The Best Cycling Holidays in the UK
UK cycling offers something for everyone. From mountain bike holidays and national cycle paths to guided cycling tours and a day of cycling during a trip away, you are guaranteed to see some of the most beautiful parts of the UK. Whether you are choosing to go it alone on a self-guided journey and follow detailed maps or join a bike tour offering luggage transfers, there is something for everyone looking for a cycling holiday in the UK.
1 Day Bike Tour of London
Level: Easy
Length: Up to 4 hours
Start Point: Queensway Tube Station (Fat Tire) or any Docking Station (Santander Bike Hire)
If you are visiting England's capital, there is a lot to see in one day. So, instead of being stuck on the tube or a bus, why not explore the city by bike? Hire a Santander bike from one of more than 750 docking stations around the city or join a guided tour. Fat Tire has 4 bike tours to choose from so you can explore royal London or journey along the River Thames. If you fancy a more leisurely ride, Hyde Park is the perfect place to enjoy a cycling break away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
2 Day Suffolk Circular
Level: Easy
Length: 44 miles
Start Point: Aldercar Farm, Needham Market
With peaceful meadows, nature reserves, villages and medieval towns, the Suffolk Circular route is beautiful and historical. Cycle along country lanes through the Suffolk countryside and stop at Debenham medieval market town, Letheringham, Helmingham and enjoy an overnight stay at Framlingham. With lots of historical sites along the way, marvel at Needham Market church, Saxtead Green's post mill, Helmingham Hall Gardens, Framlingham Castle and Easton's red-brick wall which once surrounded a Queen Anne Mansion.
3 Day Lake District Single Tracks
Level: Challenging
Length: 104 miles
Start Point: Windermere
With high peaked mountains and vast lakes, England's largest national park is perfect for a mountain bike holiday. Exploring tricky woodland terrain, rocky single tracks and tough mountain passes, this is a challenging route with technical climbs and rocky descents. Starting off gently from Windermere, cycle around Kentmere to the ferry then pass through the charming village of Hawkshead and Grizedale Forest. Circle around Coniston on rocky single tracks and tackle tricky single tracks on the way to Ambleside before heading back to Windermere.
4 Day Coast to Coast
Level: Challenging
Length: 140 miles
Start Point: Whitehaven
From Whitehaven on the Irish Sea to Tynemouth on the North Sea, this cycle route takes you from the west coast of England to the east. Starting from the edge of the Lake District, this route takes you through the wild and wonderful landscapes of the north of England. Cycle along disused railways, winding roads, steep hills, rivers and through vast moorlands and valleys. Stop for refreshments at tranquil hamlets and villages as you cycle through the Pennines across the width of England on the famous C2C route with Explore!
5 Day Loch Ness and The Highlands
Level: Moderate
Length: 73.5 miles
Start Point: Inverness
Take the opportunity to visit Inverness Castle before a stunning cycling holiday with Headwater. Follow Great Glen Way, crossing the Caledonian Canal towards Fort Augustus before stopping at Dores and circling back to Inverness. Pass forests, rivers, lochs and steep hillsides and take in the stunning scenery along the way. Climb to the Suidhe Chuimein Viewpoint, take a detour to the incredible 140ft Falls of Foyers waterfall, Cawdor Castle, where Macbeth is set, and past the magnificent Nairn viaduct.
6 Day Cotswolds Cycle
Level: Moderate
Length: 81 miles
Start Point: Moreton-in-Marsh
The circular bike ride through the Cotswolds, with Exodus Travels, takes you through some of the areas most popular villages. Passing through Burton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden and Winchcombe, this route follows country lanes through the Cotswolds. With so many beautiful villages, there is always somewhere to stop for lunch, a cup of tea or a well earned pint at a local pub. You can also visit Sudeley Castle, the final resting place od Katherine Parr, and Broadway Tower Country Park along the way.
7 Day Classic Cornwall
Level: Easy
Length: 94 miles
Start Point: Bodmin
Take to the Camel Trail, Cornish Way and West Country Way on a cycling break in Cornwall with Macs Adventure. With rugged coastlines, ancient countryside and seaside villages, Cornwall offers peaceful cycle tracks and breathtaking views. Starting and finishing in Bodmin, this circular route takes you past the Eden Project, Padstow for a great fish and chips, the Luxulyan Valley woods, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the popular surfing spot, Newquay. Whilst you're in Cornwall, you absolutely cannot miss out on a traditional Cornish cream tea, a pasty and a great local pint.
8 Day North Yorkshire Moors & Coast
Level: Moderate
Length: 195 miles
Start Point: York
With plenty of time to explore York before or after your cycling tour, this route takes you through the North Yorkshire Moors and along the north-east coast of England. Explore heather-covered moors, wide-open dales and quiet country roads. Take on some mountain biking over the Cleveland and Hambleton hills for some amazing off-road biking in the north of England. Discover hidden market towns, stone-built villages and the seaside towns of Scarborough and Whitby along the way.
9 Day
Level: Challenging
Length: 214 miles
Start Point: Inverness
A circular tour starting and ending in Inverness takes you through mountains and past lochs and glens in the Scottish Highlands. Take on singletrack paths, forests, steep climbs and steady descents through Inverness, Fort Augustus, Struy, Inchbae, Ullapool, Poolewe and Achnashellach. Pass under the famous Thomas Telford bridge, ride through the Glen Affric nature reserve and enjoy magnificent mountain and sea views. There are also some planned rest days on the Redspokes trip so you can really enjoy some of the stunning places you get to visit.
10 Day Hadrian's Cycleway & Coast and Castles
Level: Moderate
Length: 288 miles
Start Point: Newcastle
Following Hadrian's Wall, exploring dramatic coastlines and countryside and passing some breathtaking castles, this historic cycling route has something for everyone. Cycle along sandy dunes and beaches on the Northumberland coast, pass Warkworth, Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh castles and along the Tweed Valley and Moorfoot Hills before arriving in Edinburgh. Combining two long-distance cycle routes, history and stunning scenery, this cycling holiday with Skedaddle is definitely one for the bucket list.
If your chosen cycle route passes through multiple towns or cities, you will, of course, have to take a tent or arrange your own accommodation if you are not booking with a tour group. You can plan your own route and accommodation along the way but this takes a lot of time, organisation and route planning skills. So, it is often easier, and much more enjoyable to take a cycling holiday with an experienced touring company. Be sure to read all of the route notes before your trip and most importantly, have fun!
