This holiday gives you a comprehensive look at the villages and estuaries of the New Forest National Park, the outstanding coast of Dorset and the isles of Wight and Purbeck and is a real treat.
The forests, heaths and pasturland of the New Forest provide the back drop for the first few days as you ride to Brockenhurst and on to Beaulieu and Lymington. Here is a wealth of maritime history to explore before you cross to the Isle of Wight and continue the wonderful traffic free pedalling which shapes much of this trip. Back on the mainland, the itinerary leads you along quays and cliffs with sand spit and beach side cycling and a couple of ferry crossings to the loved Isle of Purbeck. Not an island proper, but rather a tucked away chalky coastal corner of Dorset, you can enjoy its unspoilt beaches and inland its woods, rural charms and the small characterful town of Wareham. The trip offers huge variety with time to enjoy other activities such as walking, fishing, boating and horse riding to name a few.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
-
from £1,995 per person
- Luxury
-
from £3,230 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Return ferry to the Isle of Wight on Day 4. See what’s included as standard
Duration
8 nights
Start & Finish
Starts Wednesdays and is circular from Burley. Burley is a short taxi ride from Brockenhurst station which is 1.5 hours from London by train. It is also close to Bournemouth airport
Hotels
- Classic
-
Village inns, small hotels and a delightful b&b
- Luxury
-
3 boutique hotels and 2 country house hotels
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle cycling (1) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
5 days of cycling 15 - 24 miles (24 - 38 km) per day and 2 days of optional cycling
Terrain
Flattish
Traffic-free
75%
Options
- Enjoy the assurance of our local guide cycling with you and sharing their knowledge on your first day
- Let us book you a boating, fishing or horse riding experience
- Take an extra day for our walk along the stunning Jurassic coast
- Add on a ride or transfer to include Stonehenge
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
-
1. Day one
Burley
Arrive in Burley on Wednesday and check into your hotel in this typical forest village. At a time to suit you make your way to our base a few minutes walk away, which is open from 09.00 to 17.30, to pick up your cycling equipment. Your host will also meet you to run through your itinerary and to familiarise you with the route.
-
2. Day two
Burley to Brockenhurst
Today you will see the best of the New Forest on this wonderful route of off-road gravel tracks giving you a great opportunity to see deer, ponies and pigs as they roam freely in their natural setting. Wonder at ancient and majestic trees and absorb the peace and tranquillity as you ride deep into the forest and into the heart of forest enclosures. Snatch a glimpse of civilisation in the village of Lyndhurst and enjoy an overnight stay in the forest village of Brockenhurst.
19 miles (31 km)
-
3. Day three
Brockenhurst to Lymington
The scene changes gradually from forest to open country as you ride to the pretty Beaulieu river where you will discover the charming village of Beaulieu. Housed here is the not to be missed National Motor Museum and a notable house and garden. If that were not enough, the estate also includes the picturesque hamlet of Bucklers Hard running down to the river, where many famous naval vessels were built. From here it’s a gentle wander to Lymington – a historic maritime town where you will spend the next two nights. Once a busy port rife with smugglers and now a bustling centre with yacht marinas, fishing boats and a ferry, there’s plenty to unearth here.
20 miles (32 km)
-
4. Day four
Lymington to the Isle of Wight and back
Hop aboard the ferry for the half hour trip to the Isle of Wight and discover a different scene today. Landing at Yarmouth with its working pier and tidemill, you could linger for much of the day here. There is a delightful ride on a former railway track heading to the south coast of the island at Freshwater for those wanting to explore the island further and a ride inland to a vineyard with plenty of ferries to return you back to Lymington for your second night there. Not known as gentle cycling territory, we have tailored the ride so your holiday will not be spoilt!
Optional 10 or 18 miles (16 or 29 km)
-
5. Day five
Lymington to Christchurch
Some of the route today follows an old railway line as you pedal along embankments and steam through bridge holes. There are fresh forest tracks to discover and we hope some wonderful encounters with wildlife. You reach the coast along leafy lanes to find Mudeford, a delightful fishing village. Explore here before heading on to Christchurch and your overnight stay.
25 miles (40 km)
-
6. Day six
Christchurch to Wareham
It’s fantastic seaside riding today which includes two ferry hops, two piers, beach side cycling and unspoilt National Trust beaches, woodland and heath. Hop on the short ferry to cross to Hengistbury sand bank, weave past the beach huts and along the breath-taking cliff top. Then a short ride through the valley gardens which run through the heart of Bournemouth before you take the chain ferry to the Isle of Purbeck. Blessed with glorious unspoilt beaches, this tucked away corner of Dorset – not an island proper, is famous for its stunning coastline and steep ridge of hills. Your ride wonderfully skirts the hills on an off-road route through pretty woodland and leads you to the heart of Wareham where you will spend the next two nights.
19 miles (31 km)
-
7. Day seven
Circular ride from Wareham
Wareham is a small and charming market town that sits on the River Frome with over 200 listed buildings. For those wanting a day without pedalling, there are boats to hire from the quay for an easy spin down river to Poole harbour and back. Horse riding is available and there are steam train rides to Corfe Castle and Swanage. Those craving more beach time can pedal to the idyllic Studland beaches. To explore deepest Dorset, there is a wonderfully rural ride which follows two pretty river valleys dotted with fords, hamlets and forests and includes a Tank Museum and Lawrence of Arabia’s Dorset retreat.
