This gentle cycling tour with walking options too, is a wonderful way to discover the beauty and uniqueness of the Suffolk coast and sandy heaths that lie between Woodbridge and Southwold. Awash with boats and beaches, forest tracks and sinuous estuaries, quirky pubs, wildlife and seafood galore, this is a tranquil sometimes remote area perfect for flat leisurely cycling, much of it traffic free.
With a characterful collection of hotels and 2 nights at each stop, you have the choice of relaxing on alternate days with a variety of boat rides on offer or exploring on foot or by bike with the routes we include. Each overnight location offers you something different - the Deben estuary at Woodbridge, the spit at Orford, the town at Aldeburgh and the pier and sandy beach at Southwold - with a great deal more in between!
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £1,670 per person
- Luxury
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from £2,490 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Transfer to Halesworth station at the end of the tour. See what’s included as standard
Duration
8 nights
Start & Finish
Starts mondays in Woodbridge finishes Southwold. Woodbridge is on the main line railway and we transfer you from Southwold to the nearest mainline station at Halesworth
Hotels
- Classic
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4 highly characterful inns or small hotels
- Luxury
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Three unique 4 star hotels and one 3 star restaurant with rooms
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle cycling (2) More info...
Electric bikes
Currently not available
Mileage
3 days of cycling 18 - 22 miles (29 -35km) with 3 days of optional cycling or 4 days of optional walking
Terrain
Almost no hills.
Traffic-free
30% of cycling is traffic free. Otherwise quiet back lanes and 0.2 mile on a main road
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic & Luxury
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1. Day one
Arrive Woodbridge
Check into your hotel on Monday where you stay for 2 nights and relax. Explore the charming town of Woodbridge set on the Deben estuary. Its tidemill is worth a visit and takes you to the river front buzzing with boats. Enjoy a wander along the river path, this estuary is a peaceful haven and typical of Suffolk in atmosphere. Your host will meet you tonight or tomorrow with your bikes and brief you on the trip.
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2. Day two
Explore the Woodbridge area
The marvellous choice today is you can opt to cycle or walk or simply relax and do neither. The circular routes we have created are gentle and include some of the lovely features we like about the fascinating area surrounding Woodbridge and the estuary. Walkers can enjoy a scenic riverside walk and stroll through the town whilst cyclists discover pretty villages and a riverside pub for lunch too. Both take in glorious views of the best of Suffolk. Return to your hotel for a second night after a fabulous day.
Optional 22 miles (35 km) cycling or 7 miles walking
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3. Day three
Woodbridge to Orford
You head to the coast today through characterful villages on back lanes, along rivers and on traffic free tracks through forest and sandy heaths. This is a distinctly rural scene with just enough watering holes and village pubs to satisfy you. Nothing can quite prepare you for Orford with its charming square, elegant castle and seaside vibe down at the quay. Your stay in the village for 2 nights gives plenty of time to explore .
21 miles (34 km)
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4. Day four
Explore the Orford area
Relax in this special little coastal haven and pootle down to the quay for a choice of boat rides exploring the unspoilt river for birds, fish and the views. For something a little more energetic hop over to Orford Ness and enjoy our circular walk in this unique place. Or if you feel like exploring further afield, pedal to the remote ferry across the Butley river (summer weekends only) to find heathlands, marshes and beaches on a special circular ride.
Optional 23 miles (37 km) or 6 miles (10 km) walking
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5. Day five
Orford to Aldeburgh
This truly is low country riding as you pedal around the extraordinary Alde estuary with its marshes and rushes and dotted hamlets. Take in the converted Maltings at Snape, forever a musical monument to Benjamin Britten and wander through remote heaths to freewheel along the coast into Aldeburgh. You have two nights here to discover this marvellous place and its maritime history.
18 miles (29 km)
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6. Day six
Explore the Aldeburgh area
You are free to choose what tickles your fancy! Discover Aldeburgh's enticing mix of High street shops, cafes and galleries, sit on the beach and ogle the artwork and Martello Tower. Or you could take a 2 mile bike ride to Thorpeness for boat hire on the mere, golf and tennis. We provide you with an atmospheric walk to Snape which takes in Britten's Red House, woodland, board walking and gives you the chance of a boat trip once at your destination.
Optional 7 miles (11 km)
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7. Day seven
Aldeburgh to Southwold
Your terrific cycling route is plump with interest starting with the model holiday village at Thorpeness and leading on to tiny Dunwich with its sand dunes. There's plenty of traffic free cycling through heaths, forgotten lanes, forests and a renowned nature reserve. Old world charm oozes at Walberswick where the little ferry or old railway bridge lead you past a bustling boaty scene into Southwold's fun of beach huts and pier. Stay for 2 nights to take it all in!
22 miles (35 km)
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8. Day eight
Explore the Southwold area
What a treat of a day! Relax on the sandy beach, laugh on the pier and take a boat trip out to sea to spot the wildlife. If you want a walk, we take you to Walberswick and along the beach - as far as Dunwich if you want a good blow and back inland through rivers, heaths and fields. Or perhaps pedalling appeals and we have a wonderful pootle north along winding back lanes with pretty village pubs to an unspoilt coastal haven. Whatever you decide to do, the day is a fitting finale to your trip.
Optional 20 miles (32 km) or 4.5, 6 or 10 miles (16 km) walking
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9. Day nine
Depart Southwold
After breakfast we transfer you to Halesworth station or back to your car.