A Sunday Morning Bike Ride from Broomfield to Reculver, Minnis Bay & St.Nicholas-at-Wade.

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Here is a photographic record of a Sunday morning bike ride I often take.

These photos were taken in June 2006.

I start the ride at the end of Ladyfields and turn left into Broomfield Road. Beyond are the fields that stretch as far as Canterbury.

I head along Broomfield Road past the Pond and out into the fields towards Reculver.

After crossing the Thanet Way, I turn left down a track towards Bishopstone.

After reaching the end of Bishopstone Glen, I head out over the downs towards Reculver in the East. The Reculver Towers are just visible on the horizon.

I reach Reculver and ride pass the Towers.

I head down to the sea wall. There is now a 3 mile ride towards Minnis Bay.

The ride along the sea wall heads East towards Minnis Bay, Birchington and Margate.

The beach here is shingle going down to mud and sand when the tide is out.

In the spring many different species of waders can be seen feeding on the flats at low water.

Looking back West you can see the Reculver Towers in the distance.

Here the land is very flat.

The Isle of Thanet’s boundary is at the River Wantsum. The River no longer has an estuary into the sea. However, there are many ditches criss crossing the flat lands of the Isle of Thanet.

In the summer it is a hot and open land.

In the winter it can be extremely windy and bleak.

Half way along the sea wall between Reculver and Minnis Bay, remains of the old Wantsum estuary can be seen.

It is now a land locked river and the estuary has formed a shallow lagoon.

The lagoon offers an ideal habitat for many different types of waders.

Just before Minnis Bay, I turn off on to a track towards St Nicholas-at-Wade and head off along the bridle path down towards the railway (Ramsgate to Victoria line).

Again it is very flat here with drainage ditches covering most of the land.

I’m heading South now.

After crossing the railway, farmland can be seen either side of the track.

At the end of the track there is a road leading away from the coast up a smooth incline towards the Thanet Way.

Here a field of ripening wheat can be seen behind a hedge of cow parsley.

At the end of the road there is a footbridge that crosses the Thanet Way (a dual carriageway).

This photo was taken from the bridge and is looking towards St Nicholas-at-Wade.

There is a large stables complex on the left.

I head down into St Nicholas-at-Wade village and then turn through St Nicholas Court Farm yard.

I now head back West into agricultural fields.

I reach a small bridge that crosses the River Wantsum again.

It is very tranquil here.

I continue towards the village of Marshside.

Just before I get to Marshside I take a slight detour and head off to Marshside fishery to take a quick look at the lake.

No one is fishing this morning.

I’m on the last few miles of the ride now. I leave Marshside and head uphill towards Chislet.

Then its on up to Highstead and finally back to Broomfield.

The total ride is about 12½ miles.

A map of the route

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