Website cookies We believe in doing right by our customers. Like most websites, ours uses cookies, but rest assured that we don’t set more than we need to and we never gather information that directly identifies you. By accepting all cookies, you’ll benefit from extra functionality such as saving a wishlist, and you’ll help us to improve the site and our advertising. If you would still prefer us to set only essential cookies, you can. You can change your preference at any time by clicking on the ‘cookies’ link at the foot of the page. Learn more

0     
+44 (0)1653 617001
back
back
back
back
back
back
An inside view
Our latest magazine
  • 6 scintillating rail trips
  • green Slovenia
  • favourite food markets
  • the British answer to Tuscany and other regions
Download magazine
back
back
back
 

Back Lanes & Byways of North Norfolk

Inntravel’s first UK cycling holiday
 
Explore Norfolk's celebrated coastline and gentle hinterland on this hotel-to-hotel cycling holiday, with luggage transported. Along the route, there are hidden gems to visit, such as splendid Houghton Hall, and you stay in high-quality accommodation, including a country hotel on the edge of magnificent Holkham Estate.
Back Lanes & Byways of North Norfolk. 6 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Back Lanes & Byways of North Norfolk. 6 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A cycling holiday in Norfolk

With a labyrinth of backroads perfectly suited to leisurely pedalling, Norfolk is the obvious location for our first-ever cycling holiday on British soil. Contrary to popular belief, this lush and fertile county is not flat but hillocky, dimpled and undulating – its gentle curves concealing a whole host of hidden gems: from Houghton Hall – the splendid Palladian home of Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole – to quiet rural villages curating historic relics and welcoming inns.
Beyond this gentle hinterland lies Norfolk’s celebrated coast, where a unique seascape hosts a wide variety of nesting birds; where superb local produce such as samphire and Cromer crab is readily available; and where small harbours fringe unspoiled shores.
 

Book with confidence

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >
Our flexible booking policies >
 
Images courtesy of David Woodcock Photography (© DW)
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.

Unless otherwise indicated, all journeys, visits and excursions mentioned below should be paid for locally.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    East England is less prone to rain than the west, but you should always be prepared for wet weather.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 6 6 9 11 15 19 21 21 18 15 10 7
    mm 54 40 46 48 46 50 53 54 50 57 65 59
  • Arrival in Stettisham
    Night 1: at The Rose & Crown (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of cycling.
  • Choice of routes from Snettisham: 32 or 34km (20 or 21 miles)

    Circular route via the Sandringham Estate: 32km (20 miles)
    Snettisham is within easy pedalling distance of the Sandringham Estate, and your first day’s ride takes you through the extensive grounds of this favoured royal residence. Park up your bikes to visit the house and gardens (online pre-booking essential; closed Fridays & 23-31 July 2022) before continuing on two wheels to Castle Rising, a large and impressively well-preserved Norman keep surrounded by vast earthworks. Returning to Snettisham, you pass through the tiny village of Anmer – Norfolk home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Options to shorten to 24km if omitting Castle Rising.
     
