Best weekend breaks for cyclists

15 destinations picked for this guide.

Cycling is a great way to see the countryside, and the UK has many traffic-free trails, quiet lanes and mountain bike centres. These are the best places for a cycling weekend, with bike hire, good routes and places to eat and sleep.

DolgellauGwynedd · Budget-friendly

A dark stone market town beneath Cadair Idris, with the Mawddach estuary

 BakewellDerbyshire · Mid-range

The home of the Bakewell pudding, beside Chatsworth and the White Peak

 NorthumberlandNorthumberland · Mid-range

Castles, empty beaches, dark skies and Hadrian's Wall

 PeeblesScottish Borders · Mid-range

A Tweed Valley market town with mountain biking and a castle

 Rutland WaterRutland · Mid-range

England's largest reservoir by area, with ospreys and a famous cycle route

 Snowdonia (Eryri)Gwynedd · Mid-range

Wales's mountain heartland, with Snowdon at its centre

 BrockenhurstHampshire · Higher-priced

A New Forest village with its own railway station and ponies on the green

 DartmoorDevon · Higher-priced

Granite tors, wild ponies and ancient woodland

 Isle of WightHampshire · Higher-priced

A compact island with chalk cliffs, castles and sandy beaches

 New ForestHampshire · Higher-priced

Ancient woodland and heath with free-roaming ponies

 Norfolk coastNorfolk · Higher-priced

Wide sandy beaches, salt marshes and seal trips

 Peak DistrictDerbyshire · Higher-priced

England's first national park, with moors, dales and stately homes

 South DownsSussex and Hampshire · Higher-priced

Rolling chalk hills, white cliffs and country pubs

 CotswoldsGloucestershire · Premium

Honey-coloured villages, rolling hills and country pubs

 PadstowCornwall · Premium

A Cornish fishing harbour famous for seafood and the Camel Trail

Frequently asked questions

Where can I hire bikes?

Most of these places have hire shops, but book ahead at weekends and in summer.

Are there traffic-free cycle routes?

Yes. The Monsal Trail, the Camel Trail and the Rutland Water loop are all popular examples.

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More guides

Best weekend breaks from Manchester and the North WestBest weekend breaks from LondonBest weekend breaks from Birmingham and the MidlandsBest weekend breaks in Yorkshire and the North EastBest weekend breaks in ScotlandBest weekend breaks in Wales

Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and journey times are estimates, so check before you book. Report an error or share a tip.