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Highlights
Enjoy a beautiful biking ride through the Yorkshire wolds
Enjoy a charming and gentle Yorkshire scenery
Visit numerous interesting and quaint villages and market towns
Indulge in authentic local pubs along the route
Cycle on your own pace with all the logistics taken care for you
Unwind on this beautiful circular tour of the Yorkshire Wolds on quiet country lanes for ‘big sky’ cycling on back roads with long views. This cycle will appeal to those who want a gentle introduction to cycling in the English countryside, as the North York Wolds Cycle Route is certainly set up for that. The ‘Wolds’ comprise a great arcing chain of chalky hills north of the Humber Estuary. You can literally see for miles across this gently rolling, colourful chalk land‑agricultural landscape and then be winding your way through a sudden hidden dry valley. These are just some of the features painted by the internationally acclaimed artist David Hockney, who first discovered the Yorkshire Wolds on a bicycle. It is a landscape that inspired Hockney’s ‘Woldgate’. Along the way, the ride passes by hidden villages, grand country houses, nature reserves, historic priories, and some of the region’s most fascinating landmarks.
The ride is in a clockwise direction, the best way of experiencing it and goes west from Beverley to Market Weighton and Pocklington, as far north as Malton, across to Bridlington in the east and then back to Beverley through Driffield, passing through lots of East Riding towns and villages – great for tea and pub stops. Once in Bridlington you can extend the ride northwards to Bempton village and RSPB Bempton Cliffs, taking in clifftop Sewerby Hall & Gardens.
Unwind on this beautiful circular tour of the Yorkshire Wolds on quiet country lanes for ‘big sky’ cycling on back roads with long views. This cycle will appeal to those who want a gentle introduction to cycling in the English countryside, as the North York Wolds Cycle Route is certainly set up for that. The ‘Wolds’ comprise a great arcing chain of chalky hills north of the Humber Estuary. You can literally see for miles across this gently rolling, colourful chalk land‑agricultural landscape and then be winding your way through a sudden hidden dry valley. These are just some of the features painted by the internationally acclaimed artist David Hockney, who first discovered the Yorkshire Wolds on a bicycle. It is a landscape that inspired Hockney’s ‘Woldgate’. Along the way, the ride passes by hidden villages, grand country houses, nature reserves, historic priories, and some of the region’s most fascinating landmarks.
The ride is in a clockwise direction, the best way of experiencing it and goes west from Beverley to Market Weighton and Pocklington, as far north as Malton, across to Bridlington in the east and then back to Beverley through Driffield, passing through lots of East Riding towns and villages – great for tea and pub stops. Once in Bridlington you can extend the ride northwards to Bempton village and RSPB Bempton Cliffs, taking in clifftop Sewerby Hall & Gardens.
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Yorkshire Wolds Cycling Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Beverley
Arrive in Beverley which in medieval times was in the top 10 most important towns in England, being the place of pilgrimage to Beverly Minster on the site of an early church built by John of Beverley, Archbishop of York. The town is named after the beavers that used to roam around the rivers here. Today you should have time to visit the Minster, a huge cathedral sized church dating back to 1404, on the site of the original church from the 700s. Also visit St Mary’s the 12th century daughter church of the Minster, built to serve Beverley’s trading community. There is a lively outdoor market and a surviving medieval town gatehouse. There are other interesting buildings as well including The Guild Hall.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Beverley
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Cycle to Pocklington
Roll out of the suburbs of Beverley and then through the big sky agricultural landscape, punctuated with small strips of forest plantation, there is a good run into Market Weighton, perhaps for lunch. Once the location of Britain’s largest sheep market, it is also the birthplace of William Bradley, Britain’s tallest recorded man. Today the village is celebrated for its quintessentially English farmer’s market, duck pond and pretty red tile roofs. From here there are a few mild climbs and descents passing Londesborough Park and Gardens and the dry valley of Cleaving Coombe bring you into Pocklington – a historic market town. Peace and tranquility can be found in the renowned gardens at Burnby Hall. It is a town of charming, independent shops and boutiques. The beautiful church dates back to before the 15th century and the illustrious Pocklington School has produced luminaries such as William Wilberforce, the slave abolitionist who began his anti-slavery campaign whilst boarding here.
