Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Callander ( 40 miles North of Edinburgh )

Day 2 Tour of the Trossachs – 34km , 55 km
Cycling alongside Loch Venachar with the hills on either side sparkling in the loch. We are making our way to Loch
Katrine , a beautiful remote loch where you can take a ride on a steamer boat which was built in 1872. A tarmac
private cycle way also runs alongside the loch giving spectacular views across the loch and the mountains.
 

Day 3 To Doune Castle 38km , 56km
Cycling southwards to the ancient village of Doune with its famous Castle. Stop and explore before continuing onto Dunblane with its great Cathedral. The circular trip takes you back to Callander along the Highland fault line.

Day 4    40 km – 56 km Callander to Killin
Today we follow the National Cycle Network north alongside Loch Lubnaig towards Balquihidder where you will
find a small church where Rob Roy McGregor is buried. From here we continue over the gentle climb of Glen Ogle before descending to Killin. The waterfall here is really spectacular and many people sit on the rocks and watch the cascading waters pass by.

Day 5   42 km Killin to Aberfeldy
Alongside Loch Tay which is around 27km long to Kenmore and a visit to the Scottish Crannog Centre which shows life on the Loch during the bronze age. Onto Fortingall a
conservation village dating back many hundreds of years. Europe’s oldest living thing can be found here in the form of a Yew Tree!!. After your visit carry along the Valley to Aberfeldy passing the famous Castle Menzies

 
Day 6  Aberfeldy to Pitlochry - 22km - 50km
Today you have a short and longer option . Before setting off visit the whisky distillery. Both routes start along the River Tay valley when the short route turns north to Pitlochry. The longer route firsts heads south to the historic village of Dunkeld dating back to the 1700’s. After your visit you head north to Pitlochry.

Loch Katrine Steamer

Castle Menzies

This independent tour starts every Saturday from May thru September.

• 7 nights in excellent 3 star quality, family run guesthouses and B & B's; all rooms with private facilities.
• Breakfast each day.
• Personal welcome meeting and distribution of tour information
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.
• 21 speed Trek hybrid bike with pannier.
• 7 day service hotline

Top of Page

This independent tour starts every Saturday from May thru September.

This tour includes:

• 7 nights in excellent quality, family run guesthouses and hotels rated 3 star; all rooms with private facilities.
• Personal welcome meeting and distribution of tour information
• Breakfast each day.
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.
• 21 speed Trek hybrid bike with pannier.
• 7 day Service Hotline

Top of Page

DAY 2 Sunday Oxford to Burford 25 miles / 42 km
Having selected your bicycle the tour heads alongside the canal tow path and then onto a Sustrans cycle track. This brings us to Woodstock and the opportunity to visit Blenheim Palace.
Blenheim is one of the great palaces of England. It was presented to John Churchill (1st Duke of Marlborough) in 1704 after his success against the French at Blenheim. It is set in a 2000-acre park, landscaped by the famous gardener Capability Brown. The long library is one of the longest single rooms in Britain and the guided tours (every 5-10 mins) offer a great insight into the life and the history surrounding Blenheim including its most famous son, Winston Churchill. (Entry fee £10, includes access to the house, gardens, park, Winston Churchill exhibition and the train ride). Woodstock is a pretty town, the Bear Hotel being particularly noteworthy dating from the 13th Century.
The cycle then takes us deeper into the Cotswolds with its limestone cottages along quiet back roads. Our destination is Burford with a particularly attractive mainstreet of handsome Inns and charming cottages that leads downhill to a medieval bridge (1322) by the old mill over the river Windrush.

DAY 3 Monday Burford to Broadway 30 miles / 50 km
Leaving Burford we cross the heart of the Cotswolds to take in the famous village of Bourton-on-the water, dubbed the Venice of England, with its many different attractions including Birdland, miniature village, motor museum, model railway and perfumery.
We then escape the hustle of Bourton to the quieter (and at least to us, prettier) villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter. The afternoon cycle brings us to the incredibly lovely Stanton, which has been virtually untouched since the 17th century.
  
DAY 4 Tuesday Broadway to Stratford 27 miles / 45 km
We begin the cycle with a stretching of the legs up to the quaint village of Snowshill. We then loop around to Broadway Tower and Country Park. This folly has seen the likes of William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelite Painter Rossetti stay here. On a clear day you can see 12 counties from the top of the tower. We then meander our way through a few villages before arriving at our lunch stop, a 13th century thatched tavern. After lunch we take a disused railway line, now converted to a cycle path, which provides a traffic free entry into the heart of this famous town.

June 16               July 14

This tour includes:

• 7 nights in excellent quality B & B hotels and guesthouse; all rooms with private facilities.
• Personal welcome meeting and distribution of tour information
• Daily meetings with guide, who accompanies the tour with the luggage van.
• English breakfast each day.
• Two dinners
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.
• 21 speed hybrid bike with pannier.

Top of Page

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Skipton where your first night's accommodation has been booked.

