Castle and Meres

Itinerary for Castle and Meres

Gentle route

Day 1 – Arrive in Chester from lunchtime. We meet you when you arrive to deliver bikes and adjust them to make sure they are comfortable. Circular ride around countryside on the outskirts of Chester (about 10 – 13 miles) or if you are staying on outskirts of Chester a ride into the city along the canal (no traffic!) (about 10 – 11 miles). Opportunity to look around the Roman City of Chester.

Day 2 – Cycle through Hockenhull Platts nature reserve to Tarvin. From here pass close to the Boot Inn at Willington (good lunch stop) and on to the Georgian village of Tarporley for tea and cake, and then on to the comfortable, quiet quiet pub near Little Budworth, optional detours to the Shire Horse Centre and through Little Budworth Country Park. About 13 – 20 miles

Day 3 – Cycle back into Tarporley and then on to Beeston Castle, well worth a visit, with views across 8 counties on a clear day. Go through Bunbury village (small detour here takes you to working water mill and staircase locks on the canal. There is also the excellent Dysart Arms!. From here on to Cholmondeley Castle Gardens (only open Wed, Thurs, Sun and bank holidays). Stay at the Cholmondeley Arms. About 16 miles.

Day 4 – Cycle to Malpas and then through quiet countryside to the village of Hanmer with its small mere and nice pub. After lunch continue on to small market town of Ellesmere. 19 – 20 miles.

Day 5- Cycle from Ellesmere to Overton and then on to Tilson. 16 miles.

Day 6 – Cycle back to Chester through Farndon and Aldford and on to Chester. We meet you back in Chester with your luggage and to collect the bikes. 12 – 16 miles

Moderate route staying hotels and farmhouse B & Bs

Day 1 – Arrive in Chester from lunchtime. We meet you when you arrive to deliver bikes and adjust them to make sure they are comfortable. Circular ride around countryside on the outskirts of Chester (about 10 – 13 miles) or a cycle ride into the city along the canal (no traffic!) (about 10 – 11 miles). Opportunity to look around the Roman City of Chester.

Day 2 – Cycle through Hockenhull Platts nature reserve to Tarvin. From here pass Boot Inn at Willington, Mount Pleasant Garden (not open every day) and continue on to explore Delamere Forest along gentle, traffic free cycle trails. From here route heads to Kelsall and then on to Little Budworth to stay at the Red Lion a nice country pub. 20 – 25 miles

Day 3 – Cycle into Tarporley and then on to Beeston Castle, well worth a visit, with views across 8 counties on a clear day. Go through Bunbury village (small detour here takes you to working water mill and staircase locks on the canal. There is also the excellent Dysart Arms !. From here route goes through canal village of Wrenbury and on to Cholmondeley Castle Gardens (only open Wed, Thurs, Sun and bank holidays). 20 – 25 miles.

Day 4 – Cycle to Malpas then through quiet countryside to village of Hanmer with small mere and nice pub. After lunch continue on to the small market town of Ellesmere. About 20 miles.

Day 5 – From Ellesmere cycle to Overton and then past Erdigg National Trust house and gardens and then on to spend a night in the small village of Tilston. 31 miles or shorter route missing Erdigg of about 18 miles

Day 6 – Cycle back to Chester along the river Dee, through Farndon, the architect design village of Aldford, with a lunch stop at the Grosvenor Arms. From here to Waverton and then back into Chester along the canal. About 22 miles

Extra Day – Circular route to Colemere Country Park passing several of Shropshire’s small meres (lakes) and then on to explore the small market town of Ellesmere with the largest of the meres in the area and busy canal wharf. (If staying in Ellesmere the route is to Colemere and then Whittington Castle ruins) 24.5 miles

Strenuous route

Day 1 – Arrive in Chester from lunchtime. We meet you when you arrive to deliver bikes and adjust them to make sure they are comfortable. Circular ride around countryside on the outskirts of Chester (about 10 – 13 miles) or if you are staying on outskirts of Chester a ride into the city along the canal (no traffic!) (about 10 – 11 miles). Opportunity to look around the Roman City of Chester.

Day 2 – Cycle through Hockenhull Platts nature reserve to Tarvin. From here pass Boot Inn at Willington, Mount Pleasant Garden (not open every day) and continue on to explore Delamere Forest along traffic free cycle trails. From here the route heads to Kelsall and on to Little Budworth to stay at the Red Lion. 30- 35 miles

Day 3 – Cycle from Little Budworth into Tarporley, then past Beeston Castle and on to the Bunbury with its church, restored water mill, staircase locks and one of the best pubs in the area. From here follow quiet lanes to Nantwich and Wrenbury and on to Cholmondeley. Visit Cholmondeley Castle Gardens (open Wed, Thurs, Suns and bank holidays) . 35 – 40 miles

Day 4 – Cycle from Cholmondeley, through Tilston, past Stretton Mill (a working water mill). From here on to the small town of Malpas – nice cafe here and then follow quiet lanes to Hanmer with its Mere and pub. After a break continue on to the market town of Wem. About 35 miles.

Day 5 – From Wem, cycle Colemere Country Park and then along the canal to the pretty market town of Ellesmere. From here on to Overton and then past Erdigg National Trust house and gardens and then on to spend a night in the village of Tilston. 42 – 45 miles (but reduce to under 40 miles.

Day 6 – Cycle back to Chester along the river Dee, through Farndon, the architect design village of Aldford, with a lunch stop at the Grosvenor Arms. From here to Upper Burwardsley, past the Ice Cream Farm and then back into Chester along the canal. About 30 miles

Extra Day – Circular route to Hawkstone Park, and through quiet villages of Hodnet, Stanton on Hine heath, Hadnall (nice tea shop at the Country Garden Centre. From here to Burlton, with the lovely Burlton Inn and back to Wem. About 35 miles

Accommodation

Farmhouse B & Bs, or country inns/small hotels. It is possible to have a mix of accommodation and Country House Hotels are available some nights. Please contact us and we can help with the options.

Parking at farmhouse near Chester. Hotel parking in Chester is limited.

Pricing

Prices shown are per person

Discounts & Offers

Child Discounts – (Children sharing with 2 adults)

Under 2 – free
Under 4 – 80%
Under 12 – 50%
12 to 16 – 25%

Group Discounts – 10% for groups of 4 or more adults

Discount for using own bikes –  £10 per day

What's Included?

This cycling holiday includes –

• Overnight B & B accommodation
• Detailed routes, maps, background information
• Quality bikes (discount available of you prefer to bring your own)
• Helmets and tool kit, puncture resistant tyres
• Luggage transfer & full support and back-up should you need help
• Car parking or transfer to and from nearest station

Nearest station – Chester