Cycling North Yorkshire

Description

North Yorkshire is considered by many to be one of the best and most scenic areas to cycle in the UK. In fact, some say it’s a hidden gem with beautiful uninterrupted landscapes, an abundance of woodlands and wildlife, stunning historic villages, 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 the magic this county has to offer.

This fully guided cycling holiday is based in the North Yorkshire village of Sproxton and is our base for the 5-day trip, just outside the historic market town of Helmsley, 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 106 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. This area is also designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty!

Accommodation for this trip is based at Sproxton Hall Cottages, rated 9.0 on booking.com on a room-only basis, in a variety of cottages sharing a twin or double room or on a sole-occupancy/single room basis in either mixed/female or male only cottages. There is no single room or sole occupancy supplement on this holiday! Everyone will have access to kitchen facilities, a lounge or social space but you will have to share bathrooms. 

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 majesty and splendour of Castle Howard, the market town of Pickering, gateway to The North Yorkshire Moors national park, the historic village of Coneysthorpe, which was filmed and featured in Netflix Bridgerton, 18^th century Ampleforth Abbey and chocolate box villages of Coxwold, Ampleforth, Hovingham, Slingsby and Nunnington to name a few, as well as the opportunity to enjoy stunning North Yorkshire countryside and scenery.

Holiday Highlights

• Opportunity to visit historic market towns of Helmsley and Pickering
• Opportunity to visit Castle Howard and its estate
• Visit to majestic Ampleforth Abbey
• Stay in good quality accommodation at Sproxton Hall Cottages in Sproxton, North Yorkshire
• The chance to visit a variety of quaint North Yorkshire Villages
• Riding in the Howardian Hills, 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 06 September 2027

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

Day 2 - Tuesday 07 September 2027

Ride through North Yorkshire pretty villages (30 miles/48km, ascent 2200 feet/670m)

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 30 miles with a couple of coffee/lunch stops and you will ride through a variety of North Yorkshire villages and interesting places to visit including Ampleforth Abbey, Oswalkirk, Gilling, Nunnington, Slingsby, Hovingham and Coulton. We will enjoy a coffee stop after about 5 miles at Ampleforth Abbey café and lunch will be in a lovely café in the historic village of Hovingham, a village without streetlights! 

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 08 September 2027

Ride to historic market town, Pickering, gateway to North Yorkshire Moors national park. (40 miles/64km, ascent 1102 feet/335m)

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/easygoing. This ride is approximately 40 miles and is mainly on quiet roads and lanes except for the first section, which is a challenging descent into historic market town Helmsley. After Helsmley we cycle through several small villages and hamlets including Harome, Wombleton, Welburn, Salton, Normanby, Marton, Kirby Misperton, Nunnington and Oswalkirk. Lunch stop in Pickering. You will have some time to explore Pickering and its many independent shops and services before our return to Sproxton. This is a figure of eight ride and please note, whilst this is graded as easygoing there is a steep ascent at the end of the ride back to our base in Sproxton. Please note, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry for everyone to enjoy.

Day 4 - Thursday 09 September 2027

Ride to historic Coneysthorpe and majestic mansion Castle Howard and Estate. (36 miles/58km, ascent 1800 feet/548m).
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. We head out towards Oswaldkirk and open countryside mainly on quiet country lanes and roads with a steady ascent up to the picturesque village of Coneysthorpe, made famous as it was featured in the Netflix award winning period drama Bridgerton. Have your cameras ready as this is a picture-postcard chocolate-box village with its timeless setting and pretty architecture. The village is just a stones throw from Castle Howard and its sprawling but magnificent estate. After Coneysthorpe, we will make our way to Castle Howard and its regal splendour for lunch in the courtyard cafe and an opportunity to explore the area and take photographs of the house before heading back to Sproxton via Slingsby and Oswalkirk. Please note there is a steep ascent before we arrive back at our accommodation at Sproxton. Please note, our final evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry for everyone to enjoy and to say our goodbyes before returning home after our trip.

Day 5 - Friday 10 September 2027

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 Sproxton after checking out from your accommodation. Don’t forget to leave your key!

Accommodation

Accommodation for our trip is Sproxton Hall Cottages, Hagg Lane, Sproxton, York, North Yorkshire. Sproxton Hall Cottages are four family-owned holiday cottages in the heart of North Yorkshire, close to Helmsley, a traditional Yorkshire market town. For more information about the accommodation visit sproxtonhallcottages.co.uk.

There is ample bike storage and charging points for e-bikes at the accommodation.

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: 8-12 people.

Dates & Prices

6-10 September 2027, Price £449. There is no sole occupancy supplement on this holiday.

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 in a series of cottages at Sproxton Hall Cottages
• 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 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 Sproxton Holiday cottages, please complete the appropriate section in the booking form to request a transfer. This can be arranged but you will need to be quoted a price for the return transfer by one of our team as this is a special request.

Bike Hire

Bike hire can be arranged with one of the local bike shop 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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