South East

South East

Check out our favourite biker routes based in the South East of England…

Winchester > Beachy Head (A272, A275, A27)
Total distance: 230 miles (approx)
Time taken: Full day

Heading out of England’s former capital city, Winchester, the run past Cheesefoot Head towards Petersfield on the A272 features some stunning scenery as the undulating road rises and falls, swooping and twisting its way through the South Downs.

Before too long you’ll come to a crossroads by the West Meon Hut public house. However, we’d eschew the promise of decent pub fare and instead turn right. On a warm sunny evening, this a great spot to mingle with dozens of like-minded bikers, fill up with fuel or pop into the biker-run Loomies Moto Café for a cuppa and a burger.

The next part of the route is an absolute joy to ride, mainly thanks to the combination of near-perfect constant radius bends and mostly decent surface all the way to the roundabout where the A272 meets the A3.

Turn left and head up the A3 for a junction, then back onto the A272 towards Midhurst and on to Petworth, for mile after mile of wide sweeping bends en route to Billingshurst where the open fields and farmland become beautiful shady wooded glades that are ideal for a snack stop.

From there, start heading south towards Haywards Heath, then drop down the A275 towards Lewes for the final leg of the trip towards Eastbourne on the busier A27. Last time we were there we found the road down to Beachy Head a good test of suspension — hopefully the promise of resurfacing has since been fulfilled. Either way, the view once you’re there is more than worth it. We love this ride so much we tend to head back the same way to enjoy the fun all over again. However, if you’re short of time, the quick run along the coastal A27/M27 will have you back towards Winchester in double-quick time.

Quick instructions

  • Pick up the A272 from Winchester and head towards Petersfield
  • Turn left onto the A3 signposted for London for a junction, then continue along the A272 towards Midhurst
  • Just after Haywards Heath turn right onto the A275
  • Follow the A27 to Eastbourne, then follow the brown tourist signs to Beachy Head
  • Ride back along the A27 or repeat in the reverse order if you’ve enough time.

Take a look on our map…

Southampton > Bournemouth > New Forest > Beaulieu > Southampton (A35/A337/B3054/A326/A35)

Total distance – 80 miles (approx)
Time taken – An exhilarating 2-3 hour evening run, or take all day to make the most of the coast

Quick instructions

  • Bournemouth is well signed from west Southampton but take the A35 and avoid the M27 motorway
  • Stay on the A35 until you get to Christchurch
  • Beware of the speed cameras on the run into Bournemouth
  • Follow signs for any of the many beaches – they’re all very good
  • On the way back, head for New Milton, then Lymington, then Beaulieu
  • Take the fast Hythe road back to Southampton

Like the sound of this route? Take a look on the map…

Chichester > Box Hill > Guildford > Haslemere > Chichester (A29/A24/A25/A248/A286)

Total distance – 140 miles (approx)
Time taken – A Sunday afternoon out — though allow time for checking out all the immaculate bikes at Box Hill

Quick instructions

  • Head out on the A27 towards Arundel
  • Pick up the A29 as soon as you see signs
  • Head to Dorking then pick up tourist signs for Box Hill
  • Take the A25 towards Guildford, then the A286 to Haslemere
  • Follow the A286 all the way back to Chichester

Take a look at the route now!

Motorcycle riding through south downs

Woodham Ferrers > Burnham-on-Crouch > Southminster > Woodham Ferrers (B1012/B1010/B1021/B1018)

Total distance – 25 miles (approx)
Time taken – A quick breakfast run to blow away the cobwebs

Quick instructions

  • Go east out of Woodham Ferrers on the B1012
  • Pick up the B1010 to Burnham-on-Crouch
  • Head for Southminster on B1021
  • Follow the B1018 until you see signs for Woodham Ferrers

Check out the route on our map… 

Route 5 – Canterbury – Ashford – Rye – New Romney – Hythe – Folkestone – Canterbury  (A28/A268/A259/A260/A2)

Total Distance – 95 miles (approx)
Time Taken – A good afternoon spent in the garden of England

Quick instructions

  • Follow the signs out of Canterbury for Ashford (A28)
  • Go straight over the motorway and head for Tenterden
  • Keep your wits about you and pick up signs to Rye
  • Follow signs for the A259/Folkestone
  • Take the winding A260 back to the A2
  • Blast along the dual carriageway back to Canterbury

Check out the route now!

Fareham > Alton > New Alresford > Bishops Waltham > Wickham > Fareham (A32/A31/B335/B2177/A32)

Total distance – 55 miles (approx)
Time taken – A couple of hours in a quaint corner of Hampshire

Quick instructions

  • Ride over the M27 motorway and onto the A32 towards Wickham
  • Follow the signs for Alton
  • Turn left onto the A31 at Alton and follow signs to Winchester
  • Ride one junction of the M3 (10-11) and then follow signs for Twyford
  • Pick up the B2177 signposted Bishop Waltham
  • Go through Wickham and back towards Fareham

See what it looks like on our handy map… 

Colchester > Maldon > Chelmsford > Colchester (B1026/A414/A12)

Total distance – 37 miles (approx)
Time taken – An hour or so

Quick instructions

  • Ride out of Colchester on the B1026
  • Head for Heybridge
  • Pick up the A414 to Chelmsford
  • Into Chelmsford or back the fun way?

Check it out on the map!

Take a look at some more popular biker routes

Want to add your favourite route in the South East? Mention it in the comments below and we’ll add it to our guide!

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2 comments on “South East”

avatarJamie Kigginsays:

Ashford – Tunbridge Wells – turners Hill – East grinstead – Haywards heath – Heathfield – battle – udimore – rye – Ashford ….. A ride I do lots with plenty of twisties

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