EBike Tour 5
This 5 night circular E-bike holiday takes in many of the highlights of the National Forest. As you travel through the 4 counties, bordering the Forest you will experience many changing landscapes, from the ancient woodland and crags of Beacon Hill, through to the gentle canal heritage around the small town of Market Bosworth. Average daily distances are between 20 and 30 miles, allowing plenty of time to stop off and enjoy the sights on your holiday. Each day offers something different, from the serene National Memorial Arboretum, through to the site of the Battle of Bosworth. The tour also takes in 2 National Trust properties and even offers the chance to ride on a steam train. If you love football, or a good spa then take the opportunity to spend a night at the prestigious Hilton St George's Park, at the England Football training ground. Please ask for details.
This electric bike tour can be amended to suit all interests and requirements. Just ask for more information.
NIGHTS
5
AV. DAILY MILEAGE
20 - 30
AVAILABILITY
Start any day, all year
PRICE
From £709 per person
Price includes
Electric bike hire, accommodation on a b&b basis, luggage transfer each day, car parking, detailed self-guide route to follow at your own pace, helmets. We're on hand to offer local support when required
Price excludes
Travel to your holiday starting point. Entry to attractions. Single supplement. Dinners. Extra nights. Travel insurance
ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS
A full tour of the National Forest, with plenty of time to enjoy the many atractions on offer. Be inspired at the National Memorial Arboretum. Take a walk around the magnificent gardens at Calke Abbey. Look out for wildlife as you cycle through the heart of the Forest. Enjoy the bustling city of Lichfield, where you can find out more about the life of Charles Darwin. Take a ride on a heritage steam train. See the site of the famous Battle of Bosworth.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Your electric bike holiday starts in the lovely village of Ticknall, where you will stay in a pub that is renowned for good food and a warm welcome. Enjoy a walk around the village or through the grounds of the neighbouring National Trust property of Calke Abbey. Today we will meet you with your bikes and provide you with a briefing for your cycling route and answer any questions. We can also recommend suitable routes, should you fancy a practice ride this evening.
DAY 2: Start the day with a short cycle ride through the magnificent grounds of Calke Abbey, described by the National Trust as the un-stately home! This Grade 1 listed country house was the home to the Harpur family for nearly 300 years. During this time the family hoarded many of their possessions and the house slipped into decline. Today the National Trust displays the house in the state it was handed to them, meaning that every corner is packed with interesting things to see. Keen gardeners will love the gardens at Calke, which have been lovingly restored to their former glory. The courtyard cafe is a popular stop-off for cyclists and walkers and is a real sun-trap. From here you will cycle through the quiet Derbyshire and Staffordshire lanes to the village of Barton under Needwood. Enjoy a wander around bustling Barton Marina and a coffee sitting by the water's edge. Tonight you will stay in Barton under Needwood. Alternatively, treat yourself to a night at the beautiful Hilton St George's Park. Nestling in 330 acres of glorious parkland, the hotel sits amidst the training grounds for the England football team and offers a superb Health Club and Spa. We can also arrange for a tour behind the scenes of the National Football Centre. You may even find yourself sharing a lift with a star or two!
DAY 3: Today's cycle ride takes you through the attractive Staffordshire countryside. Lovers of sustainable living will enjoy a trip to Forest Harvest, a forest garden started in 1981 and dedicated to demonstrating ideas for sustainable living and ways to protect the environment. You can even coincide your tour with one of the many workshops offered by Forest Harvest. Stop off for a wander in the village of Abbotts Bromley. The village is best known for the Horn Dance, which takes place each year in September and dates back to the Middle Ages. The dancers collect the horns at 8 o'clock from the church and dance at various locations in the village and surrounding areas, covering around 10 miles. At the end of the day the horns are returned to the church. Skirting the edge of Cannock Chase and crisscrossing the Trent and Mersey Canal, your journey takes you to the pretty cathedral town of Lichfield, where you will overnight. Take a walk around the city and visit the stunning cathedral. The Samuel Johnson Museum highlights the life of the founder of the first English dictionary. Erasmus Darwin House was the home of Charles Darwin's grandfather and showcases his ideas and interests, which were passed on to his grandson, the great Charles Darwin. Enjoy the garden, full of medicinal plants or look through Erasmus' diary
DAY 4: First stop today is the striking National Memorial Arboretum. Built around a 150 acre arboretum, the site includes over 300 memorials to honour the fallen and recognise service to the country. You'll find it easy to spend a couple of hours wandering around the arboretum, discovering more about the stories behind each memorial and enjoying the tranquility of the site. Quiet lanes take you to the Forestry's main visitor centre, where you can learn about the history of the Forest and the cycling centre of Hicks Lodge. The Battlefield Steam Railway at Shackerstone is a lovely place to stop. Watch the action, whilst you enjoy a well-earned cup of tea in the station platform tea shop. You could even time your journey to coincide with a trip on a train to your overnight stop at Market Bosworth. Market Bosworth is a lovely unspoilt market town and very popular with cyclists. Here you will find a number of pubs and restaurants to choose from. There is a also an extremely good cycling clothing shop in the centre of Market Bosworth, which is well worth a visit.
DAY 5: A short cycle ride this morning will take you back in time at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. In August 1485 King Richard III was killed in the Battle of Bosworth and his body taken to Leicester, to be put on public display before being buried by the Grey Friars. The exact location of both the battlefield and King Richard's final resting place remained a mystery until the 21st century, when funding was raised to take advantage of modern technology and search for the King's remains. The Heritage Centre tells the story of how the battle unfolded and the 5 year survey to locate the actual battlefield. Your journey continues to the Charnwood area of the National Forest, where you will find beautiful sleepy villages and ancient woodland. This area is more rugged, as you climb towards Beacon Hill, one of the highest points in Leicestershire. End your day with a visit to the National Trust property of Stoneywell, an Arts and Crafts house, tucked into the landscape. Your overnight stop in Woodhouse Eaves is in the heart of the Charnwood area.
DAY 6: Your final day starts with an energetic climb to Beacon Hill, one of the highest points in Leicestershire. Don't worry though – your batteries will be fully charged and ready to lend a hand! It's then downhill towards an old railway line, which provides a long stretch of off road cycling and takes you into Derbyshire. Next stop is the small and unspoilt market town of Melbourne. Enjoy a wander around the lovely selection of independent shops in the town. In summer months we recommend a walk around Melbourne Hall Gardens. This was the seat of the Victorian Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, after whom the Australian city of Melbourne is named. When you are ready, it is a short and peaceful cycle ride back to your start point in Ticknall.
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11