Canals, Castles and Chester

2 or 3 nights - GENTLE OR MODERATE

A relaxing short break. The gentle option is ideal for children and those wanting easy cycling with plenty of time to explore. The moderate option offers longer distances exploring this interesting part of Cheshire. A range of accommodation is available, including farms, hotels and country house hotels. 

Begin near Chester allowing opportunity to visit this Roman city at the start or end of your break. Cycle through rolling farmland passing pretty villages, canals and castles south of Chester. There are plenty of places for children and adults to visit, including a Cheshire Cheese and Ice Cream Farm, Beeston Castle, a working Water Mill, antique shops and pretty villages like Tarporley and Bunbury. Adding a fourth day takes you to Wrenbury on the Shropshire Union Canal and Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

Cycling distances - Gentle 10-15 miles a day available. Moderate around 20 miles a day.

Accommodation: Farms/guest house, pubs, hotels or country house hotels. The Country House Hotels have well recommended restaurants.  On the first night in the country house hotel there is use of leisure facilities including an indoor pool. For hotels, there is an option to upgrade to a hotel with leisure facilities and a pool. You can also mix accommodation.

COST: Per person

Number of nights	B & Bs/Farm	Inns/Hotel	Country House Hotel
2	£180	£205	£275
3	£225	£275	£375
Single supp/night	£10 - 15	£15 - 25	£30 - 35

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 - This holiday is flexible and itineraries vary depending on accommodation and number of nights selected. This option based on three nights in hotels. Please phone to discuss details for your choices

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 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 - Gentle route - Cycle out of Chester along the canal and through Hockenhull Platts nature reserve to Tarvin. From here pass close to Boot Inn at Willington (good lunch stop) and on to Little Budworth Country Park and village. From here you can do a short detour to the Shire Horse Centre and then on to the Georgian village of Tarporley to stay at the Swan Hotel. 16 miles

Moderate route - 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. 25 miles

Day 3 - Cycle to Beeston Castle, well worth a visit, with views across 8 counties on a clear day. Go through Bunbury village (small detour here takes you to working water mill and staircase locks on the canal. There is also the excellent Dysart Arms !. From here moderate route goes through canal village of Wrenbury and on to Cholmondeley Castle Gardens (only open Wed, Thurs, Sun and bank holidays). Gentle route misses Wrenbury. Stay at the Cholmondeley Arms. Moderate route 20 - 21 miles, gentle route 13 - 14 miles.

Day 4 - Cycle back to Chester through Burwardsley with option to detour to visit Candle Workshops or have coffee at Pheasant Inn. From here its downhill all the way to 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. Main route with detour 19 miles, short route 16 - 17 miles.

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