Contrasts of Norfolk Cycling

Land Only

Day 1 Arrive in Kings Lynn

Arrive at your hotel, just outside of Kings Lynn.

Day 2 Kings Lynn to Old Hunstanton

After your briefing you'll set out on the quiet country lanes of Norfolk. Just before arriving in the first village of the day, Castle Rising, you'll pass the fortifications the village is named for. Continue on, along tree-lined avenues, through the Sandringham Estate, before cycling on country lanes through farmland and the villages of Sherborne and Fring on your way to the coast. Discover the lavendar fields at Heacham and then cycle along the promenade with the wide sandy beaches of the Wash beside you to your overnight stop at Old Hunstanton.

Day 3 Old Hunstanton to East Rudham

Today your route follows gently undulating country lanes towards Burnham Market, a traditional North Norfolk village,with a detour on route to Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve where you can spot bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers in the reedbeds. Pass Bircham windmill which looks much as it did 100 years ago and is one of the best remaining before continuing to your overnight stop in East Rudham.

Day 4 East Rudham to Holt

Heading back towards the Norfolk Coast AONB stop at Holkham Hall, an 18th Century Country House where you can visit the Hall before continuing through Holkham National Nature Reserve to the sea where you can enjoy a picnic on the beach at Wells. Follow the estuary along to Wells-next-the-Sea, a pretty harbour town. Cycling along gravel tracks and lanes reach the monastic ruins of Binham Priory. The Benedictine priory was founded in 1091, the nave of which, with its 13th century west front and Norman arches, is now the parish church. Continue to Holt, an historic Georgian market town where you will spend the next 3 nights.

Day 5 At Holt

You have a choice of routes today, both of which will take you to the coast. Ride to the villages of Morston and Blakeney from where you can take boat trips to see the seals. Cycle on to Cley and Cley Marshes Visitor Centre. Alternatively take the North Norfolk Railway steam train (payable locally) to Sheringham, from where you'll cycle on to Cromer, known as 'The Gem of the Norfolk Coast' which found fame as a traditional seaside resort in Victorian times. Follow in part the Weavers' Way and skirt the Felbrigg Estate and ride through the village of Gresham back to Holt.

Day 6 At Holt

A choice of routes again today, both routes take you to Aylsham from where you have the option of going on the Bure Valley steam railway to Wroxham where you can go on a boat trip of the Norfolk Broads.Option 1 takes you via Mannington Hall, a moated medieval country house and the Blickling Estate, a National Trust property before returning from Aylsham along the Marriott's Way, which follows a disused railway line. Continuing back towards Holt visit the village of Heydon, a charming cul-de-sac village in a Conservation Area.The second option takes you on the North Norfolk Railway steam train (payable locally) to Sheringham and over the 'Norfolk Alps' to the Blickling Estate and then follows the same route.

Day 7 Holt to Kings Lynn

Today you will cycle mainly on quiet country lanes, through a series of villages. Of note is Little Walsingham, which has a long history of religious pilgrimage. Visit Houghton Hall and Gardens, built in the 1720s for Great Britain's first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole it is one of England's finest Palladian houses. Cycle back through the Sandringham Estate to the hotel.

Day 8 Leave Kings Lynn

Depart Kings Lynn after breakfast.