Accommodation: An old posting and market Inn dating back to Elizabethan times. The inn underwent extensive reconstruction in the early nineteenth century, whilst still retaining some of its original features and has been refurbished over the past couple of years. There is a friendly ghost called Charlotte, as featured on television’s Most Haunted. Rooms are ensuite with free wifi, television, hospitality tray and hairdryer.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Pocklington
Distance: 42km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Cycle to Malton
A series of climbs and the valley of Pasturdale bring you up to Huggate, with its duck pond and small Inn where Hockney once stayed. In his youth Hockney spent two summers stacking corn, cycling and “falling in love with this part of the world.” Heading on you roll around on top of the Wolds before descending into Thixendale. Nearby is the Robert Fuller Gallery – the artist paints wildlife at his estate with cameras set up in several places. An undulating ride brings you to Kirkham on a point above the River Rye before heading north east into Malton. This is a market town that has provided a welcome for travellers from at least Roman times and is now claimed to be ‘Yorkshire’s food capital’ busy with local stores, bakeries, butchers, micro breweries and restaurants. If you have time, or if you want to take an extra day here, 11 km away is Castle Howard, the ornate, gilded 18th century stately home set in landscaped grounds with fountains, trails and lakes. Even closer to Malton is Eden Camp Museum, an ex-World War II prison camp, now a modern history museum.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Malton
Distance: 51km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Cycle to Hunmanby
The day soon gets underway with a steep climb up Fizgig Hill after Settring Village. The cycling then goes back to more gentle undulations through the fertile farmland and hills of the Wolds, by now a familiar pattern. Finally you descend into Cans Dale and over South Dale to arrive in Hunmanby. The village’s name is Danish, originally ‘Hundemanbi’ meaning ‘farmstead of the hounds men’, relating to the hunting down of wolves on the Yorkshire Wolds. A landslip occurred in 1907 revealing a British chariot burial site from the 1st or 2nd century BC, in which a chariot was buried horse and all. A tumulus on a local farm was opened up to reveal an ancient burial site containing 15 skeletons, Roman pottery, a flint axe and arrowheads. Stroll around the village and admire All Saints Church with its unusual Admirals Arch.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Hunmanby
Distance: 50km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Cycle to Driffield
Quite a long day but generally gentle cycling. Although it adds a few kms, you can take a ride off route to the RSPB sanctuary of Bempton Cliffs famed for its breeding sea birds including puffins and razorbills (April to July). More than 200,000 sea birds live on these 100m high chalk precipices over the sea. The next place of note is the seaside at Bridlington, time for a paddle and an ice cream. Just before the town is Sewerby Hall a Grade I listed Georgian country house set in 50 acres of landscaped gardens, recently restored to it’s Edwardian elegance. Then its back inland, cycling along a gentle climb up Rudston Beacon, then a descent into Burton Agnes where you could visit local landmarks which include an Elizabethan manor house, with its haunted hall and a Norman manor house. You finally drift into Driffield (‘Dirty-Field’ in Anglo Saxon). It is named ‘The Capital of the Wolds’, due to its location sitting centrally within the region. It is another charming market town where Wolds produce was shipped down the canal to Hull and out to the rest of the world. There is a good range of pubs and restaurants here.
Accommodation: A class apart, our 18th century listed hotel just oozes style and good taste, with 16 individually styled bedrooms and suites. In keeping with the hotels rich history and quaint market town location, you’ll also find antiques and fine arts throughout. The hotel also boasts an oak panelled restaurant and bar with around 300 single malt whiskies and hand pulled real ales.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Driffield
Distance: 62km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Cycle to Beverley
From here the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle concludes with a shorter day in typical Wolds style, winding around the roads that connect the farms together with the little market villages. The old man-made medieval landscape arrangement still exists. You may notice Dutch influence in some of the buildings in this area. You pass through many farms and a couple of picturesque villages such as Eton and Cherry Burton. Arriving back in Beverley we trust the town will be as welcoming to you as it was to King Charles II, as he stayed in a guest house here for 3 weeks shortly before the start of the English Civil War after being refused entry to Hull.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Beverley
Distance: 32km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Depart
Today is the final day of your time in Isle of Wight, when you departure after your breakfast.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Yorkshire Wolds Cycling Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour in Yorkshire Wolds is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price per person depends on the type of the room that you choose. The price below is per person:- Price per person staying in a single room: on request
- Price per person sharing a double room: GBP720
Accommodation on Yorkshire Wolds Cycling Tour
There is a variety of accommodation along the route ranging from bed and breakfasts, lodges, pubs and small hotels. They are run by cycling-friendly hosts offering en-suite or private facility rooms with a tasty breakfast to get you ready for the day ahead. Further facilities such as washing and drying facilities, packed lunches and packed lunches are available in some accommodations, you will be advised on your listing of what is available.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Yorkshire Wolds Cycling Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers for your luggage; however, you are in charge of any personal transfers needed.
Also included
- Detailed documents, guides, route maps, and GPX tracks
- Emergency telephone support hotline for the duration of the tour
- Pre-planned route
Not included
- Getting to or from Ryde
- Guide services
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Tourist hotel tax, payable each night at hotel
- Visas if required
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities for drivers, servers, or other staff if desired
- Bike rental
Optional Extras
- Bike rental
- Single occupancy upgrades
- How hard is the Yorkshire Wolds Cycling Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need a visa to travel to England?
- Are meals included on the Yorkshire Wolds Cycling Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Beverley to start this tour?
- Where does the Yorkshire Wolds Cycling Tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Scotland?
- Are there any travel restrictions for England?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. The cycle is moderate grade with daily cycles of between 26 and 53km on undulating to hilly terrain. The cycling is on low traffic side roads and cycleways. It is suitable for adults of all ages and fitness levels but not for children. You will need a reasonable level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
6 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
By Train:
Beverley is on the rail network and specifically on the line between Hull and Scarborough.
London Kings Cross to Beverley generally hourly via Hull and possibly Doncaster. Journey takes 3-4 hours. Also from the North on regular trains from York via Hull 1.5-2 hours.
See www.nationalrail.co.uk for timetables and planning.
You are advised to book tickets and reserve a seat (and your bike) in advance. Tickets are usually more expensive if bought on the day of travel.
By Flight:
The nearest Airport is Leeds/Bradford. After a shuttle byus to Leeds railway station it will then be by train via Hull.
Manchester Airport is approx. 2.5hrs away by train.
By Ferry:
Hull is only 10miles (16km) away and takes approximately 25minutes to drive from the Ferry Terminal.
This tour ends where it starts, in Beverley.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a road bike suitable for the demands of the tour. If you are bringing your own bike, make sure to include it in any public transport tickets you reserve.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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