Optional 23 miles (37 km)
-
8. Day eight
Wareham to Burley
Start the day with a very short train hop before pedalling traffic free along a disused railway line for much of the ride. Cross rivers and heaths, sprint through forests, and enjoy the villages enroute of this woodland area. You will ride through the market town of Wimborne which boasts a fine house in Kingston Lacy, many pubs and an unspoilt collection of centuries old shops, houses and a minster. Return to Burley for the last night of the tour along an upland track with a final view of this outstanding landscape.
26 or 35 miles (42 or 56 km)
-
9. Day nine
Depart Burley
Return your bikes to our base and depart at leisure.
Luxury
-
1. Day one
Burley
Arrive in Burley on Wednesday and check into your hotel in this typical forest village. At a time to suit you make your way to our base a few minutes walk away, which is open from 09.00 to 17.30, to pick up your cycling equipment. Your host will also meet you to run through your itinerary and to familiarise you with the route.
-
2. Day two
Burley to Brockenhurst
Today you will see the best of the New Forest on this wonderful route of off-road gravel tracks giving you a great opportunity to see deer, ponies and pigs as they roam freely in their natural setting. Wonder at ancient and majestic trees and absorb the peace and tranquillity as you ride deep into the forest and into the heart of forest enclosures. Snatch a glimpse of civilisation in the village of Lyndhurst and enjoy an overnight stay in the forest village of Brockenhurst.
19 miles (31 km)
-
3. Day three
Brockenhurst to Lymington
The scene changes gradually from forest to open country as you ride to the pretty Beaulieu river where you will discover the charming village of Beaulieu. Housed here is the not to be missed National Motor Museum and a notable house and garden. If that were not enough, the estate also includes the picturesque hamlet of Bucklers Hard running down to the river, where many famous naval vessels were built. From here it’s a gentle wander to Lymington – a historic maritime town where you will spend the next two nights. Once a busy port rife with smugglers and now a bustling centre with yacht marinas, fishing boats and a ferry, there’s plenty to unearth here.
20 miles (32 km)
-
4. Day four
Lymington to the Isle of Wight and back
Hop aboard the ferry for the half hour trip to the Isle of Wight and discover a different scene today. Landing at Yarmouth with its working pier and tidemill, you could linger for much of the day here. There is a delightful ride on a former railway track heading to the south coast of the island at Freshwater for those wanting to explore the island further and a ride inland to a vineyard with plenty of ferries to return you back to Lymington for your second night there. Not known as gentle cycling territory, we have tailored the ride so your holiday will not be spoilt!
Optional 10 or 18 miles (16 or 29 km)
-
5. Day five
Lymington to Mudeford
Some of the route today follows an old railway line as you pedal along embankments and steam through bridge holes. There are fresh forest tracks to discover and we hope some wonderful encounters with wildlife. You reach the coast along leafy lanes to find Mudeford, a delightful fishing village. It also has a sandy beach and is the ideal place for coastal walks, fishing and boating. Your hotel nestles at the water's edge.
20 miles (32 km)
-
6. Day six
Mudeford to Wareham
It’s fantastic seaside riding today which includes two ferry hops, two piers, cliff top and beachside cycling and unspoilt National Trust beaches, woodland and heath. There is a short ride through the valley gardens which run through the heart of Bournemouth before you take the chain ferry to the Isle of Purbeck. Blessed with glorious unspoilt beaches, this tucked away corner of Dorset – not an island proper, is famous for its stunning coastline and steep ridge of hills. Your ride wonderfully skirts the hills on an off-road route through pretty woodland and leads you to the heart of Wareham where you will spend the next two nights. Your hotel, a lovely old priory, sits at the riverside.
24 miles (38 km)
-
7. Day seven
Circular ride from Wareham
Wareham is a small and charming market town that sits on the River Frome with over 200 listed buildings. For those wanting a day without pedalling, there are boats to hire from the quay for an easy spin down river to Poole harbour and back. Horse riding is available and there are steam train rides to Corfe Castle and Swanage. Those craving more beach time can pedal to the idyllic Studland beaches. To explore deepest Dorset, there is a wonderfully rural ride which follows two pretty river valleys dotted with fords, hamlets and forests and includes a Tank Museum and Lawrence of Arabia’s Dorset retreat.
Optional 23 miles (37 km)
-
8. Day eight
Wareham to Burley
Start the day with a very short train hop before pedalling traffic free along a disused railway line for much of the ride. Cross rivers and heaths, sprint through forests, and enjoy the villages enroute of this woodland area. You will ride through the market town of Wimborne which boasts a fine house in Kingston Lacy, many pubs and an unspoilt collection of centuries old shops, houses and a minster. Return to Burley for the last night of the tour along an upland track with a final view of this outstanding landscape.
26 or 35 miles (42 or 56 km)
-
9. Day nine
Depart Burley
Return your bikes to our base and depart at leisure.