A cyclist on an empty rural road

Suffolk - UK

Suffolk Discovery: Constable & Lavenham Cycling Tour

Self-Guided 5 days

A leisurely tour combining the historic 'Wool Towns' with the beautiful villages and rolling countryside of 'Constable Country'. Self guided with all the routes mapped out and luggage transfers included.

Style
Touring
Gain
Distance
217 km
Level
Easy

Tour overview

Refreshing two-wheeled adventure in the UK

Explore the rolling hills and babbling brooks of the beautiful English countryside immortalised in paintings by John Constable. Pedal through these calm green landscapes, through pretty half-timbered hamlets and villages and discover the legacy of Suffolk’s mediaeval wool trade in villages such as Lavenham and Clare. 

The self-guided nature of this tour allows you to take each route at your own pace, and stop whenever you feel like a rest or bite to eat at one of the local pubs. All the routes are mapped out for you and accommodation in charming hotels and B&Bs is all arranged, so all you have to concentrate on is pedalling!

Start point
Ipswich
End point
Ipswich
See program for full itinerary
Flying in
London Stansted
Flying out
London Stansted

Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com

Highlights of your cycling trip

Self Guided

This tour has been designed specifically for you to enjoy at your own pace. Before you arrive, you will be given detailed information, including maps and GPS routes to follow using your phone or bike computer. You decide how much you want to push your legs each day, and take as many or as little stops as you feel are necessary.

Support vehicle

Luggage Transfers

Your luggage will be transferred from one hotel to the next whilst you are busy cycling during the day, so you don’t have to worry about carrying anything with you. We do however recommend that you pack the essentials, including plenty of water, some high energy snacks and money for lunch and other stops along the way.

Comfortable Hotels

Each night you’ll be staying in a three or four star hotel or B&B along your route. Each one has been selected due to its quality and location, meaning they are all close to the start and end of each daily route. Each one offers safe and secure bike storage and a very comfortable stay so you can relax after a day in the saddle. You will also be able to grab a meal at the end of each day.

Tour destination

Suffolk - UK

Suffolk is a green and charming region perched on the United Kingdom’s East coast. It is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers many cycling routes that weave through the coastal towns and villages that punctuate the National Cycling Network. These villages exude traditional English charm, with multicoloured rows of mediaeval houses and a very calm way of life. The roads too tend to be quiet, making it a great area for year-round riding and cyclists of all levels. When the sun is shining, there really is no better way to explore these secluded country roads and rolling hills than by bike.

Discover More
  • Weather

    Suffolk enjoys quite good weather all year round and is one of the driest regions in England. Summers are warm and winters don’t tend to get too cold, making Suffolk a great place for year-round cycling. The hottest month of the year tends to be July, but even so, temperatures rarely get above 30 degrees.

  • Terrain

    Suffolk offers a mix of flat and hilly terrain. It is well known for its farming, and a lot of the land is cultivated, but that doesn’t take away from its natural beauty. It is a fine example of the beautiful English countryside. The Suffolk coast and heaths and Dedham Vale are both nationally designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

  • Culture

    Outdoor sports are popular in this area of the UK. Walkers, hikers and cyclists are often seen exploring the countryside at the weekends, especially in warm weather. Enjoy pedalling along the quiet country lanes and through these beautiful mediaeval villages where it seems time has stood still.

Accommodation during your tour

3/4* Hotels

Ipswich, Bildeston, and Bury St Edmunds

All your accommodation for this self-guided tour of Suffolk has been booked ready for when you arrive. You will be staying in three or four star hotels or B&Bs along your route in Ipswich, Bildeston, and Bury St Edmunds. Each has been carefully selected based on its quality, comfort and proximity to the start and end of each of your routes. The rooms are well-furnished and have en-suite facilities.

Tour itinerary

Your guide to a perfect cycling tour

Marvel at this magical mediaeval village
  • Distance
    37-47 km

Day 2 begins with a train journey from Ipswich to Needham Market. The train leaves at 9.21 am and takes less than 10 minutes to reach your destination (one ticket is around £5, not included in the price of the tour). Needham Market is a pretty English village that dates back to the 15th century and many of its buildings are Grade II listed.

You’ll meet up with the rest of the group at Needham Market Station. If you are planning on renting a bike instead of taking your own, this is where it will be fitted. Today’s route is between 37 and 47 km in length and explores the area of Lavenham. It is a wonderfully preserved mediaeval village, whose streets are lined with half-timbered houses and narrow lanes lead into a central market square. 

Lavenham is known around the UK as a wool town, meaning that its mediaeval wealth came from the wool trade. This legacy is still visible today in the form of grand stately homes and fine timber architecture.

Getting there

Information to help you book your flights and get around.

Any questions about flights and transfers? The Epico team is here for you. Ping us via the chatbot in the corner of your page or send an email to [email protected]

Flying in

Fly in airport options: London Stansted.

When best to arrive: the morning the day the tour starts.

Where the tour starts: check-in to Ipswich hotel at any time, cycling starts on Day 2 meeting at Ipswich Train Station at 09:00.

Transfers: not included, please make your way from London to Ipswich.

Flying out

Fly out airport options: London Stansted.

When best to depart: in the evening of the day the tour ends or the next day, the tour ends at 16:00.

Where the tour ends: Needham Market.

Transfers: not included, please make your way back to London.

Tour essentials

What’s included in your cycling trip.

  • 4 Nights Accommodation

    Four nights in 3/4* hotels, in double room with en-suite facilities. Single rooms are available as an additional extra.

  • Support vehicle
    Luggage Transfers

    Your luggage will be transferred from hotel to hotel throughout the trip so you only need to pack a day bag for your essentials.

  • Planned Routes

    All routes are mapped out for you to follow. A GPS navigation app is provided for use on IOS or Android smartphones.

Cycling bottle

What’s not included in your cycling trip.

  • Flights

    Flights are not included in the tour package. Please follow our advice about which flights will be best suited for this tour. Reach out to us if you have any questions about flights.

  • Insurance

    We strongly recommend that you obtain dedicated health insurance that covers your sports activities. Reach out to us if you have questions about the insurance.

  • Meals

    Meals are not included in this tour. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants and pubs along the routes for you to enjoy the local Suffolk flavours.

  • Ride Guide

    This tour is self-guided. You will be provided with routes and a GPS app to help you along the way, but there will not be a guide riding with you.

Extra
Bike rental
Only £52 for the entire trip

It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, high quality hybrid bikes or e-bikes are available for rental for the duration of the tour. The fleet is made up of well maintained, adult bicycles from Dawes and Claud Butler with youth and child bikes from Squish also available on request. All bikes are mechanically checked and adjusted before each and every hire. 

You can select this option when you proceed to checkout. 

Price includes comprehensive insurance, mechanical service and components.

Hybrid Bike Hire

Fitted to you and in perfect condition

More things to maximise your cycling trip

  • EXTRA
    Single accommodation
    £233 per person for entire trip

    If you’d like a whole room to yourself, that’s no problem. For an extra £233 for the trip duration, you can enjoy the comfort of your own room. Just select this option when you proceed to book your tour.

Booking options

Choose when you want to travel

Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.

  • Guarantee a spot during busy periods
  • Only 30% down payment to secure your place
  • Fair & Transparent Cancellation Policy
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Booking options