England, the United Kingdom, Great Britain. Often, this destination and name are used interchangeably. For the inhabitants of the British and Irish isles, it can be quite sensitive which name you mention. For us outsiders, it is often rather less serious. What is beyond dispute is the wonderful cycling destination that is England. Here are 10 wonderful cycling routes in England for both cyclists and gravel bikers, each of more than 100 kilometres in length with a nice number of altimeters. These routes start and end at a fine pub, bike-friendly where possible and they all have highlights along the way. We have also included a nice lunch tip.
1. Peak District Circuit
When you think of cycling in the UK, there are a few hotspots that immediately come to mind. The Peak District is perhaps the most popular. With beautiful climbs with even more beautiful names like 'Mam Tor' and 'Snake Pass', you have a wonderful day of cycling ahead of you. Start your route in the quaint town of Bakewell (famous for its cake) at SUMMAT Café, where you can also leave your bike on your return and where the inner man is well served. Along the way, you'll ride past Chatsworth House and tackle the climbs of Mam Tor, Snake Pass and more. Want to stop for lunch along the way? That's very possible in Hathersage, where, for example, Bank House has a very good menu. If you want something more 'typical English', go to Cintra's Tea Room. Extra tip: on Saturdays, SUMMAT also has a 'ride out'. You can then join them at 09:00 in the morning.
2. Lake District Epic Loop
Along with the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District is one of the more beautiful places in England to go cycling. The average climber will not be disappointed here either. Windermere and Kirkstone Pass are among the English classics. Start your route in Ambleside, for example at Copper Pot Café with a delicious menu, where you can also enjoy some time on your return. Just note that they are only open from 09:30. Then the tough climbing awaits and these are vicious English climbs. But the almost dramatic views are truly awesome. Want to stop for lunch or a quick bite in the meantime? Keswick a typical Lake District town on our route has some excellent stops (we've tagged them. Also check out Merienda, for a good lunch).
3. Yorkshire Dales Grand Tour
In 2019, it was Yorkshire one and all cycling. The 2019 World Cup was a great insight into the typical Yorkshire cycling landscape. Even before, in the 2014 Tour de France and in the Tour de Yorkshire, you could enjoy on screen all the splendour of this county. In Yorkshire, everything is a bit bigger, at least if local legend James Martin is to be believed. Yorkshire portions are above average (and above average fat). This route takes you via Buttertubs, another stunning climb, and you pass the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct. Our route starts in Skipton, at Clubhouse Cycles & Coffee. Could it be any better? It's a challenging round trip so if you want to stop for lunch, you can pop into The Wenleasdale Pantry in Hawes, for instance. English cosiness at its finest, but oh so delicious. Also take a look at Cycle The Dales For a little more info.
4. South Downs Coastal Challenge
Southern England is also a great place to cycle. During the London Olympics, Box Hill and the region around it was a great inspiration for cycling in England. Zwift and the 'London Circuit' helped with that, of course. But even further south, near Brighton along the coast, you can really take in the beautiful white cliffs and dramatic coastline. We laid a (long) route from Brighton, which takes in most of the highlights via the 'Seven Sisters Cliffs' and Arundel Castle. Eastbourne is a nice stop for coffee or lunch, although on your return you'll probably want to eat for a very long time! Our route starts at Porteur in Hove (which is attached to Brighton). For more information on cycling the South Downs Way (an alternative to our route), find here.
5. Cornwall's North Coast Adventure
Cornwall is 'the other England'. The westernmost tip of England is characterised by a different landscape from other parts. Cornwall is also proud of its own history. You could compare it somewhere to the province of Friesland. People here also have their own language, Cornish, which was extinct for a while but is being revived. The landscape is very rugged. Land's End is perhaps the most famous 'Cornish Highlight'. Cornwall is also where you can find King Arthur's birthplace, at Tintagel, which also happens to be on our route. The King Arthur legend really lives on here. Our route starts in Padstow. For 24kitchen viewers, this is 'Rick Stein country'. The famous English chef is from here and at Rick Stein's cafe you can eat fantastic food. The route takes you via Tintagel and the Bude Sea Pool to St Nectan's Glen. This is typically the north coast of Cornwall. Stop in Bude at Electric Bakery for a take-away lunch. Or look somewhere for the delicious oysters or other fish specialities the region is famous for.
