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Travel advice for England
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to England
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written by Greg Dickinson
updated 5.07.2021
London is a cyclist’s nightmare, so they say. Bus drivers cackle as they deliberately squeeze commuters onto the pavement, pedestrians wander into busy roads with complete disregard for silent pedallers, and what about the smoggy, toxic city air? There's no doubt that cycling in the heart of London can be a bit of a slog, but there’s still hope for those city dwellers with itchy calves. Away from the congested centre there is a whole host of scenic, low-traffic bike routes available; here are five of my favourite ways to escape the big smoke on two wheels, ranging from a laid-back day in south London to a 100-mile epic to the coast.
20 days / from3042 USD
The Great British Road Trip
Get ready to explore Britain on this unique self-drive road trip. Choose the car of your liking before you hit the road: from the Cotswolds and its picturesque villages over the Beatle's favorite hang-out in Liverpool to Scotland's capital Edinburgh: this trip includes many highlights to be explored
view tour ⤍5 days / from648 USD
Refreshing English Countryside Break
Outside of London, England is known with a countryside full of history, picturesque villages, patchwork hills, and winding country roads. Explore the countryside with its castles, parks, and historical cities such as Oxford.
view tour ⤍14 days / from3274 USD
Walking around vintage England and picturesque Scotland
Visit two traditional capitals, London and Edinburgh, and enjoy a trek through the Loch Lomond national park. This trip will let you discover peaceful Scottish islands by foot, with several days of detailed walking tours included in the trip.
view tour ⤍12 days / from2917 USD
Hiking in out-of-the way Northern Cornwall
Northern Cornwall is a hiker's paradise and this itinerary includes the most scenic parts. You will start your journey in London with some unique activities to get to know the city, before setting off on a 5-day walk across Cornwall. End your trip in Bath and explore the backdrop of Bridgerton.
view tour ⤍12 days / from2708 USD
A walking holiday on the Jurassic Coast
Walking the Jurassic Coast is one of the best ways to truly appreciate the spectacular scenery. Walks range from easy to challenging. 6 days walking are included in this itinerary, as is an extensive pre-program in London and a last night back in the capital.
view tour ⤍11 days / from1308 USD
England Historical Highlights
Discover the highlands of England: From busy London and its Buckingham Palace over historical Oxford to the mysterious Stonehenge. England has plenty to offer and this self-drive itinerary allows you the freedom and flexibility to choose activities to your liking.
view tour ⤍8 days / from4001 USD
Discover 'All Creatures Great and Small' - England & Scotland
Explore the sets of the TV show "All Creatures Great and Small". The show follows the adventures of a young veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1930s. Start in London and make your way up to Yorkshire and then further to Edinburgh in Scotland.
view tour ⤍The 20km (14 mile) Wandle Trail is an easy-going ride suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Starting from King George’s Park in Wandsworth, the low-traffic route creates the rare illusion that you have escaped the bustle of the city, wiggling along the river Wandle through a number of city parks and nature reserves. Cyclists share the trail with walkers and joggers, inviting a slower pace to enjoy the varied birdlife (including herons, which have recently returned to the area) and the rusting old watermills that flank the route. Keep an eye out for the blue plaques that commemorate understated events that have taken place along the trail, for example “Tony Trude moored his houseboat, Land of Cockaign, and watched river life. The boat sank in 2001”.
The London to Cambridge cycle route is an oft-overlooked way of reaching Britain’s academic motherland, but at just 60 miles – and with no climbs of any note – it’s a great option for anyone with a day and a pair of wheels at their disposal. Nick Martin’s blog maps the best traffic-free route, taking in a practically deserted stint through the farmland between Standon and Stanstead Abbotts. If it’s a sunny day there’s even the chance to get your feet wet in a couple of fords in the depths of rural Hertfordshire. For those who don’t fancy the cycle back, it’s a one-hour train ride from Cambridge into the city.
This is the ride of choice for cyclists looking to push their legs to the limit, taking in three serious hills in the wooded Kent countryside just outside the M25. Heading out through Bromley and West Wickham, cyclists embark on this popular bike ride to face three mammoth climbs – Toys Hill, Ide Hill and Crockham Hill. With gradients pushing fifteen per cent, these hills have become the stuff of legend even among drivers, and should only be considered by the kind of cyclists who revel in the pain of a long, uphill ascent and the cathartic, eye-streaming downhill that follows.
Teeming with well-groomed hipsters and dog-walking cockneys, Victoria Park is the ideal starting point for a day trip out to Epping Forest. Shortly after leaving the park the route follows the River Lea towpath for 16km (10 miles) from the Olympic Park to the reservoirs in Ponders End. The only on-road stint (and contour of any description) is the climb up Kings Head Hill just a mile away from the forest. At 6,000 acres, you could easily spend hours exploring London’s largest open space, with plenty of bumpy off-road tracks available for those with thicker tyres. For a pint with a view, the Butler’s Retreat offers sweeping panoramas from the edge of the forest; if you have one too many, trains run direct from nearby Chingford to London Liverpool Street.
Explore more of London with the Rough Guide to London. Book hostels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.
Top image: Cycling in Kent, England © Tom Wang/Shutterstock
written by Greg Dickinson
updated 5.07.2021
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to England