Exploring by bike or foot, adventuring through beautiful scenery and discovering all the best spots is a great way to see and experience the real England at its finest. With a range of different locations and routes available, as well as having the option of guided or self-guided tours, there is an adventure to suit all needs and abilities.
Here is a helpful list of everything you need to know before starting your Active England tour.
What is Included on Guided Tours
On our guided tours, an expert local tour guide will be with you at all times, along with a support vehicle which is always on hand for guests to jump in to for a break. Daily luggage transfers, GPS guidance, maps, route options and written instructions, as well as emergency assistance are also provided daily. With our cycling tours, bikes and helmets are included as standard. We have a team of handy mechanics that are ready to fix all equipment issues which may arise, and they’ll get you back on the road as soon as possible. Find out more on our Guided Tours page.
What is Included on Self-Guided Tours
Our self-guided tours mirror our guided tours by giving you the chance to choose your own stops, speeds, and trails on the journey. Self-guided tours offer you the freedom to travel at your own pace, whilst still including pick-ups and a nearby support vehicle with a daily ‘bailout’ option available. Bikes and helmets are available for cycling tours and will be carefully chosen based on what you’re looking for and best suits your journey. Luggage transfers, GPS guidance, and maps with written instructions are offered to help you get started, but you have the final say and can pick and choose exactly what suits you.
Equipment and clothes for an active holiday
We have a fleet of bikes ranging from Giant to e-bikes, to ensure everyone is catered for. Helmets are provided as standard, so all you need are shoes and pedals, if you have them. It’s important to wear something comfortable, but also suitable. Layering up proves an effective way of regulating your temperature in England’s changeable weather. We have our own Active England Tshirts to buy as a souvenir and to wear during your holiday
Guides
If you want to get to know more about our nine amazing Guides – who they are, where they’re from and how long they’ve been with the company, check out our Guides page for all the information you need.
Accommodation and food in England
With a range of exceptional accommodation options available, from multi-award-winning hotels, to cosy B&Bs or pubs, each has been carefully selected by our experienced tour experts. Offering a variety of room types, and of course delicious food which caters for all dietary requirements, our accommodation gives you the perfect place to rest and re-energise after an active day of touring.
Transfer times and meeting points
Many of tours begin from London. The meeting point is always at London Paddington railway station, where guests are picked up at the clock on Platform 1. From here a coach will take you to your next destination. In order for tours to run smoothly, we ask all guests to arrive at meeting points promptly, to avoid any delays.
Weather
The weather in the UK can be hard to predict and often has a bad reputation. But, come rain or shine, you are sure to enjoy your tour. Regardless of what the weather is doing, we can plan around it to ensure that you can make the most of your trip and stay on track. For more information on what to do if the weather does affect your tour have a look at our handy Weather page which has all the information you need.
Local Customs
Our tours include pit stops at a variety of pubs and cafes, with opportunities to purchase souvenirs in the many gift shops along the way, so it is important to come prepared with the local currency. Due to the rural destinations in our tours, the opportunity to exchange currency cannot be guaranteed.
British tipping culture is somewhat different to America. Tipping is not expected, although you may spot the odd jar for tips or a service charge already added on the bill. If you feel it is deserved, we recommend tipping your tour guide at the end of the trip as a thank you.
Cancellation procedures
All tours are guaranteed to run, unless in extremely rare cases whereby sufficient notice will be provided. The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection for your tour booking as set out in our booking conditions.
We only ask for a 15% deposit at the time of booking!
Group size and ability
Each tour size is different, depending on demand, but groups tend not to exceed 15 people. It is also variable depending on the duration of your tour booking, with some guests staying for the full duration and others coming and going for shorter periods of time. Our tours are guaranteed to accommodate all fitness levels, with each group including a variety of abilities. You will have the option to walk or cycle anywhere between 10 to 45 miles each day.
Proximity to points of interest
Tours will take you right to the iconic places you’ve been dying to see, whether that be walking or cycling to Windsor Castle or the Roman Baths. Payment to enter these stops on your way is included within the price of our guided tours. It is the mix of biking and walking, with the opportunity to visit some of the most historic places of interest that sets our tours apart. For more information on the destinations you can choose to visit on our tours, please visit the Locations page.
Additional Side Trips
If you decide you want to hang on in the English countryside that bit longer and one tour just isn’t enough, then do enquire with your tour guide and we’ll see what can be arranged. We often add in Royal Shakespear Company Plays, a trip to see Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle), or to visit the home of William Morris – anything is possible, just ask!
Now you have all the information you need to start your Active England tour, it’s time to pack your bags and get ready for your adventure to begin!