6. Hadrian's Wall Explorer
Hadrian's Wall is world-famous. The more than 100-kilometre-long, historic wall that well reflects the history of the Romans on the English island. Emperor Hadrian had this defensive wall facing north built by his legionnaires. From 117 to 138 AD, people were busy laying this wall of sods. Now you will find beautiful historical sites. The forts, Vindolanda, Sycamore Gap (where the famous tree was blown down in September 2023) and Hadrian's statue. Our route starts in beautiful Carlisle. Start, for instance, at The Espresso Hub or at Brewed Awakenigs. You then head towards Hadrian's Wall. Bring your good camera because this is to be enjoyed. Lunch ideas? Stop in Hexham and pop into one of the historic pubs. At the Beaumont hotel you'll find a nice Sunday Roast, such a typical English tradition. But for the real pub, head to The Heart of Northumberland.
7. New Forest and Jurassic Coast
Just a different part of England. Hampshire is an often forgotten part. Bournemouth and the surrounding area is less well known than, say, Southampton and Portsmouth a bit to the east. Bournemouth is more on the map because of its football club, but Bournemouth Pier is a well-known hotspot. Still, we dive into the hinterland by bike, to beautiful Beaulieu Palace, Hengistbury Head and Durdle Door. Our route starts in Lyndhurst, at The Greenwood Cafe. Don't stick around too long as you have quite a few kilometres ahead of you. Lunch is nice in Swanage, where the Salt Pig Too above it. Otherwise, the 1859 Pier Café a nice alternative, if only because of its location.
8. Norfolk Broads and Coastline
Norwich is on the long-distance route EuroVelo 12. This route runs all along the North Sea (including the Netherlands) and you can almost be sure that you will be presented with a beautiful route. In town, we start at The Bicycle Shop Café. This is perhaps the flattest route of all. With only 800 altimeters over 160 kilometres, then you're almost in the Netherlands! Anyway. You head here past Blickling Estate on to Holkham Beach, heading north. The Broads National Park offers beautiful scenery and the sea is always something to look forward to. Wells-next-the-Sea is the place to be for fresh North Sea fish. Platten's Fish And Chips is the typical place to start. If you want something more hip lunch, then Well's Deli your go-to place.
9. Cotswolds Classic
Do you ever watch 'Escape to the Country?' This BBC programme follows couples who want to escape busy city life and buy a house 'in the countryside'. Where do they often go? To 'The Cotswolds'. Here you will find beautiful cottages, stone-walled roads, hedges of flowers and lovely tearooms. That said: this is where you'll want to take a tour. From Chipping Campden, you head straight up one of England's most beautiful climbs. Then it's straight through the beautiful Cotswolds countryside towards Bourton-on-the-water, where you'll want to stop for coffee or lunch. This is a tourist highlight. The Mousetrap Inn on the road to Bourton is a lovely stop. The terrace of the Rosetree House, you'll want to stop there. Start your route at The Bantam Tea Room and when you come back you don't want to leave here.
10. Exmoor and Quantock Hills Challenge
Should you ever follow darts, the name Minehead will mean something to you right away. The local (to some sad-looking) Minehead resort regularly hosts major tournaments. If you're looking for a cool gravel route in the Exmoor park, this is a nice challenge. From Minehead, where you can start well from Cafe Cream, you drive straight into the countryside. This is a challenging gravel route. So pay attention, because you will need all your skills here. Especially as you will encounter some tough climbs. Dunster Castle, Porlock Hill and other beautiful spots are the highlights on this route. Hungry for lunch? Porlock is a great place to stop.
Additional tips for our 10 stunning cycle routes in England
Each route offers a unique experience with beautiful scenery and challenging terrain. Important additional tips:
- England really has some challenging climbs and routes. It is 'by no means' comparable to the Netherlands or Belgium. So take into account tough climbing, with percentages quickly running into the double digits
- Weather is always a factor. Although London has more sunny days than Paris, other parts of England, especially the north, are a lot wetter. Dress accordingly (and check our winter clothing list or our tips for the rain)
- Would you like to go on a guided trip for once? Then take a look at the site of Cold Dark North. They do lots of great routes in, you guessed it, the north of England.
- Some routes are in more remote places. There, you won't always find a bike shop open, or a little shop where you can buy something. So make sure you have enough food and drink with you for a long route. Also keep in mind that traffic might be less used to cyclists.
- More info on tourism in Great Britain can be found via the site of the local tourism office.
- As well as our 10 wonderful cycle routes in England, there are many sites offering local routes. If our info still doesn't help you, google 'cycle the...with your destination' and you'll find a world of info.
