Black and White Villages

4 nights - Gentle or moderate

A leisurely tour of some of Cheshire's finest black and white villages and the lovely Tudor market town of Nantwich. Starting near Chester, explore  Delamere Forest or Little Budworth Common, then to Tarporley with its Georgian High St and good selection of places to eat. From here the route takes you to pretty villages like Bunbury and market town of Nantwich. On the moderate route you then head on to Audlem with the busy Shropshire Union canal, and the long stretch of locks, before joining the gentle route near Wrenbury where you can watch the boats negotiate the swing bridge from the canalside pub. 

Head back to Chester through the unspoilt borders area around (not up) the Peckforton Hills, past Stretton Mill and through the pretty black and white village of Tattenhall. 

There are lots of interesting things to do along the route including a visit to Hack Green Nuclear bunker a fascinating 'cold war' nuclear bunker which is now a museum, Dagfields crafts and antiques centre, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Beeston Castle, Stapley Water Gardens, and Nantwich Museum.

Cycling distances - Gentle 10 - 15 miles a day, moderate 20-25 miles per day

Accommodation: Farms/B & B's or inns/hotels. On the hotels option you can upgrade to hotel with leisure facilities and pool for £10 per person. If parking is required you may need to upgrade to this hotel as the standard hotel has limited parking, particularly is starting on a weekend night.

COST: Per person

Number of nights	Farm/B & B's	Inn/Hotel
4	330	365
Single supp/night	£10 - 15	£15-25

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 (Chester) Nearest station - Chester

ITINERARY - Moderate route

Day 1 - Arrive at hotel 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 in farmhouse 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 then along quiet lanes to Nantwich with its pretty streets, antique shops and small museum. Spend some time here exploring the town and then continue on past Stapley water Gardens and on to the small village of Wynbunbury for the night, staying at the Swan Inn. 20 miles

Day 4 - Cycle past Dagfields antique and craft centre and on to the canalside village of Audlem and watch the canal boats going through one of the longest sets of locks. Continue on through Wrenbury to Cholmondeley. Accommodation is either in the Cholmondeley Arms or farm nearby -  23 - 25 miles. 

Day 5 - From Cholmondeley cycle back to Chester through Tilston, Coddington and Tattenhall. Stop for a visit to the Cheshire Cheese and Ice Cream Farm and then continue back into Chester following the canal towpath for the last section. We meet you back at your starting point with you luggage and to collect the bikes.- 22 - 24 miles - we can shorten this route if you want to finish early - please advise us.

ITINERARY - Gentle route

Day 1 - Arrive at hotel 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 in farmhouse 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 detour to the Boot Inn at Willington, and continue on to Little Budworth Country Park. From here on to the Georgian village of Tarporley for tea and cakes, before the final few miles to Hill House Farm. 12 - 15 miles

Day 3 - Cycle to Bunbury with an option to loop to Beeston Castle and then along quiet lanes to Nantwich with its pretty streets, antique shops and small museum. 13 miles or 17 - 18 with loop to Beeston. Stay near Nantwich in comfortable farmhouse.

Day 4 - From Nantwich take quiet lanes, past Hack Green Nuclear Bunker (an old bunker now an interesting museum) crossing the canal and on to the canalside village of  Wrenbury stopping for lunch at the Cotton Arms, overlooking the canal. From here past Barn Books and on to Cholmondeley. Visit Cholmondeley CAstle Gardens (open Wed, Thurs and Suns) Accommodation is either in the Cholmondeley Arms or farm nearby -  23 - 25 miles. 

Day 5 - From Cholmondeley cycle back to Chester past the candleworkshop and on the to pretty black and white village of Tattenhall. Stop for a visit to the Cheshire Cheese and Ice Cream Farm and then continue back into Chester following the canal towpath for the last section. We meet you back at your starting point with you luggage and to collect the bikes. About 15 - 17 miles - we can shorten this route if you want to finish early - please advise us.

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