Border & Castles, Forest & Shore

Cycle through pretty Suffolk villages over level terrain to Bressingham Gardens famous for its plant and alpine collections, and its outstanding railway and steam museum. Nearby is Diss, a charming town with a quaint high street leading down to Diss mere. Your hotel for the night is close to the town.

Mileage: Rec 31 Min 26 Max 38

Today you’ll discover the magnificent medieval great hall at Wingfield Old College and perhaps stop for a drink at the excellent pub across the lane. Then on to the beautifully restored post mill at Saxtead Green before arriving at your night’s stop in the quiet market town of Framlingham. The 12th century castle and church are both superb.

Mileage: Rec 31 Min 25 Max 33

Make your way first to taste the wines at Shawsgate Vineyard, then onto Snape Maltings where the Aldeburgh Festival concert hall sits among the little arts community on the banks of the river Alde. On to Orford with its impressive castle keep and quaint quayside where you can take a boat trip. You’ll reach Shingle Street a quiet spot where the River Ore meets the sea, before visiting the rich Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo, then onto the lovely maritime town of Woodbridge with its tide mill on the banks of the River Deben.

Mileage: Rec39 Min 13 Max 46

A day to explore Woodbridge, take a boat trip on the river Deben or ride down to Felixstowe crossing the mouth of the Deben by small ferry.

Mileage: Rec 30 Min 0 Max 35

Winding through Suffolk lanes you’ll pass through Little Bealings, Tuddenham and other pretty villages, each with its own character, church and village inn. You’ll splash through the ford in Kersey and cycle through beautiful Chelsworth with its narrow bridge and weavers’ cottages, before your overnight stop in Hadleigh. Here, in this once important ‘Wool Town’, you can explore the streets lined with overhanging, timber framed houses.

Mileage: Rec 30 Min 25 Max 37

The return to Needham Market takes you through more pretty villages and allows you to explore the unique collection of medieval buildings in Lavenham, the most spectacular of the wool towns.

Mileage: Rec 23 Min 11 Max 33