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.
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!
Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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.
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.
Four nights in 3/4* hotels, in double room with en-suite facilities. Single rooms are available as an additional extra.
Your luggage will be transferred from hotel to hotel throughout the trip so you only need to pack a day bag for your essentials.
All routes are mapped out for you to follow. A GPS navigation app is provided for use on IOS or Android smartphones.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Fitted to you and in perfect condition
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.
Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.
Self-Guided Discover Suffolk's stately homes and beautiful gardens on this short but sweet 4D/3N bike tour. Pedal mellow contours while exploring the county's charming history. Self guided with all the routes mapped out.
Coming soon