With cycle-hire schemes in almost every city and town, plus more and more dedicated bike lanes and cycle docking stations appearing all over, there’s never been a better time to explore Britain’s towns and cities by bike.
Cycling along river pathways, back-streets and hidden passageways, the Secret London Bike Tour from Brakeaway Bike Tours explores the financial district, the legends and mystery of the Docks and the secrets of Harry Potter’s London.
Owain from Red Bike Tours promises to show you some unknown secrets of London as he leads an intimate group through the backstreets of The City district. Circle St Paul’s Cathedral, stop for lunch in the bustling Borough Market and discover history from the Romans through to the present day.
Get all the royal gossip with Fat Tire Tours. Over four hours, your small group will cycle through London’s green Royal Parks and past spectacular palaces, stopping to grab cake and coffee in the iconic surrounds of Hyde Park.
The Original Bike Tour by London Bicycle will hit up all the hotspots, taking you past the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market, across Tower Bridge and finally to St. Paul’s Cathedral, all in three and a half hours.
Explore London’s East End to discover colourful street art and insights into London’s past with Alternative London. Cruise alongside canals as you explore some of London’s coolest neighbourhoods.
If you are after a guided bike tour of London, you’re spoilt for choice. In addition to a Discover London Tour using classic British Raleigh bikes, Red Bike Tours also offers a private tour option, complete with a personal concierge service. Fat Tire Tours features specialised routes around royal London, while those looking to discover a different side to the capital can take an Alternative London Bike Tour of the vibrant East End. Or join a themed bike tour with Tally Ho! Popular themes include Sin & Salvation, Landmarks & Gems and City & Secrets.
For an independent adventure, rent one of the many Santander bikes in docking stations all over London and head off along the Thames Path, especially the five mile (8km) section from Greenwich to Tower Bridge and Putney. This route takes in Greenwich’s rich maritime past, industrial history on the Rotherhithe peninsula, and the iconic Tower of London.
Cycling is one of the best ways to experience London like a local – check out ten of the best London cycling routes to plan your own adventure.
Explore #BrumByBike with a self-guided digital tour. The Tolkien Route follows the footsteps of the Lord of the Rings writer, while the 12-mile (19km) Cadbury route will lead you through the history of the Cadbury family and Bournville Village.
The uber-cool metropolis of Manchester has created the Bee Network, the UK’s largest cycling and walking network, with a bike-sharing scheme. Manchester Bike Hire is also available if you want to nip across the city on two wheels.
One of Manchester’s more established cycle routes is the Ashton Canal Cycleway, offering six miles (10km) of traffic-free cycling between the city centre and Ashton-under-Lyne. Starting from Piccadilly Gardens, this canal-side path passes the National Cycling Centre velodrome, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and the living history museum of Clayton Hall.
Head down to Brighton on England’s south coast for a quintessentially British beach break. You can take in the sights with Brighton Bike Tours, hire a Californian-style cruiser from Brighton Beach Bikes, or simply discover the streets on a BTN Bike, the city’s bike-sharing scheme.
Don’t miss the 10-mile (16km) stretch of the National Cycle Network, linking the village of Rottingdean to Shoreham Port. Hugging the coastline, this route provides striking cliff-top views and passes Brighton’s vibrant marina, the iconic West Pier and plenty of traditional beach huts.
A Beatles tour on electric bikes means that this three-and-a-half-hour route will be a breeze. It features Liverpool’s famous Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, the grave of Eleanor Rigby and John Lennon’s house.
Bustling Bristol is a brilliant city to get around by bike. Cycle the City offers classic sightseeing tours, or you can create your own itinerary with a rental bike.
The Bristol Docks Cycle Loop takes in views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Cathedral, as well as several harbourside eateries. Or you could head to the coast along the 11-mile (18km) Bristol to Portishead route, passing the splendid Queen Square and travelling under the famous suspension bridge along the Avon Gorge.
The Welsh capital, Cardiff, is a compact city that lends itself nicely to sightseeing by bike, particularly around Cardiff Bay, its revitalised docklands with a lively waterfront. Accessible bike hire, as well as sales and repairs, is available at the city’s Pedal Power centres.
A lovely cycle route is the four mile (seven kilometre) circular trail from Cardiff Bay to the seaside town of Penarth. This leisurely route crosses the Pont y Werin (The People’s Bridge) and is traffic-free. Or explore the River Taff, pretty parks and green spaces on a 16.5-mile (26.5km) section of the 55-mile (93km) Taff Trail.
Edinburgh Bike Tours has a range of options for exploring the Scottish capital. This includes a 26-mile (42km), five-hour Coast and Bridges Guided Cycle Tour which starts in the city centre before venturing out to the east coast of Scotland, and a shorter seven mile (12km) Discover Edinburgh City Centre Tour. The shorter tour takes you through the historic heart of the city stopping at various points to hear about the history, culture and people of Edinburgh. You can hire mountain, road or electric bikes from the central Cycle Scotland. Or join A Wee Pedal for a cycle through the Victorian-era Innocent Tunnel and onto Craigmillar Castle, where you can explore where Mary Queen of Scots escaped.
A stand-out route through Edinburgh makes up part of the National Cycle Network’s Route 1. Picked up near Haymarket train station, the four mile (six km) stretch takes in the shopping district of George Street and parts of the Old Town, passing Edinburgh University and the peaceful George Square Gardens. It then joins the Innocent Railway Path tunnel, which passes under the extinct volcano, Arthur’s Seat. From there, you can continue onto Duddingston Loch, the only natural freshwater loch in Edinburgh.
Cycle Britain has e-bike itineraries to suit all budgets, requirements and fitness levels. Go from Land’s End to John O’Groats across 23 days, or explore the islands of the Outer Hebrides on a week-long tour.
Cycle Britain has e-bike itineraries to suit all budgets, requirements and fitness levels. Go from Land’s End to John O’Groats across 23 days, or explore the islands of the Outer Hebrides on a week-long tour.
