Castles and Meres Tour

5 or 6 nights - Gentle, moderate or strenuous

This cycling holiday starts near Chester allowing an opportunity to visit this Roman city at the start or end of your break. Meander through the quiet countryside of south Cheshire, crossing canals and circling the Peckforton Hills (dotted with castles). Explore Delamere Forest, the largest area of woodland in Cheshire, Mount Pleasant Gardens, Beeston Castle and visit the Dysart Arms one of the best pubs in the area, before heading to Shropshire's Lakeland. 

The Ellesmere area has many small glacial lakes, mosses, rare plants and wildlife and cycling is particularly quiet and peaceful with some lanes that rarely see a car!. From here head back to Chester along the Welsh border through the pretty villages of Bangor on Dee and Farndon. Can add an extra night staying in the Ellesmere/Wem area with circular rides to Colemere Country Park and Whittington Castle.

Cycling distances - Gentle 10 - 15 miles (one day 19 - 20 miles), Moderate 20 - 25 miles a day, Strenuous 35 - 40 miles. This is a flexible holiday and we can offer a mix of distances for different days if you want a couple of easy and a couple of moderate/strenuous days.

Accommodation:  Farms, or pubs/small hotels. It is possible to have a mix of accommodation and Country House Hotels are available some nights. Please phone, e mail.

Pubs/Hotels - In Chester upgrade to hotel with leisure facilities and pool option (£10 per person). If parking required you may need to upgrade to this hotel as standard hotel has limited parking, particularly if starting on a weekend night.

COST: Per person

Number of nights	Farm/B & B's	Inns/Hotel	Country House Hotel
5	£435	£470	£610
6	£490	£535	£695
Single supp/night	£10 - 20	£15-£30	£30 - 40

Child Discounts - (Children sharing with 2 adults) Under 2 - free, under 4 -  80%, Under 12 - 50% and 12 to 16 - 25%

 

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

ITINERARY - Moderate route staying a mix of hotels and farms (vary slightly for other accommodation)

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 gentle, traffic free cycle trails. From here route heads to Kelsall and on to Georgian village of Tarporley to stay at the Swan Hotel. 23.5 miles

Day 3 - Cycle from Tarporley 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 Wrenbury and on to Cholmondeley. Visit Cholmondeley Castle Gardens (open Wed, Thurs, Suns and bank holidays) . 20 - 21 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 Bangor on Dee.  25 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.

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

ITINERARY - 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 Boot Inn at Willington, and continue on to Little Budworth Country Park, passing near the Shire Horse Centre and then to the Georgian village of Tarporley to stay at the Swan Hotel. 15.5 miles

Day 3 - Cycle from Tarporley past Beeston Castle and on to Bunbury with church, restored water mill, staircase locks and one of the best pubs in the area. From here follow quiet lanes to  Cholmondeley. Visit Cholmondeley Castle Gardens (open Wed, Thurs, Suns and bank holidays) . 13.5 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 along the canal from Ellesmere to Colemere Country Park. then on to Hanmer village for lunch, with its mere and nice pub. from here to Malpas and then on to Millmoor Farm. 17 miles.

Day 6 -  Cycle back to Chester through Bickerton and Tattenhall, past the Cheshire Cheese and Ice Cream Farm and on to Chester. The last part of the route follows the canal. We meet you back in Chester with you luggage and to collect the bikes. 16 miles 

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