Day 2 Skipton to Malham- 35 km

After breakfast you will be provided with your bike and other equipment. Heading into Wharfedale and past the 12th Century hunting lodge of Barden Tower, the route is today along pleasant country lanes to the village of Malham with its famous Cove and spectacular scenery.

Day 3 Malham to Ingleton -36km

From Malham you climb up to a plateau area with limestone pavements and views of the Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside, before dropping down to the small market town of Settle. Continuing through several other Dales villages, you arrive at your overnight stop in the well-known village of Ingleton.

Day 4 Ingleton to Hawes- 38km

More high limestone country is met today before leaving the Three Peaks area and descending into Dentdale. From the village of Dent, the route climbs slowly up the valley to pass under the Settle - Carlisle railway at Dent Head Viaduct. A long descent rounds off the day, taking you into the small, bustling market town of Hawes.

Day 5 Hawes to Reeth - 32 km

There is plenty to see in Hawes, the home of Wensleydale cheese, before continuing down Wensleydale to Askrigg, the village of Darrowby in the James Herriot Series. A climb and descent bring you into Swaledale, famous for its wildflower meadows and stone barns. A very short detour takes you to your accommodation in the village of Reeth.

Day 6 Reeth to Kettlewell- 38km

Another high road through the heather takes you back to Wensleydale, and the short detour here to Castle Bolton is highly recommended. Then it's on into Coverdale, also known for its cheese, and up to the highest point of the holiday at 1650 feet. The descent is down the steep Park Rash into Kettlewell.

Tour Rating - fairly demanding

You cycle on minor country lanes as you take a circular route around the region. Suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness.

Total distance = 216km (135 miles) .

Dent Head Viaduct

Castle Bolton

Daily from April through mid-October

This tour includes:

• 7 nights in excellent quality B & B's, all rooms with private facilities.
• Personal welcome meeting and distribution of bikes and tour information
• English breakfast each day.
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.
• 18-21 gear hybrid bike with helmet, pannier bag, pump, water bottle, tool kit and lock.
• 7 day emergency support

Top of Page

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Carlisle
Today arrive to Carlisle , easily reached from the airports in Newcastle , Manchester or Liverpool. Carlisle is on the Border with Scotland , on Hadrian’s Wall and to the north of the Lake District.

Day 2 Carlisle to Keswick 30 miles 48 km
Today you leave Carlisle and head south into the Northern sections of the English Lake District. Cycling away from Carlisle alongside the River Caldew and onto open farmlands through lovely country lanes. Soon you reach the Caldbeck Fells of the Northern lakes which you circle on the lower slopes before descending into Keswick which situated on one of the great lakes, Derwent Water.

Day 3 Keswick Loop 27 miles 43 km
Now it is time to explore the beautiful English Lake District or you can decide to maybe take a rest day and relax in this beautiful Cumbrian town. Your ride today will take alongside Derwent Water through Rosthwaite and Borrowdale before climbing over Honister Pass at 300m. You descend down to Buttermere and Cummock Water before climbing over Whinlater pass( 250m )  to Keswick. Although you have two climbs you will be rewarded with stunning lake and mountain scenery.

Optional Night Keswick
Today you can take a deserved rest , do some walking or relax in Keswick. For those who wish to cycle it is back over Whinlater Pass and down the Larton Valley to Cockermouth. Now you follow the River Derwent and above Bassenthwaite Lake to Keswick.

Day 4 Keswick to Alston 45 miles 72 km
A long day today as you cycle through the North Pennine Hills along the Sea to Sea cycle route. After Huddlesceugh you climb over the Pennines to Alston passing Hartside. Usually there is a prevailing west wind which will blow you along your journey through the Pennines. Your destination Alston is the UK’s highest market town.  

Day 5 Alston to Newcastle / Surrounding villages. 49 miles, 79 km.
Today you will cycle back into the west side of Newcastle where you will stay overnight in Ryton. You will cycle through some lovely north Pennine villages before the long descent to Ryton.

Day 6 – Newcastle to Haltwhistle 30 miles , 48 km
Leaving Ryton you will quickly join the Hadrian’s Cycleway going west. You will pass Stephenson’s Cottage where the famous railway engineer was born and on to Corbridge, originally a Roman town. In Corbridge you can visit the Roman Fort before continuing to the market town of Hexham where you can admire the ancient Abbey.

Hadrians Wall

Daily from May to September

This tour includes:

• 7 nights in excellent quality B & B's; all rooms with private facilities.
• Personal welcome meeting and distribution of bikes and tour information
• English breakfast each day.
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.
• 18-21 gear hybrid bike with helmet, pannier bag, pump, water bottle, tool kit and lock.
• 7 day emergency support

Top of Page

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive York (has railway station)

Day 2 York to Boroughbridge -32km

Leaving York on a traffic-free cycle path alongside the River Ouse you are soon on quiet lanes that lead you to the National Trust's Beningbrough Hall. Further quiet lanes lead you to the Roman town at Aldborough on the way to Boroughbridge.

