4 of the Best Coastal Bike Rides in the UK
Coastal bike rides are something special thanks to the sea breeze, the gentle sounds of the ocean, and – of course – the promise of ice cream or fish and chips at the end. There are plenty of bike routes to be found in the UK, so here are 4 of the best coastal bike rides to be found in the country.
1. Swansea Bike Path – Mumbles to the Swansea Marina
Swansea beaches have won a number of awards for their excellence. The Swansea Bike Path is a great way to see them for yourself. This stretch of road is 6 miles of the larger 432 mile Route 4. The path starts at the Swansea Marina and goes to the Mumbles.
Take things further by continuing down Route 4 through Clyne Valley Country Park to reach Kidwelly, taking the 6-mile trail to 24 miles.
2. Brighton to Eastbourne
Brighton is a haven for bikers, thanks to all the cycle lanes. The oceanfront views are something you need to see for yourself too.
The coastal ride between Brighton and Eastbourne mostly happens on cycle paths, but sometimes you’ll have to be on the road. Start at the pier and ride along the coast to Newhaven with the ocean on your left. You’ll pass through the Brighton Marina and Rottingdean along the way.
You’ll land at the harbor in Newhaven and then continue riding alongside the Cukmere River before hitting the Cuckoo Trail and cycling to Eastbourne Park. At 34-miles long, this is a more challenging – but rewarding – trail.
3. Wells and Holkham Circuit
This circular route begins at Wells-Next-The-Sea, passes through Holkham National Nature Reserve, and goes along the Holkham Beach. This ten-mile ride covers the Pottery Yard and Shop and the Stables Restaurant, where you can stop for a bite to eat.
If you’re looking to enjoy the local wildlife, then consider taking a boat up to Blakeney Point to find Grey Seals. Cley Marshes is home to plenty of birds, so bring a pair of binoculars and see what sights are on offer.
The ride covers public roads, paths, and private roads.
4. Coast and Castles Trail – Newcastle to Edinburgh
The Coast and Castles trail is for people who fancy a real challenge. The path as a whole comes in at 200 miles, but the coast version – which goes from Newcastle to Edinburgh – is around 170 miles.
The bike route follows along the shoreline, passing through fishing villages, beaches, and stunning ancient castles, including Bamburch, Warkworth, and Lindisfarne.
Make things a bit easier on yourself by breaking the route up into several smaller stretches. The stretch between Haddington and Cockburnspath is only 9 miles. Or, you could take things to the next level and do the full North Sea Cycle Route. The route covers over 6,200 kilometers or 3,852 miles. That’s one path you definitely want to split into bit-size chunks.
Summary
Any of these coastal bike paths would make for a great day out. Remember that the journey is more important than the destination. Don’t forget to take things slow and enjoy the sights.