    Circular route via Houghton Hall: 34km (21 miles)
    Also packed with interest, this alternative route leads first to landmark Bircham Windmill – one of very few windmills left in the area and the only one in working order that is open to the public. Should you wish to try your hand at a spot of bread-making, classes are run daily at the windmill, with no pre-booking required. The ultimate goal of this route, however, is Houghton Hall, which is well worth visiting for several different reasons: Houghton was once the home of Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole; it boasts both elegant Palladian architecture and impressive contemporary sculptures; and is renowned for its Soldier Museum, which houses the world’s largest private collection of model soldiers. It is possible to visit Bircham Windmill on the return route if preferred.
    The tiny village of Anmer
    Cycle past Bircham Windmill
    Circular route via the Sandringham Estate: 32km
    Circular route via Houghton Hall: 34km
  • Snettisham to Holkham: 32km (20 miles)
    Leaving Snettisham, you pedal north then east along the National Cycle Network, taking note of how red-brick houses give way to flint-built cottages as you near Norfolk’s popular north coast. The county’s ‘prettiest town’, Burnham Market, makes a natural lunch stop today, and we also suggest setting aside some time to explore the town’s independent shops and charming Georgian architecture. Your onward route passes through the peaceful village of Burnham Thorpe – where Vice Admiral Nelson was born – before reaching Holkham, another of Norfolk’s great estates, the hall being beautifully kept and the sprawling grounds containing a six-acre walled garden, boating lake and deer park. Your destination is The Victoria Inn, on the edge of the estate, where you spend two nights.
    Burnham Market
    Snettisham to Holkham: 32km
  • Circular route from Holkham: 28km (18 miles)
    Today’s route first takes you to a point where you can easily access Holkham Beach, the undisputed jewel of the Norfolk coastline and a paradise for a wide variety of migratory and nesting birds. Next stop is the historic harbour town of Wells-next-the-Sea, from where, you head inland the village of Wighton, where local cheesemaker, Mrs Temple, produces delicious homemade cheeses using milk from her own herd. You then continue to the pilgrimage site of Little Walsingham – England’s ‘Nazareth’ – which has been the site of a shrine since the 11th century and which, thanks to its quaint high street, still has the intimate feel of a medieval market town. The final leg of your route returns to Holkham through Triumphal Arch, designed by the renowned architect William Kent to impress travellers passing through to the North Norfolk coast.
    Holkham Beach
    Circular route from Holkham: 28km
  • Holkham to Blakeney: 27.5km (17 miles); Holkham to Cley: 29km (18 miles)
    Bidding Holkham Estate farewell, you continue your journey eastwards. Places of interest to visit along the way include the site of Warham Camp Iron Age circular hill fort; atmospheric Binham Priory, founded by a nephew of William the Conqueror and one of the county’s most complete monastic ruins; and Langham Dome, telling the story of men and women stationed here during and after WW2. You continue along lanes to Blakeney, the perfect example of a Norfolk harbour village with its narrow streets, flint-pebble cottages and traditional, family-run shops. Your final two nights are either spent here at Blakeney House, or at our upgrade option, the nearby Cley Windmill.
    Blakeney
    Langham Dome
    Holkham to Blakeney: 27.5km
    Holkham to Cley: 29km
  • Circular route from Blakeney: 23km (14 miles), or 37km (23 miles); Circular route from Cley: 19km (12 miles), or 32km (20 miles)
    Whether you are staying in Blakeney or Cley, today you have the chance to visit the perfectly formed Georgian town of Holt. Although one of the most attractive towns in the area, Holt remains much less known than, for example, Burnham Market, and its many art galleries, specialist shops and eateries can be enjoyed at leisure. You can choose to extend your route to Holt first by following the Glaven valley to Letheringsett Mill. When the time comes to return to your accommodation, we suggest cycling via the Cley Nature Reserve, whose superlative bird-watching opportunities provide one final high note on which to end your two-wheeled exploration of rural Norfolk. You can opt to lock your bikes and meander on foot along the coastal path.
    Explore Cley Nature Reserve
    Circular route from Blakeney: 23km
    Circular route from Blakeney: 37km
 

Accommodation

This holiday features an enticing selection of accommodation, from historic country inns to a handsome guesthouse.

We offer an upgrade option in Cley-next-the-Sea (please note the stay here is on a bed-and-breakfast basis). We ask that you indicate your hotel preference at the time of booking.

Whether you spend your final two nights in Cley or Blakeney, it’s well worth extending your stay for more time to visit the local nature reserves, to take a boat trip to see the nearby seal colony, and to enjoy your excellent accommodation.
 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
Currency converter
We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency.
Please enter an amount Please enter a valid amount British Pound Sterling (GBP)
Currency is required
NB: this should be used as a guide only. Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in significant variation by the time you come to pay.

  • 6 nights: 01 April 2022 - 15 October 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 28 Apr 2022 £1045 £535
    29 Apr - 26 Jun 2022 £1145 £580
    27 Jun - 30 Sep 2022 £1195 £615
    1 - 9 Oct 2022 £1045 £535
    3rd & 4th person discount -£30
    Single traveller supplement £30
    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, and any connecting travel detailed below.

    Deduct £50pp Jul-Sep or £34pp all other dates if staying at Blakeney House on Sunday and Monday (when the restaurant is closed) and not adding an extra night

    Included travel: transfer Blakeney or Cley-Snettisham to collect car OR from King's Lynn railway station / to Sheringham railway station

    Electric bikes available: add £90 per person

    Please note: dogs are not permitted on Inntravel holidays

  • 6 nights, staying at Cley Windmill (2 dinners): 01 April 2022 - 15 October 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Apr 2022 £1180 £650
    1 May - 30 Sep 2022 £1280 £695
    1 - 9 Oct 2022 £1180 £650
    3rd & 4th person discount £0 to -£30
    Single traveller supplement £30
    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, and any connecting travel detailed below.

