End to end is Britain's epic cycling tour, starting from Land's End in Cornwall and finishing at John O' Groats in Scotland, covering the 3 countries of England, Wales and Scotland. The journey - between the furthermost points of the UK shows you the astounding variety of landscapes within our small island and the characterful differences in architecture, land use and dialect.

The Carter Company version of this tour is unique. We recognise it is epic in terms of physical effort - 54,000 ft of ascent - and so a little more in line with our ethos of 'gentle' cycling, we include E bikes for this trip so you can fully appreciate the gems along the way and have time to stop and stare. Our route is also unusual as it strives to give you as much traffic free cycling as possible and takes you on very few main roads whilst aiming to include local features such as moors in Devon, canals in Somerset, lakes in the Lake District and passes and lochs in Scotland. We also largely avoid big conurbations and so total distance is 1,134 miles of astonishing adventure.



Holiday details

Price

Classic

from £4,790 per person

Based on two people sharing a room

What’s included?

There are no extras, however you’ll love what’s included as standard

Duration

15 nights

Start & Finish

Starts daily from Land's End

Hotels

Classic

A mix of small hotels, inns and a few B&Bs

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

Not so gentle cycling. More info...

Electric bikes

Included

Mileage

14 days of cycling 70 - 95 miles (112 - 152 km) per day

Terrain

Everything from flat to steep hills

Traffic-free

Much of it; very few main roads and the rest low traffic

Options

  • Also available as a longer tour over 22 nights with 21 days of cycling £5,590 pp
  • Optional days off anywhere along the route
  • Upgraded accommodation available


Itinerary day-by-day


Classic

  1. 1. Day one

    Arrival at Land's End

    Make your way to Britain's most south westerly point - Land's End in Cornwall, served by Penzance station or Newquay airport. Smell the Atlantic waves as they crash against the rocks there or relax in a nearby cove. We will meet you today with your E bikes and brief you on your exciting epic journey ahead.

  2. 2. Day two

    Land's End to Bodmin

    Your adventure begins at the famous signpost at Lands End and with its dramatic coastline as a backdrop you take the obligatory photos. Then follow winding Cornish roads heading north past historic tin mines towards St Ives and along the north coast. The first day is one of the toughest - Cornish hills are numerous and steep although not particularly high. Your cycling ends in the Cornish town of Bodmin, sheltered at the foot of Bodmin moor.

    70 miles (112 km)

  3. 3. Day three

    Bodmin to Exeter

    Heading into Devon, today is all about moors as you pedal up onto Bodmin moor and skirt the fringes of Dartmoor with fabulous views on a clear day. It's still hilly riding before descending along back lanes into the university town of Exeter for the night.

    75 miles (120km)

  4. 4. Day four

    Exeter to Wells

    There are fewer gruelling hills as you ride through rolling, leafy Devon and then onto the flat Somerset levels, tracking the odd canal as you go. Here is a gentle county with a handful of small towns - Glastonbury and Wells, one of our favourites. Enjoy a night here, step back in time at the Vicar's Close and oggle at the cathedral.

    75 miles (120km)

  5. 5. Day five

    Wells to Hereford

    This is quite a day! Leave Wells with a steep climb and a fun pedal across the Mendip Hills plateau before crossing the iconic Clifton suspension bridge to head through Bristol. The Severn Bridge leads you into Wales with the odd steep ascent along the gorgeous Wye Valley. Take in small towns and the area's traditional black and white buildings before stopping in Hereford.

    90 miles (144 km)

  6. 6. Day six

    Hereford to Shrewsbury

    England's green and pleasant land is yours to enjoy today as you pedal through a rural patchwork of pretty villages with a backdrop of the Black mountains and Wales always on the signposts. There are a few steep hills and attractive towns such as Ludlow before you arrive in medieval Shrewsbury

    80 miles (128 km)

  7. 7. Day seven

    Shrewsbury to Hindley Green

    Distance wise this is your longest day but you are cycling through the rural Cheshire Plain with few hills. The route neatly skirts most of the big conurbations and as ever, largely avoids main roads as it weaves its way north to Hindley Green.

    95 miles (152 km)

  8. 8. Day eight

    Hindley Green to Grange over Sands

    The day begins in similar fashion as your route neatly picks its way between the conurbations of Manchester and Liverpool. North of here you breathe the sea air again as you clip Lancaster and circle around Morecambe Bay to reach the southern tip of the Lake District where your overnight stay is in Grange over Sands.

    93 miles (149 km)

  9. 9. Day nine

    Grange over Sands to Gretna Green

    The scene shifts today as you enjoy the full length of the Lake District and its unique landscape. Pedal along popular Windermere and skirt Skiddaw, one of the largest fells as you ride on through the sparsely populated northern lakes area before reaching Carlisle. It's a short hop from here over the border into Scotland for your overnight stay - another milestone of the trip as you reach the third country within End to End.

    82 miles (131 km)

  10. 10. Day ten

    Gretna Green to Larkhall

    The Scottish Lowlands are relatively flat for the start of the day as backroads take you through river valleys. The terrain then rises giving you a more energetic journey through a sparsely populated area. Roads are restricted by the landscape and you follow an old coaching road, often close to the main road to pass Moffat on your way towards the Glasgow conurbation.

    76 miles (121 km)

  11. 11. Day eleven

    Larkhall to Killin

    Largely dodging main roads, you pedal through the outskirts of Glasgow and ride traffic free beside the River Clyde to enjoy the city centre highlights of Glasgow. Following rivers and canals you touch the tip of Loch Lomond and head into the delightful Trossachs where lochs and glens inspire. There are a couple of passes to climb before ending the day in Killin on the banks of Loch Tay. This is an awesome but demanding day!

    94 miles (150 km)

  12. 12. Day twelve

    Killin to Newtonmore

    With the Trossachs behind you and the Cairngorms ahead, the ride from Killin tracks gentle country to start, with some ups and downs approaching Pitlochry. Onwards you are in real highland country as you skirt the Cairngorm mountains. This is an uphill ride through wilderness, with limited refreshment stops but miles of traffic free riding to reach Newtonmore.

    81 miles (129 km)

  13. 13. Day thirteen

    Newtownmore to Alness

    After the Cairngorm centre of Aviemore, you reach Slochd and from there the day is a freewheel downhill to Inverness. You could detour briefly to see Loch Ness or to a distillery as you pedal north of the Cromarty Firth on flattish roads to Alness

    83 miles (132 km)

  14. 14. Day fourteen

    Alness to Bettyhill

    Here's a wonderful day with incredible scenery. You start by riding along Dornoch Firth with a steady climb beyond from Bonar Bridge to Lairg. Views are magical and the cycling is stunning as you freewheel downhill to the dramatic backdrop of lochs and Ben Klibreck. As you approach Bettyhill you reach the north coast of Scotland and the Atlantic Ocean again. Wow!

    89 miles (133 km)

  15. 15. Day fifteen

    Bettyhill to John O'Groats

    Your final morning's ride takes you along the north coast of Scotland on flattish terrain to the far north western point of Britain at John O'Groats. You should arrive at your journey's end by lunch time. Pat yourself on the back - you have done it! End to End. Congratulations!

    51 miles (81 km)

  16. 16. Day sixteen

    Depart John O'Groats

    Leaving your trusty E bike steed for us to collect, you depart at your leisure with Thurso or Wick the nearest train stations.