Day 3 Boroughbridge to Easingwold - 18 km

A flat day takes you easily across the River Swale to Brafferton-Helperby and on to your destination in the small market town of Easingwold.

Day 4 Easingwold to Helmsley - 22km

Today is a little hillier but you have plenty of time to explore the countryside on the way to Helmsley. The route takes you to the pretty village of Coxwold with its interesting church and nearby Shandy Hall. The ruins of Byland Abbey in their delightful setting are passed as you make your way to Helmsley on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. Helmsley is a delightful small town complete with castle ruins, the stately home and grounds of Duncombe Park and nearby Rievaulx Abbey.

Day 5 Helmsley to Hovingham -13km

A very short day allows more time in and around Helmsley before cycling through the pretty village of Harome to reach the National Trust's Nunnington Hall, alongside the River Rye. A short ride from here brings you to Hovingham.

Day 6 Hovingham to Malton - 24km

Pleasant lanes through the Howardian Hills guide you to Castle Howard. The house was built in the 18th century and is a spectacular example of architecture of that time. As well as the richly furnished house, there are over 1000 acres of parkland with lawns, woods, lakes and fountains. From here it is easy cycling to Malton in the valley of the River Derwent. On the edge of this market town lies Eden Camp, a reconstructed prisoner of war camp and award winning museum.

Day 7 Malton to York - 35km

The last day's cycling takes you back to York by way of Kirkham Priory, situated alongside the River Derwent. Narrow lanes are then followed to York, which you approach from the east.

Day 8 Departure.

Airport / Transfers

The nearest international airport is Manchester. Trains depart for York on a regular basis. The cost is approx. $20 one way.

Tour Rating - Easy

You cycle on safe cycle paths and minor country lanes as you take a circular route around the region. Daily distances are very short. Suitable for all cyclists.

Total distance = 144km (90 miles)

Byland Abbey

Helmsley

Daily from April through mid-October

This tour includes:

• 7 nights in excellent quality B & B's, most rooms with private facilities.
• Personal welcome meeting and distribution of bikes and tour information
• English breakfast each day.
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.
• 18-21 gear hybrid bike with helmet, pannier bag, pump, water bottle, tool kit and lock.
• 7 day emergency support

Top of Page

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Whitehaven where your first night's accommodation has been booked

.

Day 2 Whitehaven to Keswick -48km

Provided with bikes and other equipment. Leaving the Irish Sea behind, your route passes Ennerdale and Loweswater on its way to the next overnight stop at Keswick on the shores of Derwentwater.

Day 3 Keswick to Appleby - 57 km

Taking in more breath-taking Lakeland scenery including Ullswater and on to the attractive market town of Appleby for the night.

Day 4 Appleby to Reeth - 53km

Crossing the Pennines and down into beautiful Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, to end the day in the typical Dales village of Reeth.

Day 5 Reeth to Osmotherley - 56km

Continuing down Swaledale, through the interesting market town of Richmond and across the Vale of York to the village of Osmotherley, nestling under the western hills of the North York Moors.

Day 6 Osmotherley to Castleton- 37km

Climbing up to the unique heather moorland of the North York Moors and enjoying the magnificent scenery on your way to your night's stop in the Moors village of Castleton.

Day 7 Castleton to Whitby - 30km

Continuing across the North York Moors National Park, into lovely Eskdale, (with its steam railway to Pickering), and on to the sea at Whitby, home of Captain Cook, associated with Count Dracula, and with its fascinating Old Town.

Day 8 Sightseeing in Whitby and departure.

Tour Rating - fairly demanding

You cycle on minor country lanes and quiet roads however the terrain is quite hilly. Suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness. Total distance is 285km (178 miles)

Daily from April through mid-October

This tour includes:

• 7 nights in excellent quality B & B's and guesthouses, most with private facilities.
• Personal welcome meeting and distribution of tour information
• English breakfast each day.
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.
• 18-21 gear hybrid bike with helmet, pannier bag, pump, water bottle, tool kit and lock.
• 7 day emergency support

Top of Page

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Arrive in Saundersfoot

Saundersfoot, near Tenby, is a wonderful fishing village just east of the medieval walled town of Tenby. Here you will pick up your bikes and check into your guest house for the night. Take a walk on the lovely sandy beach before enjoying the evening in one of the many local restaurants and pubs.

Day 2:   The Mills and Mining Trail approx. 55 km

Cycle inland through Canaston Woods which is steeped in mining history. This whole area was a major part of the Pembrokeshires coal fields from the 17th Century.

This independent tour starts every Saturday from May thru September

This tour includes:

• 7 nights in excellent quality hotels and guesthouses, rated 3 & 4 star; all rooms with private facilities.
• Personal welcome meeting and distribution of tour information
• English breakfast each day.
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.
• 21 speed hybrid bike with pannier.
• 7 day Service hotline

Top of Page