Pedal power: cycling holidays with C&C
Traversing picturesque countryside, stopping off for spontaneous picnics, and discovering hidden trails off the beaten track – surely one of the finest ways to discover our beautiful regions is by bike.
To make your cycling holiday hassle-free, we're delighted to announce that our guests in the Scottish Borders, East Lothian, and the north of Northumberland can now have bikes delivered directly to your holiday cottage and collected once you're finished with them. We've partnered with carefully selected bike hire companies to provide you with everything you'll need, from nippy electric bikes to off-road fatbikes, along with helmets, panniers, and detailed maps of nearby routes, so you can relax and enjoy your adventures in the saddle.
Read on to get inspired by 5 of our favourite cycling routes in these glorious regions. To enquire about booking a C&C cycling holiday, please contact our friendly team at experiences@crabtreeancrabtree.com.
Northumberland
Wooler-Belford-Bamburgh
This sensational four-hour circular route leads from the pretty market town of Wooler, known as the 'Gateway to the Cheviots' to Bamburgh, Britain’s favourite seaside village and back again. A challenging climb to the top of Bowden Doors sandstone crag is rewarded with exceptional panoramas of the Cheviots, and an exhilarating descent into Belford with breathtaking views of Bamburgh Castle and across to Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle.
STAY: Located just five miles from Wooler, The Smithy at West Lyham is the perfect bolthole for two with sleek interior design and blissful country views. Also along this circular route, the oh-so-stylish Gardener's Cottage, Twizell Estate is an idyllic base for your adventures, while the chic East Lodge, Home Farm boasts its own hot tub and sauna – perfect for soothing tired muscles after a long day in the saddle.
College Valley-Yetholm-Bowmont Valley
A glorious cycle loop meandering through the wild, rugged and biodiverse Cheviot Hills across untouched Border country – one of the most blissfully isolated spots in the UK, where only twelve vehicle permits are issued each day. While most cyclists start and finish this tranquil four-hour ride from Wooler, our guests have the advantage of being able to stay in a choice of idyllic rural holiday homes dotted along some of the wildest reaches of the route.
STAY: In Yetholm, Pennine Way Cottage is a cosy hideaway for two plus three dogs, commanding fantastic views across the Cheviots. Housedon Haugh at Reedsford is an elegantly refurbished country house on the bend of the Bowmont Water, with an additional five smaller cottages nearby which can be rented separately for groups of all sizes – perfect for a cycling get-together of multiple friends and families. Eight miles from Wooler, Kilham Cottage sits in a tiny hamlet surrounded by mile-upon-mile of sweeping valleys and heather-strewn hilltops.
Scottish Borders
The 4 Abbeys Cycle Route
For those with a passion for history looking for a full days’ cycling, The 4 Abbeys circular route can’t be beaten and encompasses the essence of historic Border country. This scenic route, following picturesque quiet country roads, with a couple of rewarding short climbs, links the four main abbeys at Melrose, Drybrugh, Kelso and Jedburgh over 56 miles and is typically tackled clockwise.
STAY: Begin your journey at one of the stops along the route with a stay at Cloister House, nestled beside the ruined walls of Melrose Abbey and originally built for the minister of Melrose Church. Just beyond Jedburgh Abbey, Crailing Cottage is a delightful Regency escape set in the grounds of a pretty Borders estate. Perched on the banks of the River Teviot, between the stops at Kelso Abbey and Jedburgh Abbey, Heiton Mill House is a stunning 18th century converted watermill in a secluded setting.
The Borderloop
For ambitious cyclists, The Borderloop is a 250-mile waymarked route around the Scottish Borders. Stretching from Broughton in the west to Eyemouth on the Berwickshire coast, it takes in the region's most picturesque scenery, historic sites, and charming villages. The route can be broken up with shortcuts if needed, with the full circuit taking at least two days to complete.
STAY: Situated just three miles south of the most westerly point of The Borderloop, Mossfennan House & Annexe is a splendid Georgian pile surrounded by verdant grounds with brilliant mountain biking nearby in Glentress Forest. The Old School, Hume is another escape lying right on the route, set on the flanks of Hume Castle hill. On the coastal tip of the circuit, one of our six sleek apartments at Coldingham Bay would make the perfect final stop on your journey, celebrating with a glass of fizz as the suns sets over the waves.
East Lothian
The John Muir Way: North Berwick-Dunbar
Stretching 27 miles along the easternmost section of The John Muir Way which travels from coast to coast of Scotland, this loop passes the Scottish Seabird Centre and numerous stunning beaches before reaching Dunbar. Heading south from North Berwick, you'll also climb up North Berwick Law, a dramatic viewpoint where you can spot Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, the ruined Tantallon Castle and the iconic Bass Rock.
STAY: In North Berwick, East Bay Beach House enjoys dream sea views as far as the eye can see and is perfect for summer gatherings. Further inland, Papple Farmhouse is a luxuriously appointed farmhouse with oodles of space both inside and out. Should you wish to head further down the coast, The Treehouse near Dunbar is a romantic spot to take in sea views from a bubbling hot tub.
Glentress Forest cycling image credit: Visit Scotland / Ian Rutherford