Cycling Norfolk

Description

North Norfolk is a picturesque region with enormous variety, famous for it’s stunning, diverse coastline with sandy beaches, salt marshes and dunes, plus a rich hinterland of rolling countryside, woodland areas, charming market towns and villages such as Burnham Market, historic estates and abundant wildlife, making it an ideal place to cycle, walk and for visitors seeking unspoiled natural beauty and history. It’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with unique geological features like the Deep History Coast, offering activities such as crabbing and fossil hunting to exploring steam railways and Victorian piers.

This fully guided cycling holiday is based in the pretty Norfolk village of Burnham Market and our base for the 5 day trip. All four guided rides are mainly on quiet country roads and lanes and will cover approximately 118 miles, graded 2 easygoing to 3 setady, and the landscape, countryside views 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.

Burnham Market is more like a small town, known locally as “Chelsea by the sea” because it’s a picturesque North Norfolk village attracting wealthy Londoners and celebrities, featuring upscale boutiques, fine dining, much like the affluent London district of Chelsea, but by the coast. Its elegant atmosphere led to this nickname, highlighting its fashionable, high-end appeal near the seaside. It has a historic market square, numerous independent shops, restaurants, pubs and galleries, making it a popular destination. It’s known for its charm with its distinctive Norfolk flint cottages, making it an ideal base for our trip.

Accommodation for this trip is on a bed and breakfast basis, in two accommodations sharing a twin or double room, or on a sole-occupancy/single room basis. There is a sole occupancy supplement on this holiday (see prices). There is a mixture of ensuite and shared bathrooms accommodation.

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 enjoy on this trip including visits to the majesty and splendor of royal Sandringham, the Norfolk estate of the King and Queen, The Holkham Hall and Estate, the coastal town of Wells-next-the-Sea and pretty places such as Stiffkey, Burnham Thorpe, the ancestral home of Lord Nelson,  Walsingham, Stiffkey, Binham with its impressive priory, Langham, Docking, Fling, North Creake, Moston Quay, Snettisham, Ringstead and more besides.

Highlights

• Opportunity to visit historic market towns of Burnham Market and Holt
• Explore Thornham Old Harbour
• Visit a variety of coastal places including Wells-next-the-Sea and Burnham Overy Staithe
• Explore Holkham Park Hall & Estate
• Experience the majesty of Sandringham Estate
• Stay in good quality accommodation in selected cottages in either Burnham Market or Burnham Thorpe
• The chance to visit a variety of quaint North Yorkshire Villages
• Riding in the North Norfolk countryside, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty
• 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 10th May 2027

If you are travelling by train, you will arrive at Kings Lynn station. Arrangements can be made to transfer you and your bike to the accommodation, but this will need to be arranged at the time of booking. For those driving, simply make your way to the accommodations in Burnham Market. 

In the evening, a group meal has been booked to welcome everyone on the trip and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the cycling itinerary for the week.

Day 2 - Tuesday 11th May 2027

In the morning ride to Holkham Park Hall & Estate and Wells-next-the-sea (20 miles/32km, ascent 706ft/184m)

We will meet outside The Nelson Country Inn and the Halcyon ride leader will explain today's two rides. In the morning we will ride to Holkham Park Hall and Estate and continue to Wells-next-the-Sea including an opportunity to explore the beach and colourful beach huts and a few North Norfolk villages. We will have a coffee stop on this ride too. It’s a circular ride and a great way of exploring the local area and getting to know members of your cycling group. This ride is graded as 2-3, easygoing to steady.

When we arrive back at Burnham Market you will thave the opportunity to enjoy lunch before we set out in the afternoon to Thornham Old Harbour.

In the afternoon ride to Thornham Old Harbour (22 miles/35km, ascent 720ft/219m)

This is an easygoing ride in the afternoon to Thornham Old Harbour via the Norfolk village of Docking with its pretty church, the venue that hosts a Hare Festival each year in September. Thornham Old Harbour is a tranquil spot on the North Norfolk coastline, primarily known for its atmospheric salt marshes and the iconic weathered Coal barn, which stands proud by the quay side. Once a bustling 18th-century port used for shipping grain and coal - and a notorious haunt for smugglers - it is now a peaceful destination for photographers, bird watchers, walkers and exploring cyclists! Afternoon coffee at Thornham Deli. This ride is graded as 2, easygoing.

