The Suffolk Smoothie
This really refreshing two-wheeled adventure is so short and sweet that it’s sure to go down a treat. Just pedal away gently, following the flow of Suffolk’s most mellow contours, rolling with the countryside from village to charming half-timbered village. Stop off for a sip at the Punchbowl or rest a while by the Ram at the heart of the historic wool town of Hadleigh. Weave your way through ‘wonky’ Lavenham, that most famous medieval labyrinth of wool and cloth merchants’ houses. To crown it all, stay over in beautiful Bildeston at a time-honoured inn that’s brimful of local flavours. Who thought that just one night away could ever be such a great and satisfying tonic? Read More
England
Any Day
Bed & Breakfast
£225.00
2 Days, 1 Night
Mar - Nov
Grade 2 (Easy)
Overview
Treat yourself to this two-day, great little cycling adventure through one of the most picturesque parts of Suffolk and stay at a very special, Grade 2 listed former coaching inn right at the very heart of the historic wool towns area. With short and longer route options provided, you can tailor your two days in the saddle to be just the way you want them. From Needham Market to Bildeston and back again, follow the folds of the landscape down quiet country lanes to catch sight of some enchanting vistas. Pedal past fine rural churches, through hamlets of pink thatched cottages. The country pubs en route make for superb stop offs, but your overnight in Bildeston has to be the ‘Crown’-inn glory.
“A great cycling trip. A wonderful weekend, such a relaxing, easy-going and peaceful ride! We don’t cycle often, but the route was ideal for us.” Mr & Mrs R. (London)
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive & cycle on out there!
Arrive at Needham Market and get straight down to cycling business with an excellent day’s ride. Head gently up above the Gipping Valley and round through some of Suffolk’s amazing medieval villages with Suffolk’s wonderful churches and historic pubs punctuating the way. There’s a punchbowl and tiny bell tower to look out for at Battisford, and six more bells to tempt you to take a closer look at Preston St Mary.
The Church of St Peter and St Paul rises like a mighty cathedral above the half-timbered medieval masterpiece of Lavenham. Rest up and wonder a while here, or freewheel into ‘town’ to enjoy the company of an angel up on the Market Square, where you can feast your eyes on the half-timbered magnificence of the Guildhall of Corpus Christi.
The rolling country lanes lead on to another impressive church at Hitcham, formerly the centre of one of the county’s largest parishes. The White Horse here has to be the ideal spot to compare a saddle story or two, before stabling up your trusty two-wheeled steed for the night and enjoying some delicious local fare at Bildeston’s fine old coaching inn.
Mileage: Rec 23 Min 11 Max 29
Day 2 More medieval delights & an interesting menagerie before home time
Start the day with a stroll around Bildeston with its clock tower and mix of medieval or Georgian façades, or pedal up to the isolated church with its fine flintwork, stained glass and unusual wooden tower. Then it’s time to encounter the charming colours of Chelsworth famed for its Peacock and its garden festival. You’ll come across a Red Rose and tiny 13th century thatched chapel at Lindsey before whizzing down through the watersplash at Kersey.
Gently up and over the heath, there are fine family tombs with US connections to admire at Shelley’s sleepy little church and a fine red brick deanery just around the corner from the Ram in the wool town of Hadleigh. Look out for the beautifully painted pargetting on many of the historic buildings here; the surrounding villages and gentle Suffolk landscapes are just as much a picture, full of local colour with time-honoured tales to tell. The massive green at Barking Tye has been central to village life for centuries. A haven for community life and wildlife too, you’ll be sure to spot the Barking Fox, then perhaps a lion or two as you pedal on your homeward stretch back towards Needham Market.
Mileage: Rec 27 Min 15 Max 32
Gallery
Dates & Prices
Download PricesFor 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 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
A selected half-timbered 3 star hotel in Bildeston.
The restaurant is locally recommended.
Weekend supplements for Friday and Saturday stays.
We are pleased to discuss details on request.
Request Booking
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