    Deduct £50pp Jul-Sep or £34pp all other dates if staying at Blakeney House on Sunday and Monday (when the restaurant is closed) and not adding an extra night

    Included travel: transfer Blakeney or Cley-Snettisham to collect car OR from King's Lynn railway station / to Sheringham railway station

    Electric bikes available: add £90 per person

    Please note: dogs are not permitted on Inntravel holidays

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day's hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add a further £13pp per day.
    The Rose & Crown, Snettisham (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 15 Oct 2022 £118 £208
    The Victoria Inn, Holkham (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 15 Oct 2022 £200 £294
    Blakeney House, Blakeney (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 30 Jun 2022 £105 £197
    01 Jul - 30 Sep 2022 £115 £213
    01 Oct - 15 Oct 2022 £105 £197

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Cley Windmill, Cley-next-the-Sea
    Deluxe: 01 Apr - 15 Oct 2022 £60

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day's hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add a further £13pp per day.
    The Rose & Crown, Snettisham (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 15 Oct 2022 £118 £208
    The Victoria Inn, Holkham (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 15 Oct 2022 £200 £294
    Cley Windmill, Cley-next-the-Sea (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 15 Oct 2022 £160 £305
  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Connecting travel options - out via King's Lynn, home via Sheringham or Norwich

    Outward route Price per person Latest train
    arrival time
    taxi King's Lynn station to hotel (0h30) included flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest train
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Sheringham station (0h20) included flexible
    taxi hotel to Norwich station (1h) £22 flexible
What is included
  • 6 nights
  • 3 dinners (2 on upgrade)
    6 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • high-quality bicycle
  • taxi from/to local railway stations or to collect car
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • If your holiday plans go awry because of Coronavirus, rest assured that we’ll do right by you. Since the start of the pandemic, our flexible booking policy and prompt issuing of refunds to customers who prefer not to defer their holiday have earned us high praise in the national press.
  • We sincerely hope that your holiday experience will be as enjoyable as it would have been before the pandemic – cycling holidays are ideal in these times of social distancing, and we’re not operating holidays if the key highlights can no longer be delivered – but, naturally, there will be some changes to ensure your and other people’s safety, not least proving your vaccination status or taking a test in order to travel.
    Your holiday experience: what to expect >
    Safety measures being taken by hoteliers & others >
    Entry requirements for non-UK destinations & for re-entering the UK >
  • Our chosen bike rental shop will provide you with a hybrid bike with 21 gears; a waterproof map case on the handlebars; rear panniers; a puncture repair kit and spare inner tube; lights; a gel seat; and a lock. Electric bikes are available as an upgrade (see price panel), subject to availability, and must be requested at the time of booking.
  • While we would always recommend that you take your own well-fitting helmet, they can be provided free of charge by the supplier. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to hire a helmet.
  • Yes, we will provide GPX tracks for the cycling trails on this holiday prior to departure so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. (We also provide maps and our tried-and-tested route notes for all of the cycling and walking routes that we recommend.)
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. On mornings when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation so that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.
  • You are responsible for damage to or loss of the rental bike while it is hired to you. Always be careful to lock it up, ideally to an immovable object, and remove all easy-to-steal accessories whenever you leave it unattended.
  • Yes, absolutely. Over the years, we have arranged a great many holidays in the UK for customers living in the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond.

    If you've never travelled with us before, it's worth reading the web pages which explain how we can cater for customers who live outside the UK. The main thing to bear in mind is that our tour operator's licence doesn't allow us to book flights that originate outside the UK, and nor are we able to book rail travel in the UK, so we can't make travel arrangements for you, other than pre-arranging taxis between the local railway station and the accommodation – see the ‘prices & travel’ section for the options available.

    For practical information about travelling to the UK, see the 'what do I need to know about travelling to England, Scotland and Wales?' question.
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to take out a policy with our recommended provider (if you live outside the UK you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    We'll ask you for the details of your policy (insurer, policy number and medical emergency phone number) so that we can help out if the worst happens while you are on holiday. It's up to you, though, to check that your policy covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs; we don't check alternative policies.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they cycle regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
  • As a minimum, you will need a passport to enter the UK; requirements vary according to your nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. You’ll need to check requirements on the website of your own country’s government or that of the British government. Our essential travel information page provides links to websites where you can find out about the applicable requirements, along with general official travel advice.
     
    English is the most widely spoken of several official languages; in Wales, for example, Welsh has equal status. The currency is the British pound (Scotland issues its own bank notes, but Bank of England notes can be used in Scotland and vice versa). The UK follows Greenwich Mean Time during autumn and winter, but switches to British Summer Time (GMT + 1) from late March until late October.
Last fetch time is : 5/29/2022 3:05:50 AM