With summer just beginning to wrap itself around the globe, the UK is the perfect location to organize a two-wheeled escape—and then stop looking. With seafront roads and mountain trails to silent countryside roads, Britain has some of Europe’s finest cycling holidays right on your doorstep.
Whether it’s a weekend challenge, a scenic family ride, or an out-and-out cycling holiday, these top UK cycling resorts offer something for every kind of rider. Below, we have listed the seven top UK cycling holidays, including highlights and must-ride routes for each resort.
1. The Lake District – Rugged Beauty on Two Wheels
In northwest England, the Lake District is a cyclist’s dream destination. With 16 beautiful lakes—each surrounded by fells, woods, and charming towns—this UNESCO World Heritage Site has an unbeatable range of landscapes.
With more than 2,000 square kilometres of countryside, there are gentle lake loops for novices and demanding mountain bike trails for experienced riders.
Top Routes:- Windermere Loop – great for leisurely riders
- Grizedale Forest MTB Trails – adrenaline-fueled forest trails
- Kirkstone Pass – a mythical climb with breathtaking summit vistas
2. The Peak District – Traditional Rides with Historic Appeal
Spanning Derbyshire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire, the Peak District is England’s first national park—and a UK cyclist’s best friend. Look forward to rolling hills, limestone valleys, and quaint market towns such as Castleton and Bakewell (birthplace of the celebrated pudding).
Hire centres for bikes are easily accessible, so you can try it out whether you’re taking your own equipment or not.
Best Routes:- Monsal Trail – traffic-free and scenic
- Mam Tor Loop – scenery and hills
- Tissington Trail – family and leisure rides
3. Wales – Wild Rides and Sea Views
It’s a cyclists’ utopia of variety: mountains, beaches, valleys, and sea-breeze-filled coastlines. From a peaceful road ride to a heart-in-the-mouth downhill trail, Wales offers everything.
The flat sections of the Wales Coast Path are perfect for family groups, but serious adventure-seekers can make for the notorious Antur Stiniog trails or the forest singletracks of Penmachno.
Best Routes:- Wales Coast Path (many sections)
- Bwlch y Groes – one of the UK’s longest road climbs
- Coed y Brenin Forest Park – home to world-class mountain biking trails
4. Isle of Wight – Family Island Breaks
Reaching the Isle of Wight is as easy as a short ferry trip from Portsmouth, Southampton, or Lymington. The island boasts more than 200 miles of stunning cycling routes to explore. It’s a perfect location for a family cycling trip, with cliff-top shores, country lanes, and the excitement of island-hopping.
At Cheverton Farm, there is the Isle of Wight Mountain Bike Centre with specially designed trails for everyone in a stunning countryside location.
Top Routes:- Red Squirrel Trail – a scenic, safe route across nature reserves
- Round the Island Route – a 65-mile circuit for experts
- Shanklin to Ventnor – dramatic seafront cycling at its finest
5. Yorkshire Dales – A Ride Through Cycling History
Yorkshire Dales, which also hosted a leg of the 2014 Tour de France, is a cycling hotspot. That is, a combination of challenging climbs, isolated moorlands, and historic villages, surrounded by atmospheric charm that shifts with each season.
With over 900km of mapped routes, it’s a premier destination for road biking as well as mountain biking.
Top Routes:- Settle Loop – an ideal starting point for off-road cycling adventures
- Buttertubs Pass – a Tour de France classic
- Malham Cove Circular – scenic and serene
Check out cyclethedales.org.uk for route planning and tips.
6. Cornwall – Coast, Climbs, and Cream Teas
For a cycling holiday that feels like a true getaway, head to Cornwall. Known for its golden beaches and balmy climate, it’s the closest thing to a Mediterranean break without leaving the UK.
Coastal trails offer breathtaking scenery and invigorating sea air, while the road routes offer undulating hills for mountain bikers, not to mention more than 240 listed on Trailforks in Cornwall alone.
Top Routes:- Camel Trail – flat family route with scenery
- Coast-to-Coast Trail – 11 miles of rural and mining history
- Cardinham Woods – forest trails catering to riders of all skill levels
7. Scottish Highlands – The Ultimate Adventure
If it’s awe-inspiring wilderness you’re after, nothing beats the Scottish Highlands. From the mystical waters of Loch Ness to the rugged landscapes of the Isle of Skye, every pedal stroke reveals something extraordinary.
For road cyclists, the North Coast 500 is a bucket-list-worthy route often dubbed “Scotland’s Route 66.” Mountain bikers will love the West Highland Way, which winds past moors, glens, and famous Highland landmarks.
Top Routes:- North Coast 500 – 500 miles of spectacular Scottish scenery
- West Highland Way – a mountain biker’s dream
- Great Glen Way – coast-to-coast from Inverness to Fort William
Don’t Let a Breakdown Break Your Holiday
Cycle holidays are wonderful—adventure can go wrong if something goes wrong. Cycleplan ensures you can cycle with confidence, knowing you’re covered.
- Up to £5 million in Public Liability cover
- Bicycle cover up to £30,000 in the event of theft or damage
- Optional accessory cover and overseas travel