Holidays are chosen to explore the best scenery and nicest places. You go at your own pace, take detours and stop when and where you want. There are plenty of places for 'refreshment' and a comfortable place to stay each night. Detailed maps are provided with routes highlighting things to see and do along the way. We move your luggage each day so you travel light, and we are always just a phone call away if you need our help.

Holidays start on any day. Routes are graded (gentle, moderate or strenuous) and flexible so there's something to suit all ages and abilities. 

Choose from touring breaks where you stay somewhere different most nights, or one centre breaks, popular with families and those who may not want to cycle or walk every day. 

Cycling holidays are one centre or touring breaks which we have carefully planned. We do also offer holidays on the Cheshire Cycleway which is a signed route. 

Our walking holidays are either one centre breaks (which can also be combined with cycling) or they follow a trail like Offas Dyke path, Dales Way, Llangollen Canal, These are organised as a full walking holiday package or a walkers accommodation booking and luggage service - where we help you plan your route, book accommodation and  move your luggage.

While we offer a wide range of holidays many people do not find exactly what they are looking for. We arrange many individually tailored holidays including alterations to holidays featured on the web site to tailored personal itineraries. We can also cater for larger groups and at several of the one centre bases we can offer very competitive dinner, bed and breakfast breaks.

Some holidays are suitable for disabled people. Please phone to discuss your accommodation requirements.

At the end of the day welcoming accommodation, good food and a comfortable bed are essential. Over the years we have found many special places to stay. Whether you are looking for a quiet farmhouse, country pub or hotel with good food, or the luxury of a country house hotel we have found the best places to stay along our routes. We inspect all accommodation we use regularly, and insist on high standards. We also pay a great deal of attention to customer feedback which helps us ensure that accommodation standards continue to be high.

All holidays include bed and breakfast and some walking holidays also a packed lunch.  Evening meals are not generally included as we find people prefer to make their own arrangements for evening meals. Most accommodation is in towns or villages where there is a choice of places to eat in the evening and we provide advice and guidance about the best options in the route notes. Farmhouses are often a little distance from a village but all accommodation (except for some of the trail walking holidays, where evening meals are provided) is close to at least one good pub and somewhere to eat in the evening. 

Our accommodation options are flexible. If you would like to stay in a selection, sampling the best, (perhaps a night in a quiet, quality farmhouse, another in a country house hotel) give us a call and we can suggest the best options for you on the holiday you select..

Cycling routes cover different distances and terrain. They are flexible and there is something for everyone regardless of age and fitness. Generally routes cover 15-25 miles a day through gentle countryside and can be managed by most people, though we do have longer more demanding routes. We grade routes from gentle, moderate to strenuous. In gentle countryside, 20 miles will probably take someone who doesn't cycle regularly 2 -3 hours, so there's plenty of time for a leisurely lunch and exploration.

Walking holidays - Walking routes are either along well marked, signed trails like Offa's Dyke and the Shropshire Way or follow towpaths, footpaths and bridleways. Each group receives a holiday information pack with the route marked on an Ordnance Survey Landranger map, written directions and information about places of interest on the route and nearby pubs, teashops and shops. For people using the Walkers  Accommodation Booking and Luggage Service only, maps and guide books are not included, although we do sell them separately - see Publications.

Fitness - You do not need to be super-fit to enjoy one of our holidays, they are pleasurable, not an endurance test! You do have all day, and if you do not regularly cycle or walk one of the gentle options is easily manageable for most people. Routes are graded (gentle, moderate or strenuous) and flexible so there's something to suit all ages and abilities. If you do not cycle or walk regularly it is a good idea to do some preparation before you come on the holiday.

You're welcome to bring your own bike if you prefer. W will deduct £5 a day on a short break and £8 on a longer holiday. Please make sure it is roadworthy and don't forget to bring spare inner tubes with you.

We have a range of children's bikes, seats, and trailer bikes, but it's it often a good idea to bring their own as they tend to be more comfortable using their own bike. 

We have reduced price for children on all breaks, except cottage holidays. 

    

 On cycling holidays and most walking holidays (except the walkers accommodation booking service)  we meet you when you arrive, adjust your bike, if cycling, to make sure you are comfortable, and answer your questions about the routes and other arrangements. 

Each day luggage is transferred to your next destination - you only take what you need for the day. If you buy anything, call and we'll move it with your bags! If you break down or need help we're only a phone call away.

Cheshire, Shropshire and the Welsh borders has good road and rail links. Most holidays are accessible easily by train and there are stations in Chester, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch as well as many other local stations. Now that the upgrading works have been completed on the West Coast rail line, London is only 2 hours from Chester by train, Leeds and Sheffield are also about 2 hours. If booking in advance there are many cheap ticket offers. See the Trainline

Manchester airport is only 45 minutes from Chester and Liverpool is less than 40 minutes. Airport transfers can be arranged.

On walking and cycling holidays come by car and we will arrange parking for you; come by train and we will collect you from the nearest local station. Detailed instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday will be sent to you in your holiday information pack. 

For walkers using the Accommodation Booking and Luggage service, there are easily accessible stations, on Offa’s Dyke, Anglesey Coastal Path, Shropshire Way and Ribble Way. We can help with car parking arrangements and taxis to collect you from stations- please e mail or give us a call.

Discounts:

• Children sharing rooms with adults (not cottage holidays): Under 2s are free; under 4s an 80% reduction; under 12s a 50% reduction; and, 12 and over a 25 % reduction
• 10% reduction for groups of 4 or more adults.
• Bring your own bike and there is a reduction of £6 a day on short breaks and £8 on longer breaks.

The holiday price includes

• Overnight accommodation with full breakfast (except self-catering holidays)
• Bike and equipment hire on cycling holidays
• Detailed routes and Ordnance Survey maps
• Transfer of your luggage each day
• Emergency back-up service
• Transfer to and from local station

• If you don't find what you want, or have questions please e mail us at info@byways-breaks.co.uk. or call us on +44 (0)151 722 8050.
• Complete our on line booking/reservation form if you know which holiday you require and would like to check availability. If you want us to tailor-make a holiday complete the tailor-made form. At this stage we do not require any payment. Please read the booking terms - terms
• We will confirm availability for dates you require by e mail or phone.
• Once availability is confirmed we will send you a booking form which you should return to us along with a deposit payment. A £30 per person deposit is required for breaks up to 4 nights and £50 per person for breaks over 4 nights.
• Payment can be made by Credit or Debit Card or Cheque. We do not take payment over the internet. We do make a small charge of 1% on credit card payments. To convert the price to your national currency go to UNIVERSAL CURRENCY CONVERTOR.
• Once we have received payment we confirm your booking by return along with an invoice showing the balance outstanding and date it is due. Your holiday must be fully paid 6 weeks prior to departure date.
• Once full payment has been made you will receive a final confirmation.
• One to two weeks week before the start of your holiday you will receive your full holiday pack.