England: Cambridge & East Anglia Bike Tour
Seven nights; seven days of cycling on quiet country lanes through East Anglia.
“A unique tour in an area no other biking company offers. You have a winner here… beautiful countryside with many interesting attractions every day… an incredible experience” – Ron V.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Traditional and beautiful English countryside.
- Ancient cathedrals, hamlets, Victorian architecture.
- Unspoilt beaches, protected forests, and heathland.
- Some of England’s best dining, and excellent pubs.
- English Channel views.
- Visit to the King’s residence at Sandrigham Estate.
- Cambridge guided tour.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Daily Distance:
- DAY 1: Introductions
- DAY 2: ~66km
- DAY 3: ~45 km
- DAY 4: ~50km or ~70km
- DAY 5: ~40km
- DAY 6: ~87km
- DAY 7: ~46km
- DAY 8: Farewells
England: Cambridge and East Anglia Bike – Elevation Profile
(Click image to enlarge)
Elevation Profile
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Ely, Poets House, 14:00, day one. Trains to Ely run regularly from London (1 hour and 15 minutes). For rates and schedules visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Finish: Farewell in Cambridge, 10:00, day eight. Trains to London, Heathrow, and elsewhere in the UK can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
Introductions
Meet at your hotel and get acquainted with your bikes. You will have time to visit Ely Cathedral and the Octagon Tower, a wonder of the medieval world, before a delicious supper. D (Meal inclusions shown for guided trips only. Self-guided trips include breakfasts only).
Poets House, Ely
Ely to Congham ~66km
Stop at the WTT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) Wetland Centre found along the New Bedford River as you ride north. Enjoy easy cycling along the banks of the River Great Ouse, over the Denver Sluices, past the Denver Windmill, through Downham Market, and across the fens of Cambridgeshire – a nice introduction to East England. BLD
Congham Hall Hotel, or, The Ffolkes Arms, Grimston
Congham to Holkham ~45km
A gentle ride to the Norfolk Coast, with a tour of Sandringham House & Park (the King’s private residence). Visit Amner Village (the former country residence of the Prince & Princess of Wales), and the village of the Burnham Market for a late lunch. Ride through the Holkham Estate to the village of Holkham, situated right in the middle of its own nature reserve, beside a magnificent beach, and the stately Holkham Hall.
The Victoria Inn, Holkham
Holkham to Wolterton ~50km or ~70km
Linger in Holkham on the beach at Holkam Hall before cycling east, along the North Norfolk Coast cycle route with the option to continue all the way to the Victorian seaside town of Cromer with its splendid Pier. Spend the afternoon riding along quiet country lanes to your evening’s
Saracen’s Head, Wolterton; or, The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market
Wolterton to Norwich ~40km
Turning inland through the protected Norfolk Broads, you will ride a beautiful winding greenway directly into Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. Spend the afternoon exploring the cobbled streets and touring the Norwich Cathedral. Your inn tonight claims to be the oldest in the United Kingdom and is located in one of the oldest parts of the medieval city.
Maids Head Hotel, Norwich
Norwich to Tuddenham ~87km
Tuddenham Mill has been an enduring landmark in Suffolk history for the past thousand years; the earliest records of the mill were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Since its inception, the building has been extended and has evolved from a working mill into a contemporary restaurant and boutique hotel. BLD
Tuddenham Mill, Newmarket, or, West Stow Hall, West Stow
Tuddenham to Cambridge ~46km
Today’s ride to Cambridge will pass through the horse racing centre of Newmarket. Arrive early in Cambridge and you will have time to punt on the River Cam, taking in the area’s unique vibe, before a walking tour of this famous university town. BD
Graduate Cambridge, or, Regent Hotel, Cambridge
Farewells
Train connections to London make it easy to head to your international flight, or elsewhere in the United Kingdom. B
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2023 Guided:
- May 14-21
- Jun 18-25
- Sep 10-17
- Oct 1-8
2024 Guided:
- May 12-19
- Jun 16-23
- Sep 8-15
- Sep 29-Oct 6
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 4975 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners, luggage handling, guide and vehicle support, maps and route instructions, taxes
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 4395 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, on-call support, maps, route instructions, taxes
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: 1495
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid-Fitness: 295
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
More Reading:
This bike tour in the countryside north of London presents the large skies of Britain’s sunniest coast. With ancient cathedrals, English hamlets, Victorian buildings, unspoilt beaches, beautiful countryside, and protected forests and heathland it is no wonder that the royal family chooses to vacation here.
It is conveniently close to London in an area saturated with history, and beautifully situated in gorgeous countryside. The dining is some of England’s best, and the pretty routes are well-salted with excellent pubs.
You will ride the Norfolk coast, stop to enjoy views over the English Channel from a Victorian pier, visit the queen’s residence at Sandrigham Estate, ride through the unique landscape of the Norfolk Broads, and explore the colleges at Cambridge – the second oldest university in the English-speaking world and a stronghold of intelligentsia. With the oldest arts festival in the country occuring during the spring, and the largest food and drink festival in autumn, there are ample reasons to vist this fascinating part of the world.
