Cycle England's Grand Tour from North to South

At a Glance

From

£4799

✓ 25% Refundable Deposit
✓ Booking Protected by ABTOT
✓ 5* TripAdvisor Rated

An England Cycle Tour like no other: journey from Yorkshire to Cornwall on this 11-day cycling adventure.

Hit the trails for a cycling holiday like no other with this 10-night fully guided tour of England. See Northumberland’s magnificent castles and the iconic Hadrian’s Wall. Ride through the quintessential English hills of the Cotswolds and through the rugged fells of the Lake District. Pedal upon Cornwall’s famous Camel Trail and follow the Tour De France into the Yorkshire Dales.

With an abundance of history and heritage to uncover, friendly groups of like-minded cyclists and a handpicked local guide leading you every step of the way, see England in all its glory with this unforgettable grand tour.

  • Pedal through the picture-perfect Yorkshire Dales 
  • Ride the circular of the North Lake District range for spectacular views of Skiddaw and Blencathra mountains. 
  • Cycle the rugged Honister Pass near Lake Buttermere
  • Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Enjoy a cycle through the country lanes of charming Cotswolds towns Chipping Campden and Moreton-in-Marsh
  • Marvel at Blenheim Palace and indulge in treats from Daylesford Organic Farm shop
  • Visit King Charles III’s famous gardens at Highgrove on the way to Bath
  • Cycle the famous Camel Trail to Padstow 
  • Soak up Cornish life along the beautiful northern coastline of Cornwall

Your Itinerary

Arrive into York railway station late-morning, where our friendly Active England guide will be on hand to meet and transfer you to the outstanding Black Sheep Brewery in Masham for lunch. In the afternoon, we mount up and pedal into the picture postcard landscape of the Yorkshire Dales. Passing dry-stone walls and sheep-filled fields, we bike to the picturesque market town of Hawes, one of the highest towns in England and our home for the next two nights.

Today we head deep into the Dales, riding out onto Buttertubs Pass. A stretch of high moorland that featured in the 2014 Tour De France, we’ll enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding valleys and fells as we make our way through this iconic local landmark. With today’s ride complete, we’ll bike back for another evening in Hawes and a well-deserved pint of local Yorkshire ale.

We transfer this morning to the Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and England’s largest National Park. Starting in Penrith, a historic town known for its impressive 14th century castle, we waste no time in hitting the trails. Riding out on a circular route of the North Lake District range, we’ll encounter the imposing Skiddaw and Blencathra mountains, before finding our accommodation in the bustling market town of Keswick.

We set out today toward Buttermere, famous for its glorious setting among the dramatic amphitheatre of northern fells. Tracing the edge of the mirrorlike lake, we cycle through the rugged Honister Pass, pausing to visit the last working slate mine in England, before returning to Keswick for dinner in one of the many excellent local restaurants.

We transfer this morning to Stratford-upon-Avon, a medieval market town in England’s West Midlands and the 16th-century birthplace of William Shakespeare. Taking plenty of time to explore, with a visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace and the church in which he’s buried, we then bike into the Cotswolds. Winding our way through quiet country lanes and over rolling hills, we visit the quintessential English town of Chipping Campden and the beautiful Hidcote Gardens, internationally renowned for its collection of incredible outdoor “rooms.” Our accommodation for the next two evenings is in the charming market town of Moreton-in-Marsh.

Today we begin with coffee at Daylesford Organic, the most exclusive farm shop in the Cotswolds, before cycling through idyllic countryside to Blenheim Palace. Winston Churchill’s birthplace and a World Heritage Site, we eat lunch overlooking the Capability Brown parklands, and take some time during the afternoon to explore the historic palace and the gorgeous 2,000-acre estate. With the day drawing to a close, we ride back to Moreton-in-Marsh.

Leaving the Cotswolds behind, we transfer to Bath, stopping along the way to see King Charles III’s famous gardens at Highgrove. Cycling into the city via a 2,000-year-old Roman road, our Active England guide will then lead you on foot for a tour of this historic location. From the Roman Baths, one of the world’s best-preserved Roman remains, to the Royal Crescent overlooking the city, you’ll quickly find that there’s no shortage of incredible landmarks in which to immerse yourself.

