UK NCN Route 21

NCN Route 21 links London to the Sussex coast, running roughly 145 km from Greenwich to Eastbourne. It blends traffic‑free paths with quiet roads: roll out on the Waterlink Way in southeast London, then pick up the Worth Way to East Grinstead, the Forest Way through the Weald, and the Cuckoo Trail down to Polegate before finishing by the sea in Eastbourne.

Most of it’s paved, with some easy gravel sections—great for hybrids and touring setups. The riding is flat leaving London, gently rolling through Surrey and Kent, and there’s a short, punchy climb near the South Downs before the seaside payoff.

It’s super flexible thanks to frequent rail links (think East Croydon, Redhill, Crawley, East Grinstead, Polegate), so you can break it into day rides or bail if the weather turns. Expect parks, woodland, and old railway paths, plus a dash of urban buzz at the start. Ideal for a coastbound adventure or family‑friendly traffic‑free chunks if you’re short on time.