Cycling Holidays - Suffolk Castles, Coasts, & Villages

Suffolk Castles, Coasts, & Villages

United Kingdom

From £780 P/P

Cycle through a true rural idle. Rich in history, and packed with charm, Suffolk is sure to win your hearts with its thatched cottages and oak beamed pubs, great old castles and unspoiled coastline. Discover one of Britains best kept secrets by bike this summer.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Ipswich

Make your own way to Ipswich, one of England's oldest towns, with parts that date back to Saxon times! Here, you will find a town packed with historic buildings, such as the 12 medieval churches, and the Ancient House which has amazing pargetting. The beautiful red brick Christchurch Mansion, which sits in its own beutiful park land, houses a fascinating free museum which home to paintings by John Constable. The town also boasts rich maritime heritage, which can be explored at the interesting waterfront and marina area.

Day 2 - Ipswich – Needham Market – Halesworth - Approx. 50 - 60 km + Train Ride

A short train ride will bring you to the historic town of Needham Market. You will be collected from the trainstation, and today will recieve your travel documtens and rental bikes. Your first ride will take you, on a small cycle path, to Debenham; a charming and historic village known for its overhanging, half-timbered houses, antique shops and huge church. Later, you will continue on to Saxtead Green. Here, you can visit the beautifully restored 18th century post mill, before discovering the delights of nearby Framlingham, a quintessentially English town with a traditional market square full of interesting little shops and a mighty 12th century castle. Take a break for refreshments and soak up the atmosphere, or take a stroll along the castle walls, where you will be met by stunning views of the town, and out across the rolling Suffolk countryside. Finally, you will ride along eafy lanes and open, undulating countryside, through cottage-lined villages, and past more medieval churches en route to the market town of Halesworth.

Day 3 - Circular Route to the Coast - Approx. 40 km

Halesworth will welcome you with its wide range of historic facades and charming little shops. The medieval St Mary’s church is worth a visit too, before you set of on todays circular route, which will take you to discover Suffolk's coastal treasures. Pass the post mill at Holton on your way to Wangford, a village packed with traditional cottages, and historic houses. There is also an impressive coaching inn, which will have many a story to tell. You will soon come upon the Suffolk Heritage Coast and Sole Bay. Southwold, one of Suffolk’s well known, dignified and charming seaside towns, with smart, wide greens bordered by neat, historic houses. Here, you will find a pier and lighthouse, perfect for your holiday snaps,and and excellent local brewery. The promenade is lined with colourful beach huts, which look stunning on a summer's day. Cross the River Blyth by the small bridge or foot ferry to discover historic Walberswick, then continue, along the estuary, to picturesque Wenhaston, before you return back to Halesworth.

Day 4 - Halesworth – Felixstowe - Approx. 60 km

Today, you will head to the coast once more. This time riding towards Dunwich, the medieval capital of East Anglia, which has now largely disappeared beneath the waves. Take a look at the ruins of the Greyfriars Priory, now clinging to the cliff tops, before you continue along breath-taking heathlands. If you are a nature lover, it might be worthwhile making a stop at the famous bird reserve at Minsmere. You will ride along leafy lanes through Eastbridge, and past more ruins at Leiston Abbey, towards the winding creeks of the River Alde. Here, at Snape Maltings, the refurbished Aldeburgh Festival concert hall sits amidst a great collection of galleries, shops and antique dealers. This is the perfect place to enjoy a rest and some refreshment, whilst enjoying the beautiful river views. You will then cross the river Deben by ferry, before reaching the end of today's stage in Felixtowe.

Day 5 - Felixstowe – Stoke by Nayland - Approx. 50 km

You leave Felixtowe this morning, heading in the direction of the river Orwell. Here you can enjoy some small ferry trips, before later following the river Stour into the heart of Contable Country. You will cycle through some amazing landscapes; the setting of Stour Valley and Dedham Vale. Later today, you will visit sites made famous by the iconic 18th Century landscape artist John Constable.