We spend today in Bath, allowing all the time you need to visit the city’s various restaurants, theatres, galleries and shops. If you need help finding your way, or simply making the most of your time here, our Active England guides will be on hand to provide all the local knowledge you might need. Or if you’d prefer, feel free to simply to indulge in some R&R at our accommodation, the luxurious Francis Hotel.

We transfer to Cornwall, where we’ll spend the remainder of our grand tour enjoying golden beaches, rugged cliffs and pretty coastal villages. Staying in the gorgeous harbour town of Padstow, one of the most enticing destinations in all of Cornwall and a renowned culinary hotspot, we begin by catching the ferry across the glistening waters of the Camel Estuary to the small seaside village of Rock. From here, we head to Wenford Bridge, a tranquil hamlet where we’ll pick up the start of the famous Camel Trail. Seventeen miles long and mostly flat, we’ll ride the trail all the way back to Padstow, enjoying views of the passing moorland, woodland and estuary. After crossing the finish line, we end our day with a supper of fresh-caught fish and chips on the harbour wall.

Setting out from Padstow, today we head inland, before turning back towards the sea and the wild headlands that inspired Poldark. We’ll wind our way back via Cornwall’s famously beautiful northern coastline. With our grand tour coming to an end, we’ll celebrate one last evening together with dinner at Rick Stein’s famous seafood restaurant.

After a relaxed breakfast, our guides will transport you to Bodmin Parkway railway station, where we say our farewells and provide any help you might need with your onward travel.

Map

Gallery

Handpicked Accommodation

Hawes - Yorkshire Dales

Hawes – Yorkshire Dales

The Stone House
A classic country house built in 1908 on the sunny side of the valley near the charming market town of Hawes. It is a fine constructed house that retains the atmosphere and furnishings of an elegant family home and provides the perfect setting in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Keswick - Lake District

Keswick - Lake District

Borrowdale Gates Hotel
Originally a magnificent private residence, the Borrowdale Gates Hotel maintains the lovely, homely atmosphere of a genuine country house. Set in its own 3 acres of wooded grounds at the head of Derwentwater facing south into the Jaws of Borrowdale, it’s no surprise that Alfred Wainwright described it as the “loveliest square mile in Lakeland”.

Moreton-in-Marsh
The Manor House Hotel, Burford

Moreton-in-Marsh - Cotswolds

The Manor House Hotel
The Manor House Hotel, Moreton in Marsh, is an enchanting 16th Century Cotswold retreat where you can both indulge and relax in a homely atmosphere.

Bath
The Francis Hotel, Bath

Bath

The Francis Hotel
A Grade I listed building with a history of hospitality, this Georgian getaway offers a quintessential retreat in a coveted position moments from the most popular sights of the great British spa city.

Padstow - Cornwall
The Francis Hotel, Bath

Padstow - Cornwall

Harbour Hotel
Perched proudly above the picturesque port of Padstow, our revamped Victorian hotel offers views over the Camel estuary, relaxed waterside all-day dining and easy access to the bustling town and harbour, making it the perfect spot for exploring foodie Padstow on foot. It has even been named one of the best hotels in Cornwall by the Times.

What our guides say...

Everything you could wish for on a trip of a lifetime on two wheels.

Will
  • All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
  • All breakfasts and x5 dinners (excluding dinner drinks)
  • GPS routes, provided via RideWithGPS (app available for Apple or Android)
  • All special events, iconic points of interests and entrance fees – Entry into The Black Sheep Brewery, Wensleydale Cheese Factory, Honister Slate Mine, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Hidcote Gardens, Blenheim Palace, King Charles’ Gardens, The Roman Baths
  • All transportation from rendezvous to farewell locations
  • All baggage transportation
  • All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
  • Services of a professional local guide

We have handpicked the best family run, independent and country hotels, pubs and guest houses. Cosy and with informal dining, these country hotels are friendly and relaxed, with great menus with locally sourced food and ales. Our handpicked accommodation is 3* with the option to upgrade to 4* for an additional cost.

