Grand Tour of Suffolk

Head through the lanes to Debenham, a pretty village with its over-hanging houses and antique shops, then on to Saxtead Green. Here you can visit the beautifully restored 18c post mill and, perhaps, take refreshment at the inn nearby. A detour to one of the vineyards in the area is well worth the visit.
You spend the night in the quiet market town of Framlingham where the 12th century castle, the one-time home of Mary Tudor, and church are both superb.

Mileage: Rec 22; Min 21; Max 38 miles

Follow quiet lanes through the villages of Laxfield and the South Elmhams to the small market town of Bungay, situated on a loop of the beautiful River Waveney, where attractions include the ruins of Bigod’s Castle, the ancient Buttercross, the 19c. Fisher Theatre and St Mary’s Church, site of the legend of ‘The Black Dog of Bungay’, before heading south to the market town of Halesworth for the night.

Mileage: Rec 35; Min 19; Max 42 miles

Head south-east, striking the coast as the road ends abruptly at the crumbling cliffs of Covehithe. Here you can almost touch the atmosphere at the melancholic ruins of the enormous medieval church before turning south towards the gleaming lighthouse and red pantiled roofs of Southwold.

Mileage: Rec 21; Min 13; Max 21 miles

A relaxing day in Southwold, a delightful cliff top town of narrow streets and spacious greens surrounded by cottages in flint, brick and colour wash. You may wish to stretch your legs and cycle inland, following the River Blyth, to see the magnificent church at Blythburgh.

Cross the River Blyth to Walberswick by footbridge before heading south across heather clad heath land to see what remains of the medieval port of Dunwich. Continue through the RSPB reserve at Minsmere and on to the elegant seaside town of Aldeburgh, where fishermen haul their boats onto the beach just across the road from your hotel.

Mileage: Rec 21; Min 21; Max 28 miles

Going inland to find river crossings, you visit the arts centre at Snape, climb to the top of dramatic Orford Castle, possibly taking a boat trip from Orford Quay.
Onward then to the tip of Orford Ness at quiet and beautiful Shingle Street, followed by a visit to the site of the Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo before finally arriving in Woodbridge for the night.
If you were to miss out either Shingle Street or Orford, then the distances would fall to 28 or 26 miles respectively.

Mileage: Rec 37; Min 16; Max 43 miles

You may choose to have a complete rest and spend the day exploring the lovely town of Woodbridge or do just a little cycling and take in a boat trip on the Deben from Waldringfield. Alternatively, you may prefer a full days ride around the Deben estuary, visiting the traditional seaside resort of Felixstowe, crossing the estuary mouth by small ferry and visiting Shingle Street and Sutton Hoo if you didn’t get time on Day Seven.

Mileage: Rec 11 – 30; Min 0; Max 35 miles

Take time to explore Woodbridge and visit the Tide Mill before climbing back onto your bikes and pedalling along quiet Suffolk lanes, passing through the pretty villages of Bealings, Tuddenham and Kersey.
You spend the night in either Hadleigh or Bildeston, attractive market towns with fine old buildings and quiet riverside walks.

Mileage: Rec 24; Min 24; Max 34 miles

Heading into the heart of ‘Constable Country’, you’ll explore East Bergholt his birthplace, Flatford Mill where a guided walking tour visits seven sites painted by Constable including the ‘Haywain’.
Continue on to Stoke by Nayland, whose church tower is featured in many of Constable’s paintings, and finally to the famous ‘Wool Town’ of Lavenham for the night.

Mileage: Rec 30; Min 12; Max 35 miles

First stop after Lavenham is Long Melford, with its mile long high street crammed with antique shops and two Tudor mansions, Melford Hall and Kentwell Hall.
A detour takes you to the ancient market town of Sudbury, birthplace of artist Thomas Gainsborough, before arriving at Castle Hedingham with its well preserved Norman Keep.
Finally to Clare, another of the beautiful villages in the area, where you spend the night.

Mileage: Rec 27: Min 15: Max 30 miles.

Journey north to see Ickworth, an extraordinary oval house with flanking wings, owned by the National Trust. Cycle on to Bury St Edmunds, a thriving market town, full of history and old Suffolk charm. Walk through the massive stone gateway to the ruined abbey, set in beautiful gardens; visit the twice weekly market or take a drink at The Nutshell, the smallest pub in Britain.

Mileage: Rec 18; Min 17; Max 35 miles.

Travelling from Bury St Edmunds you cycle northwards in an area of country renowned for its windmills, big blue skies and exceptionally quiet lanes. Visit Wyken Hall vineyard and the mills at Pakenham, Bardwell and Thelnetham before you come to the steam railways and beautiful gardens at Bressingham, just over the Norfolk border. After your visit, return across the border into Suffolk to spend the night in the historic village of Rickinghall at an historic coaching inn.

Mileage: Rec 35; Min 28; Max 38 miles

First stop is the wonderfully atmospheric museum housed in the former control tower of a WWII American airbase. Step further back in time when you discover the magnificent medieval great hall at Wingfield Old College, lingering, perhaps, for a drink at the excellent pub across the lane.
Then on to the pretty village of Debenham, where you can browse the antique shops before detouring to the moated mansion and beautiful gardens and parkland of Helmingham Hall. Relax with a cream tea before riding back through the pretty village of Coddenham.

Mileage: Rec 34; Min 24; Max 38 miles