Contact Us

Request a Brochure | Newsletter

Explore the British Isles by Bike

They say there's no place like home and our self-guided UK cycling tours are the perfect way to discover the allure of the beautiful landscapes, hidden villages, and wild corners of the British Isles.

Take on a wonderfully relaxed trip around the picture-perfect scenery of the Cotswolds, or discover the delights of Norfolk. Whichever trip you choose, all our trips follow a series of hand-picked routes that will guarantee that you see the best of what cycling trips in the UK have to offer.

All our UK cycling trips are made possible thanks to the best possible manual bikes and e-bikes which are thoroughly serviced prior to every trip. And while it's unlikely that you will, our team are always close by if you have any problems.

Look through our collection of leisure cycling holidays to discover the best-hidden gems and wild corners of the UK on two wheels from the mysterious, heather-clad moors in Scotland to the Cotswolds gentle rolling hills, or visit our blog for more inspiration.

Contact Us 

Types of UK cycling holidays 

Whichever way you'd like to cycle and explore the UK, we have options and itineraries to suit.

Self-guided UK cycling holidays

A self-guided cycling holiday lets you explore cycling routes without direction or guidance. That means that you can enjoy your UK cycling adventure at your own pace. Make as many stops as you like, for however long you like, and cycling at the speed you find most enjoyable, all without having to worry about catching up with the rest of the pack - or leaving them behind!

Our experts will provide you with a properly sized bike, puncture repair kit and full cycling briefing before you depart. From there, we provide full directions via our GPS navigation app, and transfers for yourself and your luggage if you choose a tour with multiple hotels.

VIEW OUR SELF-GUIDED UK CYCLING HOLIDAYS

Guided UK cycling holidays

Our guided cycling holidays in the UK, managed by our sister company, Exodus Travels, let you explore by bike alongside likeminded travellers. You'll be led by one of our experienced local guides who will not only take care of the all-important directions but provide plenty of insights and knowledge about the locales through which you pass.

Typically, a day on a guided cycling holiday will involve setting off from your hotel, travelling through beautiful countryside, stopping in villages for a dose of culture and spot of cuisine, then heading off again to your next hotel, where your luggage will be waiting for you. If that sounds like your sort of cycling tour, learn more below.

VIEW OUR GUIDED UK CYCLING HOLIDAYS

WHY BOOK WITH HEADWATER

Our cycling breaks in the UK are built with your comfort and convenience in mind. As well as providing a selection of your chosen tour area's most charming and desirable stayover spots, we'll also provide you with a high-quality bike for your tour, with upgrade options on rooms, extra nights and electric bikes all available to you.

  • We're award-winning - Alongside others, we've been awarded the Best Travel Company for Central & Western Europe, UK Short Breaks, and Culinary & Wine Holidays by the British Travel Awards.
  • We care about sustainability - Our People, Places and Planet Plan is just one of the many ways in which we are making our operations not just better for the environment but actively beneficial. We've committed to being Nature Net Positive by 2024 - doing real good for the locations in which we operate, not just offsetting our activities.
  • Flexible travel - Whether you want to travel by air or train, standard or first class, from your regional airport or local international hub, you can tailor your travel plans when cooking a UK cycling holiday with Headwater.
  • Great accommodation - All the hotels that feature in our UK cycling breaks are managed locally and checked for quality before we add them to our itineraries. We make sure that they are characterful, comfortable and always welcoming places to relax after a long day in the saddle.
  • Delicious food - Both our self-guided and guided cycling holidays in Britain take you through areas home to plenty of delicious cuisine, and our team have plenty of recommendations to provide. Whether you're having breakfast at the hotel or heading out for a well-deserved dinner, you're sure to dine well.

 

Read more▼


Cycling in Jersey, Guernsey and Sark
United Kingdom: The Channel Islands

Cycling in Jersey, Guernsey and Sark

Explore these unique islands In a large splash of green and blue and get ready to be amazed!

DEPARTURE MONTHS

JFMAMJJASOND

  • Holiday codeC06CI
  • Holiday typeSelf-guided cycling
  • Duration6 nights, twin centre
  • Activity level
  • Excellent for
  • From US$2150per person, tour only
  • NEW FOR 2024  
  • All accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Bike hire included
  • Headwater navigation provided
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
Contrasts of Norfolk Cycling
United Kingdom: Norfolk

Contrasts of Norfolk Cycling

This self-guided 7-night cycling tour takes in some of the best Norfolk has to offer, cycling on coastal routes and quiet country lanes between charming villages and to places of interest including Sandringham and Holkham Hall. Enjoy the natural surroundings with the possibility of bird spotting and seal spotting.

