Suffolk Castles, Coast & Villages - 7 nights | 6 stages

Suffolk Castles, Coast & Villages - 7 nights  | 6 stages

Day 1 - Arrival to Ipswich

Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, birthplace to Cardinal Wolsey, King Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor. Busy market town with a medieval street plan including 13 medieval churches and some impressive historic buildings such as the 17^th century Ancient House with its highly decorative plasterwork (‘pargetting’), the red brick stately home, Christchurch Mansion, (now a museum) with its beautiful parklands. The modern, lively waterfront contrasts with delightful restaurants and bars as well as the opportunity to take to a gentle cruise down the River Orwell.

Extra nights available!

Day 2 - Ipswich - Needham Market - Framlingham (train + 53 km - 277m up / 266m down)

Travel by train to Needham Market. You will be picked up at Needham Market station and transfered to the nearby office where the bikes, maps and route information will be provided.

Cycling 53 kms on quiet country lanes. Head through quiet lanes, perhaps stopping at a thatched country pub before continuing via the small market town of Eye, with its Norman Castle, before turning south-east towards Saxtead Green. Here you can visit the beautifully restored 18^th century post mill before discovering the charms of nearby Framlingham, a very English town with a bustling market square full of interesting little shops and a mighty 12^th century castle. Walk the castle walls for stunning views of the town and its rolling Suffolk countryside.

Day 3 - Framlingham - Aldeburgh (50 km - 307m up / 335m down)

The route from Framlingham passes Shawsgate Vineyard where you can test for yourself the growing reputation of English wine. You continue east reaching the coast at Dunwich, the onetime capital of the Kingdom of East Anglia. One of the largest towns in medieval times, Dunwich has now largely been taken by the sea; fortunately a lovely traditional Suffolk pub remains – a good place to stop for lunch. Visit the Bird Reserve at Minsmere as you head south to Thorpeness, a complete holiday village created in 1910, with mock Tudor houses clustering around the man-made pleasure lake with a myriad of islands with fantasy castles and crocodiles. Finally then to the elegant sea-side town of Aldeburgh for the night.

Day 4 - Aldeburgh - Woodbridge (51 km - 342m up / 337m down)

Going inland to gain river crossings you can visit the Maltings at Snape, home of the Aldeburgh Festival and home to galleries, smart shops and a range of cafes and pubs. Heading eastward again through beautifully quiet lanes to reach Orford where you can take a boat trip, climb to the top of dramatic Orford Castle and taste wonderful seafood. Continue then to the smart market town of Woodbridge.

Day 5 - Circular stage from/to Woodbridge (51 km - 338m up / 338m down)

First stop is the Royal Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo, just across the river from Woodbridge. Follow the river Deben southwards before crossing via a small ferry and riding along the coast to the Victorian seaside resort of Felixstowe with it’s colourful beachhuts and pier. In the afternoon, complete the circumnavigation of the Deben estuary as you return to Woodbridge.

Day 6 - Woodbridge – Bildeston (51 km - 400m up / 371m down)

Cycle through rolling countryside as you approach the fine ‘Wool Town’ of Hadleigh where a Tudor red brick Deanery Tower sits alongside the most impressive medieval church topped with a spire and leaning houses with bright pargetting line the main street. Next historic Kersey thrills with a downhill from church to watersplash. Together with nearby Chelsworth, it counts amongst the prettiest villages in England. Only a short distance then to the half-timbered medieval village of Bildeston and your bed for the night.

Day 7 - Bildeston - Bury St Edmunds (47 km - 405m up / 404m down)

Start the day with the medieval labyrinth of half-timbered houses that is Lavenham, the most famous ‘Wool Town’. More rolling countryside follows and a visit to the pretty village of Hartest before dropping in at the eccentric, oval stately home of Ickworth House a few miles outside the ancient market town of Bury St Edmunds. Bury is full of history, tiny streets and old Suffolk charm. Walk through the massive stone gateway to the ruined abbey flanked by beautiful gardens leading down to the River Lark. The cathedral here gained its impressive tower to celebrate the new millennium. There’s a twice weekly market and a chance for a drink at The Nutshell, the smallest pub in Britain.

Day 8 - Return

After breakfast the trip will be over.

OPTIONAL: extra night/s available on request.

Suffolk Castles, Coast & Villages - 7 nights  | 6 stages

• All bookings are on request and with a minimum of 2 people

Daily Distances
47 – 53 Km

• 1 night in 4* hotel, 4 nights in 3* hotels, 1 night in traditional coaching inn and 1 night in 4* guest accommodation.
• Upgrade available in Ipswich - nicer location (waterfront) but further from the station
• Upgrade available in Bury St Edmunds - more central location

Characteristics of the route

Travel to Ipswich

Ipswich is 67 minutes away from the City of London by train and enjoys a very frequent train service (from London Liverpool Street Station). The hotel is 10 minutes walk from the Railway Station (link - http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk). (Station codes are LST for London Liverpool Street, IPS for Ipswich and NMT for Needham Market).

There is a regular bus service from London Stansted Airport to Ipswich (Cardinal Park) – journey time 90 minutes (see journey planner at: http://www.nationalexpress.com/). The hotel is a 5 minute walk from the coach stop.

Suffolk Castles, Coast & Villages - 7 nights  | 6 stages

Suffolk Castles, Coast & Villages - 7 nights  | 6 stages

 Included:

• 7 nights in selected accommodation with breakfast

• Luggage transfer between accommodations

• Emergency breakdown service (every day – 0900-1700)

• Detailed tailor-made cycling maps (per room)

• Route planning:

• Navigation App Access to smartphone (iOS or Android) / or GPX files available upon request - using your own smartphone or GPS device

• Bracket to attach the phone to the handlebars

• Turn by turn navigation notes in English (or German) – supplied electronically / hardcopy available on arrival

• Detailed information on things to see, pubs and tearooms along the route - in English (or German) – supplied electronically / hardcopy available on arrival

• Paper mapping and notes also available if requested well in advance

 Not included:

• Single train ticket Ipswich to Needham Market costing approximately £5.70 per person

• Ferry across the Deben costing £4 per person and across the Orwell/Stour costing £8.10 per person including bike

 Bike Hire:

• 21 or 24 speed hybrid touring bicycle (fitted with puncture resistant tyres, freewheel gears) with basic tools, puncture repair kit, spare inner tube (1 per 2 customers), lock, pump and pannier/bag when required. Lights are not supplied with the bikes as they are not usually necessary; they are however available if requested in advance

• 7 or 8 speed e-bike (fitted with lights, puncture resistant tyres, freewheel gears) with basic tools, puncture repair kit, spare inner tube (1 per 2 customers), lock, pump and pannier/bag when required