Edinburgh to London Cycle tour
The Edinburgh to London cycle tour covers over 800 kms, with seven days of cycling. The route is safe, avoiding traffic, even in London, making the tour ideal for school groups. The routing takes you alongside the sea, over the mountains, through some spectacular scenery in the countryside, then using special cycle paths in the cities to keep away from the traffic.
Itinerary at a Glance
- Starting in Edinburgh and travelling to London taking the scenic route.
- Experienced coach and driver to follow the tour to help with breakdowns and rescues.
- Luggage taken in the coach, so you are free to ride light.
- Well planned, researched and used route that is a proven success.
- City tours in Edinburgh, York, Cambridge and London.
- Stops at highlights on the way.
- Combination of special cycle only paths, quite roads and byways.
Day Two – Arrive in Scotland
- Tour met in Edinburgh for the transfer to the hotel. The coach is large, with plenty of space to allow for all the bikes, equipment and luggage. Afternoon short city tour of Edinburgh, taking in the main sights and then the remainder of the day is free to explore independently and prepare bikes for the journey.
Day Three – Free day in Edinburgh
- Enjoy the lively Edinburgh Festival, sightseeing and more time to set up and test the bikes or find spares as required.
Day Four – The cycling begins. Edinburgh, Scotland to Alnwick, England, 144 kms, some steep climbs
- A touring coach will take the group from today until Cambridge on day ten. This is a large coach with plenty of space for the equipment and luggage. The driver is experienced with cycling tours and so is very patient, able to help with roadside repairs and prepared to stop frequently to check on the group as they are cycling each day. The route out of Edinburgh is mainly along car free cycle paths including a tunnel !! The cyclists progress along marked cycle routes on quiet roads across the Borders with some stunning scenery. This is the hardest day of cycling with some very steep climbs. The coach won’t follow directly with the group as it is too slow for the vehicle but will meet the tour at strategic points each day. The driver has a cell-phone so can be contacted for breakdowns or other matters
Day Five – Alnwick to Langdale Beck, 150 kms
- Another tough day with some steep climbs, but also some long descents for relief ! A brief visit to Housesteads Roman Fort. Then south to Langdale Beck – this is a shorter distance than day four, but it is hilly with steep peaks. The scenery is rewarding and the cyclists can expect quiet roads. Included are the stepping stones over the river (you can cycle over the bridge if you prefer). Sample route detail
Day Six – Langdale Beck to York, 145 kms
- Today the tour descends from the moors and then travels across flatter countryside to York. The final section runs alongside the river into York, thereby missing all the roads except for the last 200 metres to the youth hostel.
Day Seven – Exploring York. Rest day
- Well-deserved rest day starts with a morning walking tour in the city with local guide taking in the splendid sights of historic York – the city walls, the Minster, the Shambles. The afternoon is then free to explore the city.
Day Eight – York to Sherwood Forest, 120 kms
- The tour heads south with a traffic free ride for almost a third of the route. The journey out of York takes the tranquil riverside route and then passes the grounds of York horse racecourse to join a long cycle route along a converted train track. From here it’s through the old docks at Goole and then a long flat run beside the River Trent, before travelling across country to Sherwood Forest.
Day Nine – Sherwood Forest to Peterborough, 125 kms
- Continuing south with a choice of car free routes, cycle paths and some smaller local roads. The country roads lead to Newark, for the busy market day. This is a chance to view the pretty square, before taking the cycle route along the old railway line. Then more quiet country roads to Stamford, before heading cross country and the final stretch through a large country park on cycle paths to the outskirts of Peterborough.
Day Ten – Peterborough to Cambridge, 70 kms
- The tour covers mainly flat landscape all the way to Cambridge. Between Huntingdon and Cambridge it is a car free cycle route for almost the whole distance alongside the new guided way bus route. The final short stretch is cycle paths through Cambridge.
Day Eleven – Exploring Cambridge on foot. Rest day.
- This a rest day and a chance to stretch out the legs and enjoy the atmosphere of Cambridge with a walking tour of the city. The afternoon is free to explore this fine pedestrian city, take in some shopping or perhaps a punt along the river.
Day Twelve – Cambridge to London, 110 kms, avoiding London roads
- The first part of the route is car free, following the guided bus lanes, leading onto quiet country roads and more car free paths through to Harlow and Broxbourne. Here the tour follows the River Lea all the way into London on a riverside towpath. This is a safe route with priority given only to the few walkers you expect to encounter. The route takes the cyclists all the way down the river as far as the Olympic Stadium, where they turn west onto the car free Union Canal towpath to Islington where it stops when the canal goes through a tunnel. It is just a few hundred metres from here to the hotel.
Day Thirteen - Discover London
- In the morning a city tour to take in and enjoy the main sights, followed by a free afternoon to explore the city. In the evening it’s off to the theatre for a performance of Lion King.
Day Fourteen – Free day in London
- London is one of the world’s greatest cities – there is a huge wealth of places to visit or experience.
Day Fifteen – Return flight
- A large coach with plenty of luggage space takes the group to LHR airport.