DEPARTURE MONTHS

JFMAMJJASOND

  • Holiday codeC07NO
  • Holiday typeSelf-guided cycling
  • Duration7 nights, hotel-to-hotel
  • Activity level
  • Excellent for
  • From US$2630per person, tour only
  • All accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Bike hire included
  • Headwater navigation provided
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
Highlights of Norfolk Cycling
United Kingdom: Norfolk

Highlights of Norfolk Cycling

Discover some of the highlights of North Norfolk. Cycle on quiet country lanes from village to village with many places of interest along the way - visit Sandringham and Houghton Hall. Go bird spotting at RSPB Snettisham and seal spotting at Blakeney.

DEPARTURE MONTHS

JFMAMJJASOND

  • Holiday codeC05NO
  • Holiday typeSelf-guided cycling
  • Duration5 nights, hotel-to-hotel
  • Activity level
  • Excellent for
  • From US$1935per person, tour only

  • 10 Reviews
  • All accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Bike hire included
  • Headwater navigation provided
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
Best of the Cotswolds Cycling
United Kingdom: The Cotswolds

Best of the Cotswolds Cycling

A 6-night self-guided cycling tour on some of the best off the beaten track routes in the Cotswolds, staying in the beautiful and historic villages of Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water.

DEPARTURE MONTHS

JFMAMJJASOND

  • Holiday codeC06CO
  • Holiday typeSelf-guided cycling
  • Duration6 nights, twin centre
  • Activity level
  • Excellent for
  • From US$2750per person, tour only
  • All accommodation
  • Breakfast daily
  • Bike hire included
  • Headwater navigation provided
  • Luggage transfers between hotels

    Cycling holidays in the UK

    Overall customer rating, based on 12 reviews

Frequently asked questions

Where should I go cycling in the UK?

Rich history, hearty food and outstanding scenery - just three reasons why the UK is one of the most interesting and engaging places to cycle in the world. With so much green open space on offer, the British landscape naturally lends itself to discovery on two wheels.

Take your pick from contrasting yet equally unique UK cycling tours, located across this historic country.

The Cotswolds, one of Britain's most popular cycling holiday locations and the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK, offers a variety of trip options including circular trips through some of the best-loved villages, and a linear trip from Oxford to Bath

This area is renowned for both its natural and architectural allure - so much so that the Cotswolds' rolling countryside and picturesque villages are equally revered as some of the best that Britain has to offer.

Norfolk, over in the East of England, provides laid-back cycling through beautiful coastal and countryside scenery. You get to cycle along tree-lined avenues in the royal-owned Sandringham Estate, visit the colony of seals in Blakeney, and go bird-spotting at RSPB Titchwell. The Norfolk coast has fabulously wide beaches and, with options like taking a steam train to the Norfolk Broads, this region just keeps on giving. Both five- and seven-night trips are available.

What should I pack on a cycling holiday?

To make sure that you're properly prepared, it's important to bring along the essentials:

  • Cycling clothing - Your choice of cycling clothing is decided by the time of the year at which you're travelling (thin fabrics like lycra versus tougher windproof clothing and arm and leg warmers), and the intensity of the route. The more intense, the more likely that you'll want to pack padded shorts, cycling shoes and bib shorts.
  • Waterproof jacket - A lightweight waterproof is good to bring, wherever you are exploring.
  • A helmet
  • Cycling gloves - Having a pair of cycling gloves will protect your hands on long rides.
  • A backpack - If you don't want to use the pannier bags supplied with your bike, consider bringing a lightweight backpack.
  • Water bottle - A large water bottle is a great addition on longer rides, helping you to stay hydrated.
  • Neck tubular - Perfect for keeping warm on chillier mornings and evenings.
  • Sunblock - A must-have for cycling during unpredictable British summer weather.
  • Sunglasses - Lightweight, head-hugging cycling sunglasses will keep you safe and in control on sunny days, or if the road is lit up with glare after rain.
  • A smartphone - Our guided and self-guided tours feature the use of a GPS navigation app accessed via your smartphone.
  • See what's included in your trip.

How to plan a cycling holiday

Thankfully, planning a cycling holiday in the UK with Headwater is simple. Just browse the range of tours on this page, checking out the itineraries and destinations and finding the right adventure for you.

Once you've found one that you like, head to the Dates & Prices tab at the top of the page and check the availability for your chosen dates, inputting your contact details and travel requirements on the next screen. Our experts will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your trip, answer any questions you might have, and arrange your travel.

From there, all you need to do is head on holiday. Whether you're on a guided cycling holiday in Britain or a self-guided trip, we provide all the plans for you. The difference is, with an unguided trip, you'll be following a GPS map, not a Headwater expert.