Cycling Luxury North Yorkshire

Description

North Yorkshire is considered by many to be one of the very best and scenic areas to cycle in the UK. In fact, some say it’s an absolute gem with stunning uninterrupted landscapes, an abundance of wildlife and woodlands, stunning historic villages with timeless market squares, rugged moorlands, and the region is a diverse and breathtaking place to explore on two wheels at a relaxed pace, giving you the opportunity to experience everything this county has to offer.

This fully guided luxury cycling holiday is based in the North Yorkshire village of Knayton, our base for the 5-day trip, just outside the historic market town of Thirsk, with its impressive and imposing market square, with its abundance of independent shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and other services. All three guided rides are mainly on quiet country roads and lanes, but the scenery and sites are spectacular. The routes chosen are not without their challenges and this area is well known for the odd steep climb and descent, but some sections offer an easier gradient, with far reaching views over open countryside. 

Accommodation for this trip is based at a lovely imposing luxury farmhouse stay with outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, rated very highly, 5* on Air BnB with some fantastic reviews, on a room-only basis, in a variety of room types, sharing a twin or double room or on a sole-occupancy/single room basis. There is a sole occupancy supplement on this holiday (see price description). Everyone will have access to kitchen facilities, a lounge or social space but you will have to share bathrooms. Please note this property has a lot of outdoor seating for you to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views from the various terraces. 

On this holiday, we also offer our group the opportunity to enjoy some downtime and dine out together in a pre-selected choice of local restaurants and hostelries. It’s a great way to get to know each other and enjoy some of the very best food and drink this area has to offer. Please note, pre-booked local taxis will take us from our accommodation to the restaurant or pub and return after the meal. The return taxi fare is not included in the holiday and will be an extra cost individually, which will need to be paid locally. There is no pressure for you to join the group in an evening, just let the guide know you will not be attending.

Everyone who is booked on this trip will receive a bespoke itinerary via email about one week before departure explaining every element of your trip. There are some real highlights to relish on this trip including visits to The White Horse of Kilburn, Kilburn, a village in North Yorkshire, England, is famous as the home of the "Mouseman," Robert Thompson, a renowned craftsman who carved a signature mouse on his distinctive oak furniture, with his workshop and visitor centre continuing his legacy today, attracting many to see his work and the Mouse Man Visitor Centre. Boroughbridge, a lovely North Yorkshire market town, with a lovely square, independent shops and Thirsk, another quintessential North Yorkshire market town, famous for being the home of James Herriot, the beloved vet and author of All Creatures Great and Small, with his former surgery now a popular museum. Thirsk Hall and Kirkgate were filming locations for popular series Downton Abbey too. We will also enjoy some fantastic panoramic landscapes towards Sutton Bank, a dramatic escarpment within the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, famous for offering what’s often called “England’s finest view” over the Vale of York, featuring steep cliffs, the historic Kilburn White Horse, marking a significant geographic boundary and a prominent ridge with Jurassic strata. We will also be visiting many pretty villages as part of our cycling on this trip.

Highlights

• Opportunity to visit historic market towns of Thirsk and Boroughbridge
• Opportunity to visit the village of Kilburn, home of "Mouseman," Robert Thompson, a renowned craftsman.
• Opportunity to visit the White Horse of Kilburn
• Stay in superb quality accommodation with pool and hot tub
• The chance to visit a variety of quaint North Yorkshire Villages
• Cycling in beautiful countryside in the foothills below the imposing Sutton Bank escarpment
• Dine out at a variety of good quality local restaurants and hostelries

Itinerary

This is a fully guided and supported 5 day cycling trip. Itinerary as follows:

Day 1 - Monday 14 September 2026

Arrival in Knayton.
If you are travelling by train, you will arrive at Thirsk Station. Arrangements can be made to transfer you and your bike to Knayton, but this will need to be arranged at the time of booking. For those driving, simply make your way to the accommodation in Knayton by the designated time. A representative from Halcyon Cycling Holidays will meet you and show you to your accommodation. There is ample car parking on site. You are then free to spend time exploring Knayton or nearby Thirsk. Please note, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry to welcome everyone on the trip.

Day 2 - Tuesday 15 September 2026

Ride through North Yorkshire Pretty Villages (35 miles/56km, ascent 1755 feet/534m)

After breakfast, we will assemble outside the accommodation, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 2/3 (see grading system) easygoing to steady. There are a few challenging ascents and descents on this ride. The ride is approximately 35 miles with a coffee and lunch stop planned and you will ride through a variety of North Yorkshire villages and interesting places to visit including Kirby Whiske, Maunby, South and North Otterington, Yafforth, Great and Little Laughton, Thintoft, and Morton on Swale to name a few. 

On day 2, after we get back after our ride, please note this is a free evening, no evening meal has been booked, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy the accommodation facilities and dine with your fellow housemates.

