Orchard Fields is well placed for accessing the local shops and community facilities of Barming and Maidstone. Adjacent to the sites main access is a Tesco Express, just 330m away. Gatland Recreation Ground is just a 4 minute cycle (17 minute walk) away. As a resident of Orchard Fields you are ideally located for accessing many of these local facilities and employment areas on foot or by bicycle.
Getting Around
Click on the image link to a see a plan of the area with typical journey distances and times to key local destinations.
Alternatively use the Travelline website is a great source for planning your journey and offers a variety of options for travel along with maps of the area.
How can Walking and Cycling benefit YOU:
Walking and Cycling are great ways to improve your health and fitness, as well as being good for the environment! Some of the personal benefits of walking and cycling include:
- Improved health – strengthened immune system
- Good for your heart and lungs
- Decreased risk of heart disease
- Increased energy levels
- Weight loss
- Cheaper than filling your car up!
- Cheaper than a gym membership!
- Can count as part of your recommended exercise (5 x 30mins per week).
- Has the potential to cut your risk of heart disease by up to 50% and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The NHS website Change 4 life has loads of ideas to help you get out and be more active, as well as information on how to make healthier food choices.
Resident Cycle Voucher Scheme – Evans Cycles
To encourage you to consider cycling as a realistic and affordable alternative to the car we are offering you a FREE cycle voucher worth £50 (included in your Residents Travel Pack) to help you get started. The FREE cycle voucher can be used to purchase anything from Evans Cycles.
Cycle Training
CycleSafe offers a wide range of Cycle Training in Kent to help get more people cycling, more often and more safely. Whether you’re a complete beginner, would like to boost your confidence or want to develop more advanced skills, it’s easy to get some training with CycleSafe that fits your needs.
Share your walk or ride: walkBUDi / bikeBUDi
If you would like some company on your bike ride or walk to work, the BUDi scheme can help you find people travelling on a similar route to you. With these 3 simple steps you could find someone to share your journey with:
- Register for Free on the site (over 18 years only)
- Add the journeys you would like to share
- Search for suitable trips you can share
Log on to WalkBUDi or BikeBUDi to start sharing your journey!
Local Cycle Group
For those who fancy meeting some new people and taking in the local scenery, try joining a local cycle group such as
West Kent CTC Group. The CTC group organise rides for all abilities with listings on their website of forthcoming rides and distances.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Have you considered cycling to work, but you don’t have a bike. The government cycle to work scheme provides the opportunity for you to purchase a bike through your employer and make savings on the VAT. Savings can vary but you can save approximately 40% on the purchase of your bike. For more information see the cycle scheme website.