Day 6 - Stoke by Nayland – Long Melford - Approx. 40 km

Rolling countryside will take you from Stoke by Nayland, and the pretty village of Shelley. to the fine ‘Wool Town’ of Hadleigh, where a Tudor red brick Deanery Tower sits alongside the most impressive medieval church, St Mary's, which topped with an impressive spire. In the quaint town centre, traditional leaning houses line the main street in their many colours. Next, you will come to historic Kersey which, together with nearby Chelsworth,counts amongst the prettiest villages in England. More historic farmsteads and villages line the undulating route Long Melford. This impressive 'wool town' village has not one, but two red brick Tudor manor houses, wide greens, a remarkable medieval church, and a mile long main street, which is packed with interesting shops, antique centres, historic pubs and restaurants.

Day 7 - Long Melford – Bury St. Edmunds - Approx. 40 km

Start the day with the medieval labyrinth of half-timbered houses that is Lavenham; perhaps the most famous of all the ‘Wool Towns’. You will then come upon more rolling countryside on your way to the pretty village of Hartest,before dropping in at the eccentric, oval stately home of Ickworth House, which is just a few miles outside the ancient market town of Bury St Edmunds. Bury is full of history, charming, narrow streets, and old Suffolk charm. Walk through the massive stone gateway to the ruined abbey, where you will find the beautiful Abbey Gardens that lead all the way down to the River Lark. The cathedral here gained its impressive tower to celebrate the new millennium.There are market days twice a week, and you can always take the chance to drink at The Nutshell, the smallest pub in Britain.

Day 8 - Departure or extension

Today is the end of your tour. Leave your bike at the hotel and depart after breakfast. Alternatively you can book extra nights to discover ' the jewel in Suffolk's crown', Bury St. Edmunds, some more.
Route Overview

Route Overview

Route Overview

You will be cycling mostly on very quiet country lanes, linked by short stretches of busier road. The terrain ranges from flat to gently rolling countryside

Overall Difficulty: Easy - Medium - Mostly flat with some longer routes and slightly rolling sections.

Overall Distance: 290km Approx.

Route Map (For guidance only)

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details

This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Getting There
Getting There

Clostest Airport: London Stanstead

Closest Train Station: Ipswich

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
Arrival / Parking / Departure:

Ipswich train station

London Stansted Airport

Details for train http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search or for buses http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

Things to note:

Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!

Surcharge arrival on Monday and Thuesday: € 45 per person

Train journey: Ipswich-Needham Market approx. GBP 5,- per person

Ferry across Deben approx. £4,- per person incl. bike

Ferry across Orwell/Stour approx. £10,- per person and bike
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

Included:
- Accommodation as already mentioned
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Detailed travel documents (1 set of OS 1:50.000 maps per party with recommended and alternative routes marked. These are to be returned to us at the end of the holiday.)
- GPS-data is available on request
- Service hotline included
Not Included
- Flights/trasport to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike hire (optional supplements, with rental bike insurance included)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers
- Personal costs
- Anything not listed as 'included'
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the Rental Bikes

This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.

Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)

Men's Bike (Colour may vary)

Electric Bike (Colour may vary)

Rental Bike PLUS

For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.

Accessories

If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.

All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.

You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.

Gears

7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).

Frame Sizing

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.

We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!

Bike Hire Insurance

This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.

Electric Bike Hire

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
Hotels

Hotels

Hotels

This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels/ guest houses - mostly 3/4* standard. All accommodation has private facilities, and has been carefully selected for its proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.

Please note that the hotel list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only.
We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by calling 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.

2021 Dates:

Season
Season 1	May 28 - June 30 2021	September 1 - September 23 2021
Season 2	July 1 - July 17 2021	July 26 - August 31 2021

Season & Room Type	Prices (per person):
Season 1 Double	£ 780
Season 1 Single	£1185
Season 2 Double	£ 845
Season 2 Single	£1255

Extras:

Extra Nights	Room Type	Prices (per person)
Ipswich	Dbl/bb (on request)	£55.00
Ipswich	Sgl/bb (on request)	£105.00
Bury St. Edmunds	Dbl/bb (on request)	£65.00
Bury St. Edmunds	Sgl/bb (on request)	£105.00

Bike Hire:

Type
Rental bike 27-gear	£85.00
Electric bike (on request)	£190.00

Date From	Date To
28 March 2021	23 September 2021

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