Day 3 - Wednesday 16 September 2026

Ride to Kilburn and The White Horse (31 miles/50km, ascent 2157 feet/657m)

After breakfast, we will assemble in the courtyard outside the accommodation, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3 to 4, steady to challenging. This ride is approximately 31 miles and is mainly on quiet roads and lanes but there is a challenging ascent into Kilburn. This is a circular ride. We will have the opportunity to explore Kilburn and cycle up to the White Horse but please note it’s a challenging climb! The Kilburn White Horse is England’s largest and most northerly hill figure, carved in 1857 into Sutton Bank by schoolmaster John Hodgson and volunteers, inspired by south chalk figures but needing limestone clippings for its distinctive white appearance. It’s a famous landmark in North Yorkshire, visible for miles. Lunch stop is in Kilburn. Kilburn, North Yorkshire, a picturesque village is known as the home of famous woodcarver Robert Thompson, the “Mouse Man” with a visitor centre to display and explain more about his work. St Mary’s Church in the village also features some of his carvings. On the way back from Kilburn, we will also cycle through breathtaking countryside back to Knayton. After the ride, please note, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry for everyone to enjoy.

Day 4 - Thursday 17th September 2026

Ride to Old Thirsk and Boroughbridge (40 miles/64km, ascent 1112 feet/339m)

After breakfast, we will assemble in the courtyard outside the accommodation, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 2-3, easygoing to steady. This ride is approximately 40 miles and is mainly on quiet roads and lanes. This is a circular ride.  We visit Thirsk our first stop, and specifically Old Thirsk.  Thirsk is a historic North Yorkshire market town, characterised by its medieval cobbled square and deep ties to James Herriot, who based his famous stories there, with its history rooted in Norse times as “dwelling by the water” and featuring sites like St Mary’s church. It’s also a centre for sheep, cattle and horses and it holds a regular weekly market. Another place we visit on this ride is Boroughbridge, another historic market town, known for its Roman roots, located on the River Ure, boasting charming shops, pubs, a lovely band stand and access to sites like prehistoric Devil’s Arrows standing stones and Aldborough Roman Ruins. Boroughbridge is our lunch stop with a good choice of places to eat. On the way back we ride through pretty villages such as Busby Stoop. The Busby Stoop refers to a legendary cursed oak chair and the infamous Busby Stoop Inn, named after Thomas Busby, a murderer executed in 1702 for killing his father-in-law. Before his hanging, Busby allegedly cursed the chair he often sat on, claiming anyone who used it would suffer a misfortune or death. The chair is now on display in Thirsk Museum.

After the ride, please note, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry for everyone to enjoy.

Day 5 - Friday 18 September 2026

Final day and departure
After breakfast, we will all leave for home. A transfer back to Thirsk station will be provided if you are travelling by train or, if driving, you can leave directly from Knayton after checking out from your accommodation.

Accommodation

Accommodation for this trip is a luxury farmhouse close to Knayton, with great facilities, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub. There is ample car parking at the accommodation. Accommodation is allocated in either shared twin or double rooms or on a sole occupancy basis but will have to share bathrooms. Sole occupancy supplement applies. Everyone will have access to the lounge, dining room and kitchen and the fabulous wraparound terrace with breathtaking views towards Sutton Bank.

The Cycling

Each individual ride is graded and detailed in the itinerary description. The rides on this cycling trip have been graded between 2 (easygoing) to 4 (challenging).

This trip is suitable for most bike types except mountain bikes. 

Group Size: 6-8 people.

Dates & Prices

14-18 September 2026, Price £449. Sole occupancy supplement £100.

The price stated is per person.

Additional Info

What’s Included:

• Accommodation (shared twin/ double rooms or for sole occupancy) on a room only basis, staying in the luxury farm house
• Services of a first aid trained ride leader and guide. Please note, we will use the services of a bike mechanic at Red Sky Bikes in Thirsk for the duration of our stay, and there is a taxi repatriation service available if needed
• Bespoke and detailed itinerary emailed to you personally a week before travel
• GPX files emailed in advance of all the rides on this holiday
• Return transfer from local railway station to accommodation if pre-booked
• Local Halcyon Cycling Holidays representative for the duration of the holiday
• Full financial protection (see booking conditions) 

What’s Not Included:

• Bike and helmets 
• Travel or flight costs or charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
• Meals not stated in the itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Personal clothing and equipment
• Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
• Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres
• Other optional activities
• Tips for guides, drivers, support staff
• Transfer costs such as local taxis, minibuses or to meals booked at local pubs and restaurants

Transfer Information

If you are arriving by train and you require a return transfer from Thirsk railway station to farmhouse, please complete the appropriate section in the booking form to request a transfer. This is included in the price of the holiday.

Bike Hire

Bike hire can be arranged with one of the local bike shops in Thirsk. Ask one of our team about arranging for bike hire at the time of booking as this is a special request. On all of our cycling holidays, wearing of a helmet is mandatory.

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