Some of the UK’s most scenic spots are places you can’t reach unless you’re cycling or on foot. So, cycling experts at Paul’s Cycles have collected some of the hidden gems you can enjoy on a 100% car-free trip.
Cycling holidays are consistently popular, with thousands of monthly searches for “cycling holidays” each year in the UK* and a particular spike in interest during June and July
With UK diesel prices now the highest in Europe, and sustainable travel options already in-demand, an increase in car-free trips may be on the cards this summer.
“Cycling adventures offer a unique and rewarding way to explore, providing many benefits over traditional road trips,” says Adam Cross, Customer Manager at Paul’s Cycles. “In contrast to driving, where you’re often confined to the car and miss much of the scenery, cycling allows you to fully engage with your surroundings. It’s easy to stop at a park or lake without worrying about parking fees, and you can even plan camping stops for an extended overnight adventure.”
Taking into account factors like public transport access and must-see highlights, Paul’s Cycles has rounded up the 10 best carless adventures around the UK. Here are just a few from the full list:
Wiltshire White Horses, England
In the Wiltshire countryside, you can find curious white horses etched into the chalk hills. The White Horse Route, a 117-mile circular cycle path gets you out of your car and able to view six of these majestic carvings, starting from Swindon, Bath, or Kemble. Along the route, you’ll enjoy stunning views with 5,500 feet of climbing.
While many of these horses have disappeared, eight remain, including the prehistoric Uffington horse dating back 3,000 years. Broad Town, near Swindon, has another horse accessible only by foot or bike.
Getting to these sites is easy with regular coach and train services. Swindon and Chippenham are reachable from London Paddington, and Salisbury from London Waterloo. Other routes connect Wiltshire towns, ensuring convenient access for visitors from all over.
Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail, England
The heart of Suffolk is somewhere you might not expect to see a UFO gliding across the sky. However, according to the history books, in 1980 many UFO sightings occurred in Rendlesham Forest – making it arguably the most significant sighting incident to have occurred in the UK.
These mystical moments can be explored on the UFO Trail in the forest, which can be easily reached by public transport, but must then be explored by bike or foot onwards. The 64/64/65 First Bus service connects Aldeburgh to Ipswich via Rendlesham.
Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland
Feast your eyes on the mountains that inspired Narnia, Game of Thrones, and many more poets, filmmakers, and songwriters.
The Mourne Mountains are part of the Ice Age Range in southeast Northern Ireland in County Down. And it’s here you can find the highest mountain, Slieve Donard, which stands at a mighty 2790ft.
This brilliant area can be initially reached by public transport but then only by foot or bike onwards. From Belfast, you can get the train or bus to Newcastle, and then from there is a bus straight to the mountains.
Corryvreckan Whirlpool, Scotland
This absolute must-see is truly nature at its finest, and perhaps a tad scary. The Corryvreckan Whirlpool, situated between the Scottish islands of Jura and Scarba, is said to have been conjured by a witch to save Scotland from a nasty pirate.
The whirlpool is the third largest in the world and actually occurs when the dangerous currents and standing waves between the two islands begin to swirl around the changing of the tides. The effect of the whirlpool then takes place as the in and outgoing tides enter the narrow strait of the two islands and it is pushed up and down forming a pinnacle in the middle.
Other than a few limited boat services that take you out on the treacherous waters, the whirlpool is best seen by land and can only be reached by foot or bike. You are able to take a bus to the end of “Long Road”, the only road on Jura, and then walk or cycle for seven miles.
For more carless adventures, or to learn how to find your own ‘hidden gems’, see the full report on the Paul’s Cycles blog – https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/blog/the-best-car-free-adventures-in-the-uk/
