Catford
Catford is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Architecture:...
| New Addington
New Addington
New Addington is an area on the edge of South London in the London Borough of Croydon. It is a large local authority estate surrounded by open countryside, woodland and golf courses. The Prime Meridian crosses the eastern edge of New Addington...
| Redhill
Redhill, Surrey
Redhill is a town in the borough of Reigate and Banstead, Surrey, England and is part of the London commuter belt. Redhill and the adjacent town of Reigate form a single urban area.-History:...
| Horley
Horley
Horley is a town in Surrey, England, situated south of the twin towns of Reigate and Redhill, and north of Gatwick Airport and Crawley.With fast links by train to London from Horley railway station, it has grown popular with commuters in recent years...
| Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is located 3.1 miles north of the centre of Crawley, West Sussex, and south of Central London. Previously known as London Gatwick,In 2010, the name changed from London Gatwick Airport to Gatwick Airport...
| Crawley
Crawley
Crawley is a town and local government district with Borough status in West Sussex, England. It is south of Charing Cross, north of Brighton and Hove, and northeast of the county town of Chichester, covers an area of and had a population of 99,744 at the time of the 2001 Census.The area has...
This section starts by leaving NCR 4 beside the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
and following the Waterlink Way
Waterlink Way
Waterlink Way is a long distance cyclepath route in London.It leads from Cator Park, New Beckenham to The Cutty Sark ship in Greenwich. A length of 7 miles....
south through South-East London, generally on well-surfaced bridleways and residential roads and climbing gently. On leaving Greater London the route quickly become more rugged, following a number of paths and roads, including the long access road to Woldingham School
Woldingham School
Woldingham School is an all-girls, independent, Roman Catholic, boarding and day school in Woldingham, Surrey, England.-History:The school was founded as the Convent of the Sacred Heart in 1842 in Berrymead, London by the Society of the Sacred Heart...
. After passing under the M25 motorway
M25 motorway
The M25 motorway, or London Orbital, is a orbital motorway that almost encircles Greater London, England, in the United Kingdom. The motorway was first mooted early in the 20th century. A few sections, based on the now abandoned London Ringways plan, were constructed in the early 1970s and it ...
the track quality improves again and the route heads west to Redhill, before again heading south, close by the London-Brighton
Brighton Main Line
The Brighton Main Line is a British railway line from London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton. It is about 50 miles long, and is electrified throughout. Trains are operated by Southern, First Capital Connect, and Gatwick Express, now part of Southern.-Original proposals:There were no fewer...
railway. It passes directly underneath the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, weaves through the runway approach lights and continues south to Crawley, meeting NCR 20
National Cycle Route 20
National Cycle Route 20 is part of the United Kingdom's National Cycle Network. It runs from Crawley in Sussex southwards to Brighton. In future, the route will also connect northwards to London starting alongside the river Thames at Wandsworth, while linking to National Cycle Route 21 for a...
.
Crawley to Groombridge
CrawleyCrawley
Crawley is a town and local government district with Borough status in West Sussex, England. It is south of Charing Cross, north of Brighton and Hove, and northeast of the county town of Chichester, covers an area of and had a population of 99,744 at the time of the 2001 Census.The area has...
| Crawley Down
Crawley Down
Crawley Down is a village in the Mid Sussex district of West Sussex, England. There is one church, one school, and a number of social groups. It lies seven miles from Gatwick Airport. Nearest railway stations are Three Bridges and East Grinstead...
| East Grinstead
East Grinstead
East Grinstead is a town and civil parish in the northeastern corner of Mid Sussex, West Sussex in England near the East Sussex, Surrey, and Kent borders. It lies south of London, north northeast of Brighton, and east northeast of the county town of Chichester...
| Groombridge
Groombridge
thumb|right|A house in GroombridgeGroombridge is a village of about 1,600 people. It straddles the border between Kent and East Sussex, in England. The nearest large town is Tunbridge Wells, about away by road....
This section is largely on well-made railway paths through attractive countryside and consists of the Worth Way immediately followed by the Forest Way
Forest Way
The Forest Way is a linear Country park providing walking, cycling, horse riding and the quiet enjoyment of the countryside. It runs for around 16 km from East Grinstead to Groombridge....
. It finishes just south of Groombridge, with a short signposted spur to the village itself.
Groombridge to Eastbourne
GroombridgeGroombridge
thumb|right|A house in GroombridgeGroombridge is a village of about 1,600 people. It straddles the border between Kent and East Sussex, in England. The nearest large town is Tunbridge Wells, about away by road....
| Rotherfield
Rotherfield
Rotherfield is a village and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. It is one of the largest parishes in East Sussex. There are three villages in the parish: Rotherfield, Mark Cross, and Eridge.-Etymology:...
| Mayfield | Heathfield
Heathfield, East Sussex
Heathfield is a small market town, and the principal settlement in the civil parish of Heathfield and Waldron in the Wealden District of East Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, England.-Location:...
| Hailsham
Hailsham
Hailsham is a civil parish and the largest of the five main towns in the Wealden district of East Sussex, England. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the town of Hailsham has had a long history of industry and agriculture...
| Polegate
Polegate
Polegate is a town and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England, United Kingdom. It is located five miles north of the seaside resort of Eastbourne, and is part of the greater area of that town. Although once a railway settlement, its importance as such has now waned with...
| Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
The first half of this section is on undulating country roads, passing by Eridge Station
Eridge railway station
Eridge railway station serves a rural district around Eridge in East Sussex. Mainline train services from the station are provided by Southern, and the station is on the Uckfield branch of the Oxted Line. Also heritage services connecting to Groombridge, High Rocks and Tunbridge Wells West are run...
. About one mile before Eridge Station is a spur connecting Crowborough
Crowborough
The highest point in the town is 242 metres above sea level. This summit is the highest point of the High Weald and second highest point in East Sussex . Its relative height is 159 m, meaning Crowborough qualifies as one of England's Marilyns...
with the route. After Mayfield there is a steep off-road section. The route then follows the whole length of the Cuckoo Trail
Cuckoo Trail
The Cuckoo Trail is an footpath and cycleway which runs from Hampden Park to Heathfield in East Sussex. It passes through the towns of Polegate and Hailsham, as well as the villages of Hellingly and Horam.- History :...
from Heathfield to Eastbourne, crossing NCR 2 at Polegate.
Eastbourne to Pevensey
EastbourneEastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
| Pevensey
Pevensey
Pevensey is a village and civil parish in the Wealden district of East Sussex, England. The main village is located 5 miles north-east of Eastbourne, one mile inland from Pevensey Bay. The settlement of Pevensey Bay forms part of the parish.-Geography:The village of Pevensey is located on...
The route follows the coast up from the east side of Eastbourne, passing the harbour, to Pevensey, where it meets NCR 2.