Bewl East Route
Route Summary
This route (like the West Route) starts at the Visitor's Centre. It takes you 5¼ miles to Grebe Corner, G on the map. It's fairly easy going (mud permitting!), not too hilly and the surface is mostly soil or grass. There's a lovely bit through the woods where it's wise to watch out for tree roots.
Here's a handy hint, for the East Route; If:
 | you've brought your own bikes; |
| you've brought Granny and/or children: |
| you find that Granny and/or the children aren't going to make it back from Grebe Corner; |
| you don't want to turn round too early, |
why not leave them picnicking at Ketley Pond, D, go back to the car on your own and then drive round via the A21 and Rosemary Lane to collect them? I did!
The Route
Starting from the Visitor's Centre, you cross the dam using the lower track. It's 1/3 mile to:
Point A. The dam is made from local clay and sandstone, faced with concrete slabs. You'll see a tall draw off tower and a shorter overflow tower. During dry periods, water is sometimes released into the spillway to join the River Medway at Yalding. At weekends especially, you can enjoy watching the yacht races from here. From here it's another 1/3 mile to:
Point B. This is Chingley Wood, mixed coppice, once used to fuel local ironworks. Another 1 1/3 miles takes you to:
Point C. Watch out here - I've not see it happen but apparently water can appear at a rate of knots down the cascades at Goose Creek. This water will have been piped from the Medway, along a 12 mile pipe. There are plenty of Warning signs about. Stay on the track! In another 3/4 mile you'll be at:
Point D. Ketley pond on the East is connected to the reservoir by a culvert under Rosemary Lane. If you are ornithologically minded, watch out for Snipe, Greenshank and other wading birds on the pond. Its then 1½ miles to:
Point E. Overlooking Tinker's Marsh, you'll be surrounded by willow trees which are used to supply local cricket bat factories. I 've seen a lot of trout rising here, too. Another ½ mile brings you to:
Point F. Overlooking Dunster's Bay. Dunster's Mill house dates back to the 14th Century and was dismantled, moved 500 yards and rebuilt, during the making of the reservoir. It's now only ½ mile to:
Grebe Corner, Point G. If you decide to continue from here to do the full round water ride (which is also the West route in reverse, of course), a couple of notes of caution - you shortly join some lanes where you could meet a car or two and there are some pretty steep hills, both up and down between here and Point I.
Click on the bike for the West Route ride.
Click the Map Page if you want it again.
Animated cyclist image Copyright Microsoft Design Gallery
Page last updated 25/04/2002