Cycling in EnglandThere are few better ways to explore England than from the saddle of a bicyle or - in my case - the back of a tandem. England's countryside is stunning, we have small, quiet roads aplenty and if you fancy a break you're always likely to find a welcoming pub or cosy teashop. Offroad more to your liking? That's no problem. If you want to go cycling in England, you can do it offroad just as well as on. Local councils and companies like Sustrans have created many traffic-free cycling paths. Mountain-biking is very popular in England, too, with mountain biking centres and trails in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. A good way to get started cycling in England is a self-guided cycling tour. Whether you have a weekend, a few days or even a week, there's a cycling tour to suit you. Most of these tours provide accommodation - usually Bed and Breakfast - and transport your luggage from place to place, leaving you free to explore at your own pace. Here are a few ideas of tours that are ideal for a cycling holiday in England. Coast to Coast  This is a truly classic cycle tour. It's the first tour we did on the tandem and cycling in England cannot get much better than this.Crossing England from west to east on a National Cycling Network route, you get to see some amazing landscape and very little traffic, whatever time of year you attempt it. Bring your own bike or just rent one along with your tour and spend four days exploring England's North. If you're very fit or in a hurry, this tour can be done in two days... but why rush a wonderful experience? Explore at your leisure, stop for lunch or tea along the way and spend your nights in cosy hotels. Just don't forget to dip your wheels in the sea at either end. Cornish Way  Cornwall can be an almost mythical place and it's an ideal destination for cycling in England. The Cornish Way cycling route - between Wadebridge and Land's End - shows off the best of the county's contrasting landscapes. Explore little fishing villages in the north and the blue lakes in the south. Wander around St. Austell and Bodmin. And don't miss the absolute must-see along the route: The Eden Project. Check here for availability and prices... Cotswolds Classic Country LanesAs we live in the Cotswolds - and spend many of our days out cycling around - I can guarantee that this area is just wonderful for exploring England by bike.There are so many tiny roads that you can spend days meandering from village to village, stopping for lunch or tea, browsing a book or antique shop before moving on... and never move more than twenty miles from your hotel. Check here for availability and prices Hadrian's Cycle Way  If you love Roman history and cycling, then this is cycling in England for you! And if you love Northumberland, too, then you really have no excuse.Meander your way along the boundary of the Old Roman Empire, starting and finishing at either end of Hadrian’s Wall. Follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers, stop to explore the Roman forts, towns and museums that line the route, and marvel at the amazing landscape that Cumbria and Northumberland have to offer. Check here for availability and prices. Northern Lakes DiscovererThis 4-day tour is very suitable if you're new to cycling in England or cycling holidays in general.The tour helps you visit some of the prettiest parts of the Lakes and some of the most dramatic scenery in England. Explore the northern lakes, cycling on quiet roads and tracks that meander around Skiddaw, Saddleback, and the lakes of Bassenthwaite, Derwentwater, and Loweswater. Check here for availability and prices... New ForestAnother tour that's very good for beginners, families - or even for those on a tight schedule. The base for this 3-day cycling break is the picturesque village of Burley.Set deep in the forest to the West of Brockenhurst,encompassed by a myriad of cycling routes on heathland and in ancient woodland. This trip is perfect for those wanting tranquil simplicity and nice country pubs. With routes all leading to and from Burley,this three day trip is perfect for those of you looking for a centre-based break or for a family self guided trip. Check here for availability and prices... Northumberland CoastIf you know Essentially England, you'll also know how much I love Northumberland. So it's no hardship at all for me to recommend Northumberland-based cycling tours.This one's special because it's only a weekend tour and fairly easy. But the route could not be more impressiv as you ride past some of the finest castles in England, along some amazing beaches all the way to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Cycling in England really does NOT get any better than that. And I do so wish I was there.... Check here for availability and prices... Coast and Castles  Another classic tour travelling from Edinburgh to Newcastle, this one explores the hotly contested borders between Scotland and England.You start from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh and climb up to Innerleithen before following the River Tweed the Elizabethan walled town of Berwick upon Tweed. From there, Northumberland's stunning coastline and ancient castles and fortresses will take your breath away until you reach the city of Newcastle, where there's entertainment of a very different sort to be had. Check here for availability and prices... Whichever route you choose, cycling in England makes a rewarding - and sometimes even enlightening - holiday. It can be as peaceful and relaxing or as challenging and adventurous as you like. And with the views, attractions and history that England has to offer a cycling holiday in England is like nothing else! Check out this selection of self guided cycling holidays in England or
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