Kent is called 'The Garden of England' and this route will show you why. With its rolling hills and fields of wildflowers, it's a scenic out-and-back to the iron bridge at Rochester. Start at the Penge CC HQ, SE20 Cycles, and head for the Pilgrims' Way. Follow the Way to tick off the miles from Otford to Trottiscliffe.
The route crosses the River Medway twice, once at Peters Village, and then again as you roll over the iron bridge at Rochester, underneath Rochester Castle. These landmarks aside, Rochester itself serves as a reminder that it's more about the journey than the destination. Dive back into the Kent lanes, with a stop and some sightseeing in Eynsford, with its aqueduct, Roman villa, and Lullingstone Castle.
This route has some busier sections of A roads and dual carriageways, so we'd only recommend it for riders with established road confidence. These sections are relatively short, and fine if you're comfortable negotiating traffic. On the plus side, you get a good road surface and can pick the pace up.
Thanks to Grant Burt of Penge CC for recommending this one, casually describing it as a "training loop".