Fowlmead Country Park
Fowlmead is one of the best if not the best mountain biking venue in the south east of england. Fowlmead is an amazing place with a wide variety of terrain from, colliery spoil, to dirt, mud and grass, there are areas for all ages and abilities. They host a range of MTB events from their Winter Warmer Series to the Summer Sizzler Series, they also have endurance racing for the more elite riders. Most of the races have a childrens race aswell, which is good if you are trying to get your kids into competative cycling early.
This is just part of one of the Summer Sizzler Races.
Video by Connor Holden one of our Moutain Bikers.
Video by Connor Holden one of our Moutain Bikers.
The Road Track
Snaking across the park is a national standard high specification tarmac road-race track described by British Cycling as “the best in the country”. The 3.5 km circuit is 6-8 metres wide and can be split into separate 1.5km and 2km circuits, or to be ridden in its entirety as a 3.5 km (2.17 miles) track. (Can be seen on map at bottom of page.)
"Its the best i've ever ridden!" says Ashley Holden one of our reviewers, "Perfect for recumbents, time trialing, and road enthusiasts alike."
"Its the best i've ever ridden!" says Ashley Holden one of our reviewers, "Perfect for recumbents, time trialing, and road enthusiasts alike."
How To Find Fowlmead
Fowlmead Country Park, off A258, Sandwich Road, Sholden, Nr Deal, Kent CT14 0BF
GPS Coordinates: E 1.36876º, N51. 23670º
OS Grid Reference: TR352, 540
By Road
Fowlmead Country Park can be found on the A258 approximately 2 miles from Deal, Kent. It is within
10 miles of the A2 at Whitfield.
By Rail
The nearest train stations are in Deal and Sandwich. (Sandwich is closest)
Entrances
There are two entrances into Fowlmead Country Park.
The main front entrance is off the main roundabout at Sholden near to Deal on the A258 Deal to
Sandwich road. The roundabout is located between Cottington Fishing Lakes and the Old Lorry Farm Shop.
The rear gate entrance (Colliers’ Gate) is a 15 minute walk or 5 minute cycle ride from Southwall Road, Deal.
Please note that access is limited at Colliers’ Gate to pedestrians and cyclists, and that disabled access is limited at this entrance gate.
GPS Coordinates: E 1.36876º, N51. 23670º
OS Grid Reference: TR352, 540
By Road
Fowlmead Country Park can be found on the A258 approximately 2 miles from Deal, Kent. It is within
10 miles of the A2 at Whitfield.
By Rail
The nearest train stations are in Deal and Sandwich. (Sandwich is closest)
Entrances
There are two entrances into Fowlmead Country Park.
The main front entrance is off the main roundabout at Sholden near to Deal on the A258 Deal to
Sandwich road. The roundabout is located between Cottington Fishing Lakes and the Old Lorry Farm Shop.
The rear gate entrance (Colliers’ Gate) is a 15 minute walk or 5 minute cycle ride from Southwall Road, Deal.
Please note that access is limited at Colliers’ Gate to pedestrians and cyclists, and that disabled access is limited at this entrance gate.
Rules and Regulations
All visitors are required:
- To take responsibility for themselves and for their property.
- To not walk on the tarmac road race cycle track, and to cross only at the designated crossing-points.
- To ensure that children are supervised appropriately.
- To exercise extra caution in bad weather and near deep water.
- To not start fires or light barbecues in any areas of the park.
- To not operate remote-controlled cars, planes or boats in any areas of the park.
- Cyclists are required:
- To wear cycle helmets.
- To ride in the direction indicated by the arrows on the tarmac cycle track.
- To cycle on the left to allow faster cyclists to overtake.
- Dog walkers are required:
- To keep all dogs on leads at all times.
- To collect and dispose of dog waste in the dog litter bins.
Cycle Hire and Entertainment
Cycle hire prices are as follows:
Adults’ bikes *£3.50 for the 1st hour (I believe they also have BMX's now for the Pump Track)
Children’s bikes *£3.50 for the 1st hour
Trailer bike (Tagalong) *£2.50 for the 1st hour
Trailer buggy *£3.50 for the 1st hour
*then £2.50 per hour thereafter
Hire of a cycle will automatically include a helmet. All under-18s must wear
a cycle helmet at all times. All hirers are advised to wear a cycle helmet at all
times and will be asked to sign to acknowledge that they have been offered
cycle helmets to wear.
We also have four child seats which will be available at no extra charge.
These are only available on our hire cycles on a first-come first-served basis,
and are not available separately for hire for use on customers’ own bikes.
Our bike hire is open every day from 9.30am to 6 pm (ie. the last hire period
will be from 5pm ‘til 6pm).
Payment method is cash, and we will require a deposit. Acceptable deposits
for cycle hire will be £50 cash or the hirer’s car keys.
Terms and conditions (not exhaustive):
Hirers exceeding the agreed and paid for hire session will incur a further charge of
£2.00 per extra half-hour. Loss or damage to the equipment will result in the loss of
all/part of the deposit. Frame and fork loss or damage or loss of cycle will be paid
for at cost. A price list of costs to be paid for damage to our hire bikes is published
at the Fowlmead Country Park cycle hire centre and at www.fowlmead.co.uk .
Also they have recently introduced a play ground for children of all ages, which can be found near the Vistiors Centre. There is also a two new Pump Tracks at the park which are located to the right of the car parking area.
Adults’ bikes *£3.50 for the 1st hour (I believe they also have BMX's now for the Pump Track)
Children’s bikes *£3.50 for the 1st hour
Trailer bike (Tagalong) *£2.50 for the 1st hour
Trailer buggy *£3.50 for the 1st hour
*then £2.50 per hour thereafter
Hire of a cycle will automatically include a helmet. All under-18s must wear
a cycle helmet at all times. All hirers are advised to wear a cycle helmet at all
times and will be asked to sign to acknowledge that they have been offered
cycle helmets to wear.
We also have four child seats which will be available at no extra charge.
These are only available on our hire cycles on a first-come first-served basis,
and are not available separately for hire for use on customers’ own bikes.
Our bike hire is open every day from 9.30am to 6 pm (ie. the last hire period
will be from 5pm ‘til 6pm).
Payment method is cash, and we will require a deposit. Acceptable deposits
for cycle hire will be £50 cash or the hirer’s car keys.
Terms and conditions (not exhaustive):
Hirers exceeding the agreed and paid for hire session will incur a further charge of
£2.00 per extra half-hour. Loss or damage to the equipment will result in the loss of
all/part of the deposit. Frame and fork loss or damage or loss of cycle will be paid
for at cost. A price list of costs to be paid for damage to our hire bikes is published
at the Fowlmead Country Park cycle hire centre and at www.fowlmead.co.uk .
Also they have recently introduced a play ground for children of all ages, which can be found near the Vistiors Centre. There is also a two new Pump Tracks at the park which are located to the right of the car parking area.
Listed on here is a "Vistitors Centre" within which there is a brilliant cafe.