Nantwich, Waterways and Meres

6 nights - Moderate or gentle

This cycling holiday visits the quiet parts of West Cheshire and North Shropshire. Starting in Tarporley, spend the first day exploring Delamere Forest or Little Budworth Common and then head south to the Tudor market town of Nantwich with its many black and white buildings, antique shops and museum.  

From here criss-cross the canals, going through Audlem with its long set of locks and Wrenbury - both villages have lovely pubs overlooking the canal so you can watch the boats. From here pass Cholmondeley Castle Gardens with a lunch stop in Malpas before heading to Shropshire lakes. Spend two nights in Wem or Ellesmere exploring some of the many small glacial lakes in the area. Choose a circular ride, or have a rest from the saddle. Head back to Tarporley  through Farndon on the River Dee.

Cycling distances - This is a flexible holiday. Moderate routes are 20 - 25 miles a day (with an option some days for longer routes) or the gentle option is around 15 miles each day. We can also offer a combination with gentle routes on some days and moderate on others.

Accommodation: Farmhouse or village pubs/ small hotels. On 3 nights there is an option for Country House hotel. Please contact us for details.

COST: Per person

Number of nights	Farms/B & B's	Inns/hotels
6	£475	£535
Single supp/night	£10 - 20	£15-30

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 or Hartford near Northwich

ITINERARY - Mix of accommodation - Moderate

Day 1 - Arrive in Tarporley lunchtime/early afternoon. We meet you when you arrive - deliver bikes and adjust them to make sure they are comfortable. Choice of circular rides to Delamere Forest (24 miles) or Little Budworth Country Park (10 miles). Opportunity to look around the Shire Horse Centre

Day 2 - Cycle from Tarporley past Beeston Castle and along quiet lanes to Nantwich with its pretty streets, antique shops and small museum. Spend time exploring the town then continue on past Stapley water Gardens and on to the small village of Wynbunbury for the night. 20 miles.

Day 4 - Cycle past Dagfields antique and craft centre, on to canalside village of Audlem and watch the canal boats going through one of the longest sets of locks. Continue on through Wrenbury to Cholmondeley. Visit Cholmondeley Castle Gardens (only open Wed, Thurs, Sun and bank holidays). Accommodation either Cholmondeley Arms or farm nearby.  23 - 25 miles. 

Day 5 - From Cholmondeley cycle through Tilston, passing Stretton Water Mill and continue on to Malpas. From here its a quiet 7 mile run to Hanmer village with its peaceful lake and nice pub and on to the market town of Ellesmere. Stay at a comfortable farm on the edge of the town. Visit the mere and the canal wharf. 24 - 25 miles

Possible Extra day- Circular route to Colemere Country park along a lovely stretch of canal towpath. From here cycle on to Whittington and the castle ruins and back to Ellesmere. 24 miles

Day 6 - 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 7 Cycle to Farndon on the River Dee, on to Tattenhall with a choice of places for lunch. From here pass (and stop!) at the Ice Cream and Cheshire Cheese Farm. Then a short ride back to your start where we meet you with your luggage and collect the bikes. 

ITINERARY - Gentle based on a mix of accommodation

Day 1 - Arrive in Tarporley from lunchtime/early afternoon. We meet you when you arrive to deliver the bikes and adjust then to make sure they are comfortable. Circular cycle ride to Little Budworth Country Park (about 10 miles). Opportunity to look around the Shire Horse Centre

Day 2 - Cycle from Tarporley past Beeston Castle and then along quiet lanes to Nantwich with its pretty streets, antique shops and small museum. 15.5 miles.

Day 4 - From Nantwich short section out of town on main road, then lanes. Cycle to Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker - (now a fascinating museum) and on to Wrenbury on the Shropshire Union Canal. From here its a gentle ride to Cholmondeley. Visit Cholmondeley Castle Gardens (open Wed, Thurs, Sun and bank holidays) Accommodation, Cholmondeley Arms.14 - 15 miles. 

Day 5 - A little longer day today. From Cholmondeley cycle to Malpas then its a quiet 7 mile run to Hanmer village with its peaceful lake and nice pub. From here to the market town of Ellesmere to stay at a comfortable farm on the edge of the town. Visit the mere and canal wharf. 17 - 18 miles

Day 6 - Circular route to Colemere Country park along a lovely stretch of canal towpath. On to Loppington and then back to Ellesmere. 14 miles

Day 7 - A longer day, but lovely quiet cycling through Bangor on Dee and Worthenbury on the river Dee and on to spend a night in comfortable farm near Hampton Heath. 17 - 18 miles

Day 8 - Cycle between the Peckforton Hills, (short detour of 2 miles to the Candle workshops) and on to Tattenhall with a choice of places for lunch. From here pass (and stop at!) the Ice Cream and Cheshire Cheese Farm. Then its a short ride back to your start in Tarporley where we meet you with your luggage and to collect the bikes. 13 miles

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