This tour is rated moderate, meaning it’s appropriate for guests who enjoy a good ride and can handle an incline or two. We cover varied terrain, enjoying some rolling hills and a few steeper climbs which are slightly more demanding. Your holiday, however, will be tailored by your guide to suit your individual preferences. Daily distances range from 25-40 miles. Rewarding views are guaranteed!

  • Bikes (road / hybrid / e-bike (with supplement)
  • Helmets
  • Phone mounts
  • Bike accessories
  • Guests are free to bring their own pedals / saddles, which we will fit to the bikes

Pick-up location: York railway station. Our holidays are designed to be completely stress-free, with the start of our tours sitting within easy reach of London, Bristol or the Midlands. This tour begins from York, a direct 2-hour train journey out of London.

End-of-tour location: Bodmin Parkway railway station, a direct 4.5-hour train journey from London Paddington. If you would like to stay in London for a few extra days, we have city tours available and a list of 4* and 5* partner hotels. Get in touch to find how we can extend your adventure.

What’s the best way to get to the start of the trip?

All of our trips are designed to be easily accessible via public transport and start from train stations served by direct trains from London Paddington. Similarly we’ll transfer you back to a train station at the end of your trip. We’re always happy to help with travel arrangements.

How hilly is England?

There are hills but that also means views! We’ll also make sure you a rewarded with cake and other delicious local food.

Can I join this trip as a solo traveller?

All our trips are open for single travellers to join. You will have a great time on our walking tours whether travelling on your own, as a couple, family or group, meeting like-minded people on our guided trips, or choosing your own adventure on our self-guided tours. “As a single female, I would not hesitate to go on another Active England trip as a solo traveller”. S.G.

Why go on a guided holiday?
Our guides are the beating heart of our tours and can make all the difference to the enjoyment of your walking holiday – so we make sure to choose them VERY carefully! They are driven, knowledgeable, know how to have A LOT of fun and importantly will take you on the ‘road less travelled’ across England. They are know the best spots for making your walking tour truly different and truly magical!

What’s the weather like in England?

Changeable! Devon & Cornwall has a much more tropical climate than the rest of England so it is often warmer and wetter – it’s not uncommon to have sunshine and showers in the same day, or even the same hour! It’s generally very pleasant and settled during the summer. It can be a little cooler up North, so we’d recommend layers and waterproofs. And we always recommend suncream, even on a cloudy day!

Make this trip private

Our private tours are based on our tried and tested group departures with two key differences. They offer you the freedom to travel when you wish and with whoever you’d like to holiday with.

Carbon Footprint

What’s the Number?
Nearly everything has a carbon footprint. Together with ecollective, we’ve measured the carbon impact of not only every tour we operate but our entire business. We’ve taken into account greenhouse gas emissions across the business including office, travel, website, vehicles, accommodation, activities, food, suppliers…

What does the number mean?
We’re going to improve this by measuring and reducing our footprint each year. That means working with our suppliers to make changes that have a more positive impact on us and the planet. What does this look like in reality?

  • Redesign trips to reduce our carbon impact
  • Working closely with all our suppliers across England to join us on our decarbonisation journey
  • Switching up our vehicle fleet to electric
  • Investing in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere for any emissions that remain.

We’ve got a long way to go but we’re on our way to net-zero
We’re committed to reducing our impact on the planet and working towards a sustainable future. We’ve taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year.

 

What people are saying

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Find out more about our latest tours, destinations, activities and stories.

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Scroll to Top

Enquiry Form

    Download Itinerary

    Simply enter your details below to receive the tour itinerary via email.

      By submitting your details you consent to Active England Tours emailing you news of the latest tours and offers. You can unsubscribe at any time.

      Dates & Prices

      Sorry, there are no current departures.

      Available

      £4,799.00

      Book Now

      Available

      £4,799.00

      Book Now

      Available

      £4,799.00

      Book Now

      Available

      £4,799.00

      Book Now

      Enquiry Form

        Dates & Prices

        Available

        £4,799.00

        Book Now

        Available

        £4,799.00

        Book Now

        Available

        £4,799.00

        Book Now

        Available

        £4,799.00

        Book Now

        Due to a high number of requests, we’re extending our group booking offer until 23rd December.

        *Discount applied to final balance. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

        Enquiry Form

        Please complete our form below. Alternatively, book a call at a time to suit you here.