England Gears Up For National Bike Week
2013-06-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — This weekend sees the start of National Bike Week (15 – 21 June), which encourages everyone from novices to seasoned cyclists to dig out their bikes and get out on the saddle. In the wake of Wiggo’s Olympic glory in 2012 and with next year’s Tour de France starting on our shores, it seems that England is experiencing something of a cycling revolution.
Here, VisitEngland rounds up 10 of the country’s most scenic cycle routes to inspire travellers to discover this green and pleasant land on two wheels.
Tudor Trail, Kent
You needn’t worry about cars on this family cycle route, as it’s almost entirely traffic-free. From Tonbridge, pass through Haysden Country Park along the peaceful River Medway (where there’s a slight climb), before heading towards the glorious Penshurst Place and the delightful village of Chiddingstone, past Chiddingstone Castle and on to Hever Castle.
Time Taken: 1 hour
Rating: Suitable for all
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Bath to Reading
The Kennet and Avon Canal makes its way through some of the loveliest landscapes in the south. Starting in Bath, with its crescents and colonnades, the route passes two viaducts and the dramatic Caen Hill Locks at Devizes. Here, you briefly leave the towpath to follow the country lanes around the Vale of Pewsey, before reuniting with the canal at Marsh Benham for the rest of the route.
Time Taken: 10hrs
Rating: Intermediate
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Way Of The Roses: Morecambe Bay to Bridlington Bay
Ever wanted to cycle the breadth of England? This coast-to-coast cycle route is the way to do it. Starting in the “red rose” county of Lancashire, cycle through the “white rose” territory of Yorkshire, passing through Lancashire’s Forest of Bowland (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the Yorkshire Wolds along the way, before reaching the North Sea. Get ready for those hills…
Time Taken: 2-3 days
Rating: Difficult
www.wayoftheroses.co.uk
Round the Island Cycle Route, Isle of Wight
This 62-mile cycle route sticks to quiet roads, with sea views and pretty villages. It’s up to you whether you go round clockwise or anti-clockwise – either way, it’s well signposted (with Round the Island blue signs), and is reassuringly flat.
Time Taken: 2-3 days (at a leisurely pace)
Rating: Intermediate
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Swinley Forest
This 2,600-acre pinewood forest has hard track trails for all abilities. The mellow woodland paths are ideal if you’re with the family, or try out the specific ‘expert’ mountain biking area for a white-knuckle ride. One condition of cycling here is that everyone over 16 needs a riding permit, costing just £2.
Time Taken: Various
Rating: Mixed
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West London Thames Ride
A great way to get out of the city, this waterside cycle route starts at Kingston and takes you to Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace via a smooth riverside path, before you get to the houseboats of Taggs Island and the former racecourse at Hurst Park. By the time you get to Egham the traffic and noise of the city will seem a million miles away (though the full ride is only 18 miles).
Time Taken: 2 hours
Rating: Suitable For All
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The Manifold Trail, West Midlands
You have a disused railway line to thank for this rather pretty cycle trail. The route follows the old track through the dramatic limestone gorges of Beeston Tor and Thor’s Cave – the latter a 10-metre opening where ancient stone tools have been found. The going’s pretty easy but if you do find yourself in need of a rest, there’s a pub and visitor centre at Hume End.
Time Taken: 2 hours
Rating: Suitable for all
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West Country Way
It may be 240 miles long but there’s plenty to see if you’ve got the stamina. Starting with Padstow Harbour and the famous Camel Trail, you make your way onto the vast expanse of Bodmin Moor. From Exmoor onwards, things flatten out on the Somerset Levels, towards Glastonbury, before the last push takes you over the Mendip Hills to either Bath or Bristol – whichever you prefer.
Time Taken: 8 days
Rating: Difficult
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Coast to Coast, Lake District
No list of great rides would be complete without mentioning the Lake District, and the C2C (or ‘Sea to Sea’) is the UK’s most popular ‘challenge’ biking route. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world (or at least of England) as you pass through the northern Lake District before dropping in on the Pennines and descending to the east coast, via the railway paths of County Durham.
Time Taken: 5 Days
Rating: Difficult
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Melksham, North Wiltshire Rivers Route
There are plenty of sights to satisfy the kids along this 25-mile stretch of the North Wiltshire Rivers Route, including Lacock Abbey (which appeared in the Harry Potter films), Cherhill White Horse and the mysterious ancient stone cycles at Avebury.
Time Taken: 3 hours
Rating: Suitable for all
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For more cycling ideas, visit www.visitengland.com
Ends.
For further press information please contact:
Mark McCulloch / Laura Dewar
VisitEngland Press Office
Tel: 020 7578 1446 / 020 7578 1437
Email: Mark.McCulloch@visitengland.org / Laura.Dewar@visitengland.org
Notes to Editors:
About England
• Historic yet contemporary, traditional yet cutting-edge, metropolitan yet wild: England is truly a unique destination and a real powerhouse in global tourism.
• With ancient Hadrian’s Wall straddling the wild north and the world’s biggest indoor tropical rainforest nestled in the far south, England really is the ultimate mix of old and new as well as being home to some of the most iconic sites in the world, including Stonehenge, the honey-hued Georgian terraces of Bath and the towering peaks and glistening meres of the Lake District.
• Did you know that in 2010 there were 96.4 million domestic overnight trips in England, 25.5 million inbound visits and 872 million tourism day trips?
More information can be found on www.visitengland.com