Howdo,
A family friend wants to cycle from Coney Hall (near Bromley) down to New Milton (near Bournemouth) this summer, and has come to me for advice. She's not confident on big roads, and anticipates needing to break the journey with a B&B half way.
The only time I've done anything like this route, I picked up Ditchling and Southampton on the way in, and Bournemouth, Stonehenge, and Basingstoke on the way back. That was a far from direct line, featured some enormous roads, and I recall a good number of people offering very sound advice about which
ones to avoid.
Does anyone have any thoughts about a good route down? Google maps suggests
Banstead, Dorking, Billingshurst, Midhurst, Petersfield, Romsey, New Forest, New Milton.
Is there anything in that which you think she'd be better advised to skip? I distinctly recall Greg telling me that the general rule was to avoid all roads which fit the format A2n or A27n. Also, any recommendations for a good rest stop?
I'll try to coax her online today, and see if we can't close the loop a little.
Cheers for any advice you can offer,
Andy.
Here is a route for you to pass on, it follows mainly small back roads, but in places it needs to use main roads so as to cross Rivers and railways and Motorways.
1. From Coney halls follow minor road south to Join the NCN route 21 South of New Addington. 2.5 mls.
2. Follow NCN 21 for 3/4 Ml.
3. Stay on Minor road for 2.5 mls to join B269.
4. Follow b269 south for 1.5 mls to Roundabout at
Botley Hill.
5. Leave roundabout by the Minor road which runs west along the top of the ridge for 4.5 mls to
Godstone do not turn of of this road as it will lead you down into
Godstone.
6. Go passed the church to the B2236, turn left then first right follow for 1/2 ml to Minor road (Roman Road) cross over and follow to
Bletchingley 2.6 mls.
7. From
Bletchingley turn left and follow minor road South for 3.5 mls to
Outwood.
8. From
Outwood follow signs to
Smallfields for 1.75 miles.
9. From
Smallfields turn Right and follow minor road for 2 mls into
Horley.
10. Follow through
Horley for 2 mls to A23 turn left and follow A23 for 1/4 ml until the
Hookwood roundabout, across roundabout
(there Are cycle paths and traffic lights for a safer way round the junction) Follow signs for 2.5 mls to
Charlwood.
11. Take the third exit left opposite the Parish hall for
Russ hill and follow for 1 3/4 mls to Tee junction ( there is a short sharp hill just after the Windmill) turn Left for 1 1/2 mls to Tee junction
and follow into
Rusper.
12. From
Rusper Ride South along minor road for 5 mls to
Horsham. Rather pleasant town centre.
13. From the Town centre follow the B2237 for 2 mls
Southwater.
14 from
Southwater village centre follow minor road for 2.5 mls to
Barns Green (after 3/4 ml there is a bridle way short cut shown on the map).
15. At
Barns Green turn left for 1/2 ml then Right for 3/4 ml to minor road cross roads, follow for 1.5 mls to A29 turn Left and follow into
Billingshurst.
16. Leave
Billingshurst on the A272 heading west for 2.5 mls for
Wisborough Green ( it is the only short way to cross the River Arun at this point).
17. From Wisborough Green bear Right at the Village green and follow the minor road for 2.5 mls to Kirkford.
18. Pass through
Kirkford and follow the road for 2mls to
Balls Cross.
19. From
Balls Cross follow the road south for 2.75 to
Petworth.
20. Ride South for 2.5 mls along the A285. Turn Right into Minor road signed posted for
Graffham, follow the Meandering series of small roads to
Heyshott and
Cocking about 8 mls.
21. Cross the A286 and follow the minor road to
Bepton, Didling, Treyford, Elsted, East Harting, South Harting, Nursted and
Petersfield. a distance of approx. 10 mls.
22. Leave Petersfield travelling West along the A272 for 2 mls to
Langrish, turn Left and follow to
East Meon, and on to
West Meon to the A32 a distance of 8 mls.
23 Turn Left and follow the A32 for 3.5 mls to
Corhampton turn Right onto the B3035 and follow for4.5 mls to
Bishop's Waltham.
24. At
Bishop's Waltham turn North onto the B2177 and follow for 2.5 mls to
Lower Upham, turn left onto B3037 for 2 mls to
Fair Oak, then remain on the B3037 for 2.5 mls into
Eastleigh.
25. From
Eastleigh leave the town West on the A335 to the Motorway,
Join the
NCN 23 and follow until you turn West onto the
NCN24 and follow for 7 Mls into
Romsey.
26. Leave the town A3090 heading South for 1.5 mls, turn Right into minor road and follow 2 mls to Tee Junction, turn left and follow to
Blackhill.
26. Cross the A36 and follow the Minor road for 3 mls to the Junction with the B3079, crossover and follow minor road the B3078, cross over and follow the minor road as it curves Eastwards follow for 1.5mls to the 4th Righthand junction. Turn Right and follow for 2.5 mls to a tee junction turn left and follow for 1 ml to A31.
27. Pass under the A31 and follow the minor road for 3 mls (becomes the Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive) to the A35.
28. Cross the A35 and follow the minor road for 4 mls (Becomes the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive) to
Brockenhurst.
29. Turn onto the B3055 and follow for 4.5 mls to its Junction with the B3058. Turn left onto B3058 and follow for 3/4 mls to
New Milton Station.