 Please note, no evening meal has been booked, you will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the many pubs and restaurants in Burnham Market.

Day 3 - Wednesday 12th May 2027

Ride through rural Norfolk to Sandringham Estate (42 miles/70km, ascent 2285feet/696m)

After breakfast, we will assemble outside The Nelson Country Inn in Burnham Market, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3 (see grading system) steady. There are some challenging ascents and descents on this ride. The ride is approximately 42 miles with a coffee and lunch stop and you will ride through a variety of North Norfolk villages and interesting places to visit including Summerfield, Docking, Frong, Snettisham, Ingoldthorpe, Dersingham and Royal Sandringham Estate. We will stop at St Mary’s Church, Snettisham as this is a splendid example of a historic North Norfolk church as it stand proud overlooking the village green. We will enjoy a coffee stop at Snettisham and lunch at Sandringham. This is a fantastic ride to explore some of the very best countryside North Norfolk has to offer, and you will see an abundance of wildlife – make sure you have your camera at the ready! You will also enjoy some stunning panoramas and seascapes towards the Wash, and we will stop at various places for you to soak up the atmosphere along the way.

After we get back from the ride, please note, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry to enjoy the very best local food and drink this area has to offer.

Day 4 - Thursday 13th May 2027

Ride to Walsingham, Morston Quay and Stiffkey (34miles/54km, ascent 1532ft/466m)

After breakfast, we will assemble outside The Nelson Country Inn in Burnham Market, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3 (see grading system) steady. There are some challenging ascents and descents on this ride. The ride is approximately 34 miles with a coffee and lunch stop and you will ride through a variety of North Norfolk villages and interesting places to visit including Burnham Thorpe, the anscestrol of Lord Nelson, Walsingham, Binham with its impressive Priory, Morston Quay, Stiffkey, Warham and more besides. We will enjoy a coffee stop in Walsingham and a picnic stop at Morston Quay and its harbour with fishing and seal watching sightseeing boats. This is a rural ride and you will have the opportunity to enjoy wonderful scenery, imposing and spectacular architecture and chocolate box cottages and quaint villages not touched by time.

After we get back from the ride, and for the very last time, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry to enjoy the very best local food and drink this area has to offer.

Day 5 - Friday 14th May 2027

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

Accommodation

Accommodation for this trip is based in two venues, The Nelson Country Inn and Nelson Lodge (see images in Gallery) both in Burnham Market. Please note the accommodations are within ten minutes walk of each other. Variety of room configurations with ensuite and shared bathrooms. Nelson Lodge is a large private house with extensive gardens and a number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the property. Search Nelson Lodge Burnham Market for more details. Breakfast will be served at The Nelson Country Inn for everyone. Lockable bike storage is also located at The Nelson Country Inn. See link: https://the-nelson.com/. 

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: 10-12 people.

Dates & Prices

10-14 May 2027, Price £695. Sole occupancy supplement £100.

The price stated is based on a bed and breakfast basis and per person.

Additional Info

What’s Included:

• Accommodation based on a bed and breakfast basis in two accommodations. Different room types available.
• Services of a first aid trained ride leader and guide. Please note, we will use the services of a bike mechanic in nearby South Creake 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 to take you to meals booked at local pubs and restaurants

Transfer Information

If you are arriving by train and you require a return transfer from Kings Lynn railway station to Burnham Market, please complete the appropriate section on the booking form to request a transfer. A free return transfer is available between Kings Lynn railway station and Burnham Market area.

Bike Hire & Mechanic Support

Bike hire can be arranged with one of the local bike shops in Wells-next-the-Sea. 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 just a few miles away in South Creake. On all of our cycling holidays, wearing of a helmet is mandatory.

Gallery