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• Self Catering Cycling Holidays
• Traffic-Free Cycling Holidays

Traffic Free Cycling Holidays in England

Unlike some European countries, opportunities for traffic-free cycling in England can be hard to find.  We've done the research for you though and listed some places where you can find good traffic-free cycles routes, essential for those who want to bike off-road on holiday.

• The New Forest National Park

• Coastal Kent

• The Lune Valley

• The Cotswolds

On Your Bike in the New Forest National Park

There are a number of fantastic routes where you can cycle off road in the New Forest including:

• A 10.5 mile stretch of cycle trails near Brockenhurst.
• 17 miles stretch of mostly off-road bike trails through the New Forest National Park, which starts at Fritham.
• 10 miles of cycle tracks within the New Forest along the Hawkhill Inclosure.
• 14 miles of cycle trails from Lymington station to the New Forest.
   

• Find a holiday cottage in the New Forest and plan your cycling holiday.

Take to Two Wheels in Coastal Kent

Coastal Kent is a great place to explore on two wheels with a mostly traffic-free route running from Deal to St Margaret's, along from Deal railway station, past the seafront , past Deal Castle and on along the coast.

You can also cycle off road near Whitstable at Clowes Wood, where there is a traffic free path called Crab and Winkle Way from Whitstable which leads to the woods.

For traffic-free cycling near Dover, head to the Samphire Hoe Country Park close to Dover.

• Rent a holiday cottage in coastal Kent and enjoy cycling along one of the traffic-free coastal routes.

Explore the Lune Valley Trail on your Bike

Lancashire's Lune Valley trail covers some 12.5 miles of traffic-free routes, including mountain-biking style track.  Start at the Lune Aqueduct and follow the route along the disused railway track, past rivers and on to Caton village.  For those who want to soak up some stunning scenery en route and don't mind a bit of a bumpy ride, a cycling holiday near the Lune Valley could be for you!

• Find a holiday cottage in Lancashire and choose somewhere not too far from Lancaster or Caton for easy access to the Lune Valley Trail not too far away.

Cycle in the Cotswolds

Why not explore the Cotswolds on a biking holiday?  Home to some of England's finest scenery and some excellent walks, there are some good traffic-free bike rides on offer in the Cotswolds too!

• The Stroud Valley Trail, starts at Stonehouse near Stroud and follows along the old Midland railway line and covers almost 7 miles of cycle routes where there are no cars, enjoy taking in beautiful Cotswold views en route.

You can also enjoy cycling in the

Cotswold Water Park

where there are fantastic off-road flat cycle routes and bridlepaths. If you don't want to bring your bike you can even hire a bike at the park.  Part of the National Cycle Route 45 runs through Cotswold Water Park.

Wheel Around along the Tissington Trail Railway Cycling Route, Peak District

Located in the Peak District, this cycling trail was opened back in 1971 and was one of the very first rail trails in the country. It covers roughly 13.5 miles of distance, with its first half taking you through unspoiled woodland, and the second taking you through open fields. Some of the trail does involve a fairly steep incline of 10%, though it’s not as strenuous as it seems and is over before it’s begun. You start off in Ashbourne and end up in Parsley Hay; from there you can cycle back to Ashbourne (it’s a more relaxed going back, as it involves descents, not ascents), or you can take on another cycling trail, the High Peak Trail, which takes you up to Buxton.
 

Find holiday rentals in Buxton for accommodation close to the Tissington Trail.

Bike the Camel Trail in Cornwall

This cycling trail in Cornwall is actually a multi-use trail and is popular not only with cyclists, but also horse riders and walkers. It’s mostly traffic-free - only a very short section of it is shared with a road - and takes you from the coastal town of Padstow to Wenford Bridge near Bodmin Moor. Along the way, you’ll get to enjoy views of the wooded Cornish countryside, as well as the Camel Estuary. The trail covers a distance of just over 17 miles; while it can be easily completed in a few hours, there are three different shorter sections to it, for those who prefer to tackle it at a slower pace.
 

Cycle the Cuckoo Trail in East Sussex

If you’re down in East Sussex and have a hankering for a cycling trip worth remembering, this cycling trail is well worth your time. It’s 14 miles of surfaced path and takes you from Heathfield to Eastbourne Park, following a former railway line along the way. While the railway line used to be known as the ‘Cuckoo Line’, the trail actually got its name from a local tradition, whereby people would release a cuckoo into the wild at the Heathfield Fair. This trail is popular with cyclists, walkers and horse riders, and is pleasantly peaceful and tranquil.
 

