This is unspoilt Dorset at its most delightful: if you're looking for a tranquil trip, look no further.

Discover expansive sandy beaches at Studland, tiny country lanes, quaint hamlets, bridleways crossing fords and woodlands, pretty towns full of history at Wareham and Dorchester, and a landscape so evocative that great men from Hardy to Lawrence of Arabia were inspired here. With plenty of opportunities for other activities such as boating, walking, fishing and horse riding this is a terrific get-away in one of our favourite holiday spots.



Holiday details

Price

Classic

from £995 per person

Based on two people sharing a room

What’s included?

Mountain bikes only.  See what’s included as standard

Duration

4 nights

Start & Finish

Starts Sundays and Mondays and is circular from Wareham. Wareham is 2.5 hours from London Waterloo by train

Hotels

Classic

Hand picked small inn and a b&b

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 (1) More info...

Electric bikes

Mountain E bikes available

Mileage

2 days of cycling 18 to 21 miles (29 - 34 km) per day and one day of optional cycling

Terrain

Flattish

Traffic-free

40% very low traffic on the rest

Options

  • Stay an extra night in Dorchester for a saddle free day and to fully explore the historic town (Sunday start only)
  • Enjoy our local guide cycling with you and sharing their knowledge on your first day
  • Let us book you a boating, fishing or horse riding experience
  • Take an extra day for our walk along the stunning Jurassic coast


Itinerary day-by-day


Classic

  1. 1. Day one

    Wareham

    Arrive in Wareham and check into your overnight stay in this small and charming market town. With over 200 listed buildings and the River Frome providing the centre piece of the town with a pretty quay and boats to hire if you wish, there is plenty to explore here.

  2. 2. Day two

    Wareham to Studland circular ride

    Your cycling equipment will be delivered to you this morning ready for you to explore the Isle of Purbeck which lies to the south of Wareham. Blessed with glorious unspoilt beaches, this tucked away corner of Dorset – not an island proper, is famous for its stunning coastline and steep ridge of hills. Your ride wonderfully skirts the hills on an off road route through pretty woodland and leads to the village of Studland and its expansive beaches. Return to Wareham following further off-road tracks for a second night here.

    Optional 21 miles (34 km)

  3. 3. Day three

    Wareham to Dorchester

    Pedalling along the Frome valley on quiet backroads, this charming route leads through a medley of typical Dorset villages set in a very rural scene with an award winning refreshment house a must for a stop. Pause at the Tank Museum if that's your thing and head on to Dorchester through the landscape that inspired so many of Hardy's writings. Take in the cob and thatch cottage where the author wrote his early novels and the house he later designed and lived in. A warm welcome awaits at your overnight stay.

    19 miles (30 km)

  4. 4. Day four

    Dorchester to Wareham

    Discover the delights of Dorchester before pedalling off. Explore the many Roman features remaining, the recent village of Poundbury designed by Prince Charles and the varied museums of this historic town. Then head on to Wareham riding along two river valleys. Weave along bridleways and across fords and forests to find hamlets and churches far from the madding crowd. Drop into Lawrence of Arabia's country retreat and return to Wareham refreshed by the delights of Dorset.

    21 miles (33 km)

  5. 5. Day five

    Depart Wareham

    Your cycling equipment will be collected after breakfast today and you can depart at your leisure but maybe you will enjoy a steam train ride to Swanage first and a saunter along the beach.