Cycling Tours in the United Kingdom

Head to the north of England to pedal across the beautiful landscapes of the North Pennines; cruise through lush valleys in the picturesque Lake District and follow the flow of the River Tyne to the beautiful golden sands of Tynemouth. Step back in time as you discover fascinating ancient ruins along Hadrian's Wall and uncover quaint English villages sheltering in the burrows of Tyne Valley's rolling hills.

Our small group UK cycling tours follow a point-to-point format meaning you'll travel from one location to another, giving you a real sense of achievement when you arrive at your final destination. Your experienced tour leader will look after all of the logistics; we'll transfer your luggage to a new hotel each night, and provide technical support should you need it.  

Fancy a cycling holiday but new to Explore? We've answered some of your most-asked questions about our cycling trips. 

• North Pennines - Keep the pedals turning as you start to climb Hartside Pass in the North Pennines on our UK Coast To Coast Cycling Tour. In this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the smooth tarmac road zig-zags through heathland, finally reaching the pass where your efforts will be rewarded with panoramic views across verdant rural plains. Roll over the brow of the hill and enjoy a fast, freewheel descent down into the valley before heading into the picturesque village of Alston.
• Lake District - Picture postcard scenery of scenic lakes, lofty crags and spectacular vistas accompany our UK Coast to Coast Cycling Holiday in the Lake District. Dig deep as you steadily climb the forested Whinlatter Pass and stop to refuel on delicious cake before whizzing down to  Keswick. 
• Hadrian's Wall - Cycle across the breadth of England visiting some of Europe's largest surviving Roman monument, Hadrian's Wall, along the way. Mix cycling with history as you pedal along quiet roads, rolling through stunning scenery, and stopping at Birdoswald to explore the ruins of a well-preserved Roman fort. Explore charming villages in South Tyne Valley, then climb up to the vast archaeological site of Vindolanda and stay overnight in Corbridge, whose nearby ruins were once an old Roman garrison town.
• Tyne Valley - The meandering Tyne River gently flows through the grassy meadows of the Tyne Valley in Northern England. Pedal past grazing cattle as you cycle along Hadrian's Wall and take in panoramic views across the wild, windswept countryside. The riverside cycle path leads us through the heart of Newscastle and out to the golden sands of the North Sea coast at King Edward's Bay where we end our four-day ride across the width of England under the shadow of Tynemouth Castle on the headland. 

How challenging are your UK cycling tours?
Our United Kingdom cycling holidays vary in difficulty from Moderate to Challenging. The classic Coast to Coast Cycling Tour averages 75km per day so is better suited to more experienced riders, but our Hadrian's Wall Coast to Coast Cycling Trip takes a more leisurely pace with 39km per day. We grade all of our cycling trips to help you select the best route for your experience and ability - take a look at our Cycling Grades page to find out more.

What bikes do you use on your UK cycling tours?
We will give you a 24-gear Giant Escape 2 unisex hybrid bike to ride. This is included in the cost of your cycling trip. We'll match the frame size to your height and help you to make adjustments for a good and comfortable fit before you set off. We'll also provide an 18-litre pannier and a bottle cage, and if you want to bring your own pedals and saddle we can fit those for you too. For a little bit of extra power up the steep hills of the North Pennines, an electric bike (or e-bike) can be hired for an additional fee.

Are your United Kingdom cycling tours suitable for solo travellers?
Yes, absolutely! All of our small group cycling holidays in the UK are ideal for solo cyclists. Almost half of all the people who join our cycling holidays do so alone, so you'll be joining lots of like-minded adventurers. Take a look at our Guide to Travelling Solo to find out more.