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Cycling the North Yorkshire Moors and Coast

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Cycling the North Yorkshire Moors and Coast

Single / Double

£2290/ £1275

Tour Period

April - November

Tour Nights

7

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Tour description

A six centre self-guided cycle tour of the Yorkshire Moors and Coast in North East England. Includes 7 nights bed and breakfast in ensuite accommodation, 6 days cycling, luggage transfers, emergency back-up and route navigation. Also includes hire of a 21 speed all-terrain cycle. 

 

This tour starts in the mediaeval walled city of York, famous for its splendid Minster and ancient narrow streets. Pedalling out of the city provides you with a great sense of freedom, and you are able to savour this area of outstanding natural beauty, centred on the North York Moors National Park. Best enjoyed on a bike, the slower pace allows you more time to discover the hidden corners and beautiful landscapes of heather-clad moors, lush dales and a cliff-edged coastline. You will also experience many appealing markets and seaside towns, stone-built villages and historic abbeys and houses. The tour includes an extra night in Whitby to enjoy a day off the bikes to explore this beautiful part of England including a possible excursion on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway that runs steam trains through this stunning area. After Whitbey the route heads inland towards Darlington along the W2W. Please note: this tour can be further extended 2 additional nights, first to the Durham area and then to Newcastle, the starting point of the Coast and Castles routes further north.

 
 

Sample schedule

 

6 nights Biking Englands Cathedrals York to Durham
York Minster 6 nights Biking Englands Cathedrals York to Durham Inside York Minster

 

ARRIVAL DAY: York. Your 1st night's accommodation is in the mediaeval city of York, home to England’s largest gothic cathedral and old narrow streets that have hardly changed in centuries. There are many tourist attractions to see here including museums and a wall that can be walked around providing fantastic views of the city and the minster. Overnight: York, England.

DAY ONE: York to Driffield distance approx. 32 miles (55 km). After breakfast your bikes will arrive and you will begin the ride through York on a traffic-free cycleway allowing you time to take in the sights as you become familiar with your bicycle. You’ll ride along quiet country roads lined by dry stone walls through lush green farmland interspersed with market towns such as Dunnington and Pocklington where you will find opportunities for refreshments or lunch. There will be some hills on today’s ride as you cycle on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Moors. Overnight: Driffield, North Yorkshire, England.

DAY TWO: Driffield to Scarborough distance approx. 40 miles (64 km).  Leaving Driffield there are various routes you can take; two pass through the Yorkshire Wolds and another heads to the coast at Bridlington. The Wolds routes use very quiet country lanes through low-lying agricultural land with just a few small villages. Alternatively, minor country roads lead to the North Sea and the popular seaside town of Bridlington, with many tourist attractions. At Hunmanby all the routes converge to continue north along the coast to the even more popular seaside town of Scarborough. A favourite holiday destination for the Victorians, it is still a tourist haven today with an impressive seafront. Overnight: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England.

DAY THREE: Scarborough to Whitby distance approx. 22 miles (35 km). You’ll head out of Scarborough on a disused railway line known as the Cinder Track.  This traffic-free section is one of the many highlights of the tour, with a beautiful coastline on one side and the North York Moors on the other. The route passes pretty villages like Cloughton, Ravenscar and Robin Hood’s Bay, all offering refreshments. Robin Hood’s Bay is a real gem, set in a cove with cliffs on either side. In the 18th century it was reported to be the busiest smuggling community on the Yorkshire coast. Continuing along the old coastal rail line you will see the Abbey at Whitby made famous by Bram Stoker's book Dracula.  This busy tourist seaside town provides your next accommodation. It is also the terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors steam train, and a two night stay in this delightful fishing village is highly recommended. Overnight: Whitby, North Yorkshire, England.

DAY FOUR: Day off in Whitby. There are many options for your day off in Whitby. You may want to plan an excursion on the North Yorkshire Moors steam railway, take a walk along the world famous Cleveland Way coastal walk, or ride your bike a short distance up the coast to Sandsend and explore another section of the coastal walk. Or you could simply enjoy a quiet relaxing day exploring the shops and attractions of this quaint seaside town.

DAY FIVE: Whitby to Great Ayton distance approx 30 miles (48 km). The route now takes you inland along the river Esk valley on minor country roads through an area of outstanding natural beauty on the northern edge of the North York Moors National Park. There will be some good climbs as you cycle past many quaint Yorkshire towns where the popular television series Heartbeat was filmed including Sleights, Danby, Castleton and Commondale. There are opportunities for extra excursions to towns like Grosmont, Glaisdale and Lealholm dotted along the Eskdale Valley Railway line should you have bounds of energy today. Your destination of Great Ayton is a busy market town with a plenty of cafes, tea shops, traditional pubs and restaurants. Overnight: Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, England.

DAY SIX: Great Ayton to Darlington distance approx 26 miles (42 km). Today is an easier cycling day leaving the hills of yesterday behind and following mainly quiet countryside roads west through the River Tees valley. You’ll follow cycle route 165 also known as the W2W. One village will follow another often on paved single track roads with plenty of opportunities to stop for a break at a village pub or green. You will stay overnight in the city of Darlington where your bikes will be picked up on your arrival. Overnight: Darlington, County Durham, England.

DEPARTURE DAY: Your tour with us will end after breakfast. There are good connections by rail from Durham for your onward travels, or you can extend your cycle tour from here by cycling to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, the starting location of the Coast and Castles cycle routes.

 

The type of Hybrid Bike hired for this tour: Giant Cypress LX (mans frame, ladies available also).

7 nights Cycling in North Yorkshire England. This is the type of bike we rent on this tour.

FINAL DAY: York. Today you can enjoy another day in York, before departure.

Travel Description

ARRIVING and DEPARTING by EUROLINES or NATIONAL EXPRESS COACH: This is by far the cheapest option for long-distance travel in England, Scotland, and Wales. There are very convenient buses from each major airport. National Express carries over 16 million passengers to 1000 different places in the UK every year, and thousands more from destinations across Europe and Ireland. You can purchase an e-Ticket where you print your travel ticket online in a matter of minutes OR you can obtain an m-Ticket and have your travel ticket sent to your mobile phone - no paper ticket required. You then present this to the driver on arrival.

ARRIVING BY CAR: Please ask for details.

Tour Start Location

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If you want to book this cycling tour, or chat about an altered schedule, please use the 'Enquire Now' tab above or contact us on richard@xplorebritain.com

Related Categories
Tour Code:

EW07

Options

Discount rail tickets to and from York

Grade

C

Grade Description

GRADE C: Between 9 - 12 miles (14 - 19 kms) a day. Strong waterproof walking boots are desirable. You will start walking about 9:30am and finish at approx. 5pm. These grades are for guidance only. For any grade, depending on weather conditions, it may at times be damp underfoot, so waterproof boots are preferable.

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Richard - 
 
After stopping off in Wisconsin for a few days, we have now returned back to our home in Montana and begun settling in. I've finished cropping and editing all the pictures I took and they look great! We will review and remember our wonderful trip many times throughout the winter months and beyond. Fletchers should also be back home, and we'll get together this coming week to swap our stories of Reeth and the Cotswolds. 
 
Doug and I just want to thank you again for organizing such a terrific trip! Your thoughtful attention to details in routing and lodging, and your personal care was so very much appreciated. 
 
If ever we get the chance to return, or hear of anyone else planning such a trip, you can be assured that we will be contacting you. 
 
I hope your fall season is enjoyable. 
Thank you again. 
Warm regards, 
Mindy and Doug Ferrell
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Doug and Mindy Ferrell
Yorkshire tour