Bike the Bristol and Bath Railway Path

As the name of this route suggests, it follows a former railway line linking the cities of Bristol and Bath. Starting off in Bristol, it features a rather gentle incline that shouldn’t prove too taxing and takes you past a number of sights worth pausing to appreciate. These include working steam trains and even a large sculpture of a drinking giant! In total, the trail stretches for some 13 miles, offering a relaxed and peaceful way to travel from one city to the other. The widely known cycling charity Sustains constructed the trail in stages from 1979 to 1986; it was the charity’s first completed cycleway.
 

Cycle the Two Tunnels in Devon

Once in Bath, be sure to try out the Cycle the Two Tunnels trails. Follow the trail through the Devonshire Tunnel and the Combe Down Tunnel (which is over a mile in length and is the country’s longest cycling tunnel). Once you emerge from the second of the two tunnels, you’ll find yourself out in the open countryside, having left the city of Bath far behind. This cycling trail is entirely traffic-free, though it is mixed-use and is shared with walkers. It’s only around five years old, having just opened in 2013, and has already proven popular with both locals and visitors, thanks to the opportunity it offers to cycle through two lengthy tunnels.
 

Spin those wheels on the Spen Valley's Greenway

Another cycling trail that follows a disused railway line, the Spen Valley Greenway takes you from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire to Oakenshaw near Bradford. What makes it unique is the fact that it’s an art trail. Along its length you can spot a number of works of art, ranging from a circular path set within a several dozen large metal hoops, to a number of cast-iron sheep fashioned from recycled materials. As well as these remarkable works of art, along the trail you can take in the sights of the area’s lush, green areas; you’ll pass by a particularly verdant golf course and a wildlife reserve, both of which are good points along the route to pause and enjoy a scenic break.
 

Cycle in the Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is a haven for cyclists and mountain bikers alike. There’s an abundance of trails here catering for people of all tastes and experience levels. Some, for example, are designated as family trails and are more tranquil and less physically challenging. For the more adventurous, there are downhill mountain biking trails that really get the adrenaline pumping. The forest covers a vast area of 110 square miles and offers plenty of peace and quiet, not to mention plenty of opportunities for traffic-free cycling and mountain biking. Whatever trail you end up choosing, you’ll surely enjoy taking in the views of the ancient forest as you ride along.
 

Find holiday rentals in the Forest of Dean

Explore Devon Coast to Coast

As the name of this trail suggests, it takes you from one coast of Devon down to the other. It links the cities of Ilfracombe (in the north of the county) and the city of Plymouth (in the south of the county). Roughly three-quarters of the trail are off-road and free from traffic. It’s broken up into several shorter trails, though if you want to take the entire route on, it will probably take two or three days in total. It isn’t the easiest of cycling trails to complete, though it’s very enjoyable and rewarding, thanks to the many sights afforded by the two major cities on the trail, not to mention the lush, unspoiled Devon countryside.
 

Bike Along Devon's Tarka Trail

This is among the longest traffic-free trails in the country and is popular with cyclists and hikers alike. Located in north Devon, it encompasses both the coast and the hinterlands, with the relaxed and unassuming town of Barnstaple the centre of the route’s figure-of-eight layout. Whether you opt for the north loop, the south loop or both, you’ll traverse a wide range of ecosystems and will hopefully get to see a variety of local wildlife along the way. The entire trail is approximately 163 miles in length and takes in spectacular coastal scenery, untamed moorland, verdant river valleys and gentle countryside hills.
 

The Isle of Wight's Red Squirrel Trail

If you happen to be visiting the Isle of Wight, you’ll definitely want to check out the Red Squirrel Trail. As you may have guessed, it’s so-called because red squirrels are frequently spotted along its length. This trail is mostly free from traffic and is mostly flat, so it’s ideal for beginners and families. It spans a total of 23 miles and should you choose to cycle it, you’ll find yourself immersed in the beautiful Isle of Wight countryside. Some take on the challenge of cycling the whole length of the route in a single day, whilst others take on shorter sections of it, or take on the entire route across several days. This cycling trail links Cowes in the north of the island, with Sandown in the southeast.
 

Find holiday rentals on the Isle of Wight

When it comes to off-road cycling in England, away from cars and traffic, we hope you've found the hints and tips on CountryCottagesOnline.Net helpful.  We hope you find the perfect place in England for your off-road cycling holiday.