Top 10 Scenic Cycle Routes

1: Tonbridge Castle to Penshurst Place, Kent 

You needn’t worry about cars on this family cycle route, as it’s almost entirely traffic-free after you leave Tonbridge. From here onwards, you pass through Haysden Country Park, along the peaceful River Medway (where there’s a bit of a climb), before descending into the glorious Penshurst Place estate .

Time Taken: 1 hour
Rating: Suitable For All
Find out more:  Tonbridge Castle to Penshurst Place  

2: Bath To Reading 

The  Kennet and Avon Canal makes its way through some of the loveliest landscapes in the south. Starting in Bath, with its crescents and colonnades, you then pass two viaducts and the dramatic Caen Hill Locks at Devizes. Here, you briefly leave the towpath to follow the country lanes around the Vale of Pewsey, before reuniting with the canal at Marsh Benham for the rest of the route.

Time Taken: 10hrs
Rating: Intermediate
Find out more:  Bath to Reading  

3: Way Of The Roses: Morecambe Bay to Bridlington Bay 

Ever wanted to cycle across the breadth of England? This “coast-to-coast” cycle route is the way to do it. Starting in the “red rose” county of Lancashire, you cruise on through the “white rose” territory of Yorkshire, passing through Lancashire’s  Forest of Bowland (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the Yorkshire Wolds along the way, before reaching the North Sea. Get ready for those hills…

Time Taken: 2-3 days
Rating: Difficult
Find out more:  Way of the Roses  

4: Round the Island Cycle Route, Isle of Wight 

This 62-mile cycle route sticks to quiet roads, with sea views and pretty villages. It’s up to you whether you go round clockwise or anti-clockwise – either way, it’s really well signposted (with Round The Island blue signs), and is reassuringly flat.

Time Taken: 2-3 days (at a leisurely pace)
Rating: Intermediate
Find out more:  Round the Island Cycle Route  

5: Swinley Forest 

This 2,600-acre pinewood forest has hard track trails for all abilities. The mellow woodland paths are ideal if you’re with the family, or why not try out the specific ‘expert’ mountain biking area if you’re up for a white-knuckle ride. One condition of cycling here is that everyone over 16 needs a riding permit, costing just £2.

Rating: Mixed
Time Taken: Various
Find out more:  Swinley Forest  

6: West London Thames Ride 

A great way to get out of the city, this waterside cycle route starts at Kingston and takes you along to Henry VIII’s  Hampton Court Palace , via a smooth riverside path, before you get to the houseboats of Taggs Island and the former racecourse at Hurst Park. By the time you get to Egham the traffic and noise of the city will seem like a million miles away (but it’s actually only 18 miles back).

Rating: Suitable For All
Time Taken: 2 hours
Find out more:  West London Thames Ride  

7: The Manifold Trail, West Midlands 

You have a disused railway line to thank for this rather pretty cycle trail. The route follows the old track through the dramatic limestone gorges – Beeston Tor and Thor’s Cave – the latter a 10-metre opening where ancient stone tools have been found. The going’s pretty easy but if you do find yourself in need of a rest, there’s a pub and visitor centre at Hume End.

Rating: Suitable For All
Time Taken: 2 hours
Find out more:  The Manifold Trail  

8: West Country Way 

It may be 240 miles but there’s plenty to see, if you’ve got the stamina. Starting with Padstow Harbour and the famous  Camel Trail , you make your way onto the vast expanse of Bodmin Moor. From Exmoor onwards, things flatten out on the Somerset Levels, towards Glastonbury, before the last push takes you over the Mendip Hills to either Bath or Bristol – whichever you prefer.

Rating: Difficult
Time Taken: 8 days
Find out more:  West Country Way  

9: C2C, Lake District 

No list of great rides would be complete without mentioning the Lake District, and the C2C (make that ‘Sea to Sea’), is the UK’s most popular ‘challenge’ biking route. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world (or at least of England) as you pass through the northern Lake District before dropping in on the Pennines and descending to the east coast, via the railway paths of County Durham.

Rating: Difficult
Time Taken: Five Days
Find out more:  C2C
 

10: Melksham, North Wiltshire Rivers Route 

There are plenty of sights to satisfy the kids along this 25-mile stretch of the North Wiltshire Rivers Route, including Lacock Abbey (which appeared in the Harry Potter films), Cherhill White Horse and the mysterious ancient stone cycles at Avebury .

Rating: Suitable For All
Time Taken: 3 hours
Find out more:  North Wiltshire Rivers Route