Cycling The Yorkshire Wolds, Mindfulness & Calm

Description

Cycling The Yorkshire Wolds offers some of the most rewarding and peaceful road cycling in the UK, featuring quiet country lanes, dramatic chalk valleys and vast skies landscapes. Sometimes overshadowed by the Dales and Moors, The Wolds remain a hidden gem with minimal traffic, making it ideal for cyclists of all abilities.

This fully guided cycling holiday is based in the North Yorkshire village of Kilnwick Percy and is our base for the 4-day trip, just outside the historic market town of Pocklington, with its abundance of independent shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and other services. All three guided rides are mainly on quiet country roads and lanes and will cover approximately 78 miles, 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 The Wolds Retreat BB rated highly on review sites, as part of the The Madhyamaka Centre at Kilnwick Percy Hall in a variety of different ensuite room types on a half board basis, which includes a vegetarian breakfast and dinner. There is no single room or sole occupancy supplement on this holiday! 

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 Pocklington, Bishop Wilton, Millington, Fangfoss, Middleton in the Wolds to name a few, as well as the opportunity to enjoy stunning Wolds countryside and scenery.

Holiday Highlights

• Opportunity to visit historic market town of Pocklington
• Opportunity to enjoy the serene and relaxing surroundings of Kilnwick Percy Hall
• Visit to majestic Market Weighton and sleepy Bishop Wilton
• Stay in good quality accommodation at The Wolds Retreat BB on a half board basis
• The chance to visit a variety of quaint Yorkshire Wolds Villages
• An opportunity to cycle on quiet lanes and roads as part of our trip
• Enjoy freshly prepared vegetarian food in quiet and clam surroundings

Itinerary

This is a fully guided and supported 4 day cycling trip. Itinerary as follows:

Day 1 - Monday 5th October 2026

Arrival in Kilnwick Percy and afternoon ride to Market Weighton (15 miles/24km, ascent 1443 feet/439m)
If you are travelling by train, you will arrive at York Station. Arrangements can be made to transfer you and your bike to Kilnwick Percy, but this will need to be arranged at the time of booking. For those driving, simply make your way to the accommodation in Kilnwick Percy by the designated time. Accommodation will not be available until after 5pm. Please ensure you have access to your cycling gear for the afternoon ride to Market Weighton. There will be a coffee stop in Market Weighton.  Please note there is ample car parking on site. On arrival back at the accommodation, you will be able to check in. A vegetarian meal will be served with the local community at the Madyhyamaka Centre as part of the trip. This ride is graded as 2, easygoing.

Day 2 - Tuesday 6th October 2026

Ride to Bishop Wilton, Fangfoss and Pocklington (27 miles/43km, ascent 1749 feet/533m)

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 (see grading system) easygoing to steady. There are some challenging ascents and descents on this ride. The ride is approximately 27 miles with a couple of coffee/lunch stops and you will ride through a variety of Yorkshire Wold villages inlcuding pictueresque Bishop Wilton, Fangfoss and the pretty market town of Pocklington. Bishop Wilton is a stunning Wolds village and one of the most desirable places to live in England.  The town dates back to the Bronze Age and was highly prominent by the time of the Domesday Book.  Pocklington is a historic market town which still maintains a classic English charm with its distinct red pantile roofs, twisting alleys, and independent retailers. 

On day 2, after we get back after our ride, we will be able to relax and enjoy the calm and join in a meditation session at the nearby Madhyamaka centre and a freshly prepared vegetarian evening meal with the local community. All are welcome!

Day 3 - Wednesday 7th October 2026

Final ride from Kilnwick Percy to Middleton in the Wolds (36 miles/58km, ascent 2447 feet feet/745m)

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, steady This ride is approximately 36 miles and is mainly on quiet roads and lanes, with a coffee and lunch stop and there are some challenging ascents and descents on this ride but are manageable. We will be cycling to the lovely village of Middleton on the Wolds and passing through pictureque countryside and a host of hamlets and villages including Millington, Huggate, Nurburnholme, North Dalton and Goodmanham. You get a real sense of place and will experience the very best the Wolds has to offer in cycling quiet country lanes and roads with vast sweeping vistas all around you!

On day 3, after we get back after our ride, we will be able to relax and enjoy a freshly prepared vegetarian evening meal with the local community. All are welcome!

Day 4 - Thursday 8th October 2026

Final day and departure

After breakfast, you will be able to enjoy a midmorning meditation session at the nearby Madhyamaka Centre with members from our cycling trip and the local community. After the meditation session, sadly we will all leave for home.  A transfer back to York station will be provided if you are travelling by train or, if driving, you can leave directly from Kilnwick Percy after checking out from your accommodation. Don’t forget to leave your key!

Accommodation

Accommodation is on a half board basis staying at The Wolds Retreat, in Kilnwick Percy, just outside Pocklington.  Here you will find a very peaceful environment to relax and rest for a while. There are many nice places to walk, quiet places to read and we also have meditation classes on throughout the week for you to enjoy. You will also be able to visit and enjoy the peaceful and tranquil environment at Madhyamaka centre and engage with the local community at some of their meditation classes (see description).   

They offer a range of different types of simple, comfortable accommodation from single rooms to double or twin ensuites. All rooms have vegetarian continental breakfast included.  If you are looking for a few nights’ peace and quiet then a stay in their Bed & Breakfast at Mahyamaka is ideal. Whilst you are there, you are welcome to join any of their meditation classes (Tuesday evening and Thursday mid-morning), guided meditations or chanted prayers at no extra cost. They have many beautiful paths and quiet spots to sit around the grounds, as well as a beautiful lake to visit. There is a World Peace Cafe on site, which is open every day from 11 till 4, as well as a gift and snack shop, which is open 10 till 4. All of the rooms have central heating, towels, shampoo, free WIFI and a kettle/tea area, and you are welcome to come down to the main part of the building and help yourself to any tea and coffee, and use any of the facilities there at any time. Evening meals are also served at the centre. All food is vegetarian.

The Cycling

Each individual ride is graded and detailed in the itinerary description. The rides on this cycling trip have been graded as 2 easygoing to 3 steady.

This trip is suitable for most bike types except mountain bikes and is most suited to road, gravel, hybrid or e-bikes. 

Group Size: 6-8 people.

Dates & Prices

5-8 October 2026, Price £379 per person on a half board basis, which includes a vegetarian breakfast and dinner each day.

The price stated is per person. There is NO SOLE OCCUPANCY supplement on this trip.

Additional Info

What’s Included:

• Accommodation (shared twin/double rooms or for sole occupancy or single rooms all ensuite) on a half board basis staying at The Wolds Retreat at the Madhyamaka Meditation Centre at Kilnwick Percy Hall, Kilnwick Percy, near Pocklington
• Services of a first aid trained ride leader and guide. Please note, we will use the services of a bike mechanic in nearby Pocklington 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 Information

If you are arriving by train and you require a return transfer from York railway station to Kilnwick Percy please complete the appropriate section on the booking form to request a transfer. A free return transfer is available between York railway station and Kilnwick Percy and Yorkshire Wolds Retreat.

Bike Hire & Mechanic Support

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