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Constable Country & Lavenham

Tour: 4A
Circular Cycling Holiday
Hotel To Hotel Cycling Holiday

Explore the gently rolling, oh-so-English landscapes immortalised by Constable and pedal at your own pace through the beautiful half-timbered villages- the legacy of Suffolk’s medieval wool trade-based wealth. This leisurely tour takes in the very best of both worlds, and being on the saddle gives it all a special immediacy and added dimension. Somehow taking time gives you time to take it all in, amidst the natural peace of country lanes and the respectful silence of person-powered pedals! Read More

Destination

England

Start Day

Any Day

Board Basis

Bed & Breakfast

Prices from

£614.00

Duration

4 Days, 3 Nights

Availability

Feb - Nov

Tour Grade

Grade 2 (Easy)

Read Overview
Home > England > Constable Country & Lavenham

Overview

A leisurely tour combining the historic ‘Wool Towns’ with the beautiful villages and rolling countryside of ‘Constable Country’.

Tour Code:
4A
Activity:
Cycling
Type:
Circular Cycling Holiday, Hotel To Hotel Cycling Holiday
Country:
England
Area:
Suffolk
Duration:
4 Days, 3 Nights
Board Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Availability:
Feb - Nov

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive & explore

Arrive at Needham Market, explore the area and spend your first night in or near this small market town.

Day 2 Constable’s home & inspiration

A detour takes in the lovely Shotley peninsular before you rejoin the recommended route just before East Bergholt, the birthplace of John Constable. Down the hill then to Flatford Mill, where you can take a guided Constable appreciation tour, go rowing on the River Stour or enjoy a break in the riverside tea-room. Finally to the pretty village of Dedham with its antique shops, craft market and striking church.

Mileage: Rec 31 Min 19 Max 46

Day 3 Weaving around the wool towns

A fascinating day’s ride to the ‘Wool Town’ of Hadleigh, reportedly the 14th! most prosperous town in the country in the14th and 15th centuries. On to the half-timbered houses of Kersey, certainly one of the prettiest villages in England, and then to Lavenham. Here you spend the night surrounded by the jumble of Tudor houses in this most famous ‘Wool Town’.

Mileage: Rec 27 Min 20 Max 33

Day 4 Heading homeward

More time to explore Lavenham before a leisurely ride back to Needham Market. The energetic can visit the magnificent Ickworth House, taste wine at Gifford’s Hall vineyard or visit the Museum of East Anglian Life at Stowmarket.

Mileage: Rec 24 Min 16 Max 40

Dates & Prices

Download Prices

For tour start days/dates, seasons and all prices, please click on the PRICES button above

PRICE INCLUDES

Ensuite accommodation as described with full English breakfast (prices based on two adults sharing)

Hire of hybrid bicycle and ancillary equipment (single pannier and handlebar bag or map holder, pump, basic tools, spare inner tube & puncture repair equipment, helmet if required)

Luggage transfer between hotels

Local assistance on call (we will attend for puncture repair in Suffolk)

Detailed itinerary with meticulously planned and researched routes following quiet country lanes with a choice of routes available each day (usually recommended, long and short)

Route notes, descriptions and use of good OS mapping (maps available on arrival). We pride ourselves on our detailed level of documentation which includes plenty of top tips for places to visit or for relaxing and sampling the local fare along the way. We send electronic versions of these documents by email approximately two weeks before your stay so you can plan ahead and look forward to your gentle cycling adventure

We have now switched the default navigation system to GPS – in our opinion this is now the most convenient method as it eliminates the need for frequent stops to check the map

  • We provide you with access to a premium GPS smartphone navigation app (IOS or Android) and send you links so that you can download all of the route options before you leave home.  We will provide a handlebar bracket for your phone if required; it is also recommended that you bring a spare battery/powerbank to make sure that your phone lasts the day
  • We can also provide GPS tracks in whatever format if you prefer to load them into your own GPS Unit
  • Finally, we can provide a limited number of GPS  units with the routes preloaded – this is on a first come first served basis – please let us know as soon as  you can if  you would like to use one
  • We will also provide OS 1:50,000 mapping on arrival as additional support to allow for any impromptu route changes
  • Traditional map-based navigation (using marked OS maps) is still available as an alternative at extra cost upon request (at least two weeks in advance)
Please note that the price EXCLUDES

Costs of getting to and from the start point

Accommodation Options

Selected 3 star hotels in Bildeston and Dedham and a comfortable 5 star inn at Long Melford.

We are pleased to discuss details on request.

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