Bike Rides, Long Distance Routes - On- & Off-road Trails
Cycling in & around Wickham Market
Cycle to Wickham Market in Suffolk via National Cycle Route 1 /Regional Cycle Route 41 – the Suffolk Coastal Cycle Path, bring your bike on the train, or enjoy relaxed day rides out from the village, along almost traffic-free lanes. This is England’s Cycling Country, where the gentle terrain ensures that it’s the beautiful countryside and charming villages that take your breath away, rather than the pedal-pushing! No wonder Wickham Market has seen both the men and women’s Tour of Britain pass through the village in recent years!
Why not combine days in bike saddle with other ways of exploring the countryside too?
A world of Quiet Lanes
Wickham Market is one of a growing number of rural East Suffolk which has designated ‘Quiet Lanes’ within the village itself, not just in countryside around it. On these single track roads, all motorised road-users are advised via nationally recognised advisory signs to be considerate to cyclists, walkers, horse-riders, joggers and others.
You’ll find Wickham Market’s riverside campsite located on a designated ‘Quiet Lane’.
Find out more Stay this WayA pedal push away from the Suffolk Coastal Cycle Route
Wickham Market is just a little lane or two away from the waymarked Suffolk Coastal Cycle Regional Cycle Route 41 where it marries up with National Cycle Route 1.
A well signed round East Suffolk route is easily picked up at Dallinghoo near Wickham Market, leading south to Woodbridge and north to Framlingham. It also links with off-road forest cycle trails and paths at Tunstall and Rendlesham.
Wickham Market welcomes cyclists
Cafés with terraces serving home-cooked goodies, plus a welcoming community pub with outdoor seating, make Wickham Market an ideal stop off for cyclists looking to refresh and refuel in a relaxed and friendly setting. Need a quick coffee and cake to top up those energy levels? Sourcing a picnic for those panniers? It’s all here – and within sight of a bike rack too!
Look out for Wednesday and Saturday market stalls for fresh fruit and local bakes!
Places to Eat Places to StayExplore the Deben Valley by bike
Whether you head north-east towards the river source near Debenham, or snake south towards tidal stretches, estuary and coast, cycling near the River Deben counts amongst little lane bike rides at their best.
Why not put your toe in the water with day rides along the Suffolk Coastal Cycle Route?
Get on track in the forest
Check out the cycle trails in Rendlesham Forest or Tunstall Forest for fab for family bike ride adventures, gentle two-wheeled forays into the forest or more challenging off-roading expeditions to really get your teeth into. Choose from waymarked Tang Trail or Fido Trail in Rendlesham Forest (visitor facilities on site) or the Viking Trail in Tunstall Forest.
Both forest sites are easily accessible from Wickham Market and Campsea Ashe.
Spotlight on Castles & Villages Rides
via the waymarked Suffolk Coastal Cycle Route
Nothing beats a purposeful bike ride. And when you stay in, or set out from, Wickham Market you’re simply spoilt for choice. There are country pubs and a riverside beer garden on route to fantastic Framlingham Castle (and Ed Sheeran Country) or the iconic post mill at Saxtead Green. The world famous concert hall complex, Snape Maltings, on the River Alde is within easy reach too, but then the beach is never that far away! What’s not to like?
Framlingham Castle super circular ride from Wickham Market
Spin off along the waymarked N1 part of the Suffolk Coastal Cycle Route at Dallinghoo just outside Wickham Market to explore the upsy-downsy ‘Akenfield’ villages of Charsfield and Hoo, or head out to picturesque Easton and lost-in-time Letheringham to join the N1 just a little later. Beyond must-see market town Framlingham of castle fame, swing south via historic villages (N1 / N41) to Little Glemham, Blaxhall and Snape. Finally, leave the waymarked route to edge Tunstall Forest, returning to Wickham Market via Campsea Ashe. Total: + / – 30 miles/ 48 kms.
Attractions Villages
Cycle & discover… Henry II’s castle on the coast
To Snape and Orford in the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape
Pedal out on mainly minor roads from Wickham Market /Campsea Ashe via Sir Benjamin Britten’s much-loved Snape Maltings and the ancient riverside church at Iken, to Orford with its fine 12th century castle keep. View the mysterious Blaxhall ‘growing stone’ on route too and don’t miss the unrivalled gems in its church by the famous early 20th century stained glass artist and former resident, Margaret Rope.
Total: 24 mile/38.5kms there and back
Calling all bike-packers
Looking for that on-and-off road cycling experience with a bit of a challenge? Wickham Market is just a small detour off The East Wolf Way. Join the route at Ufford. Spin east (Rendlesham – Orford), then north via Snape, to the coast at Thorpeness (Aldeburgh) and up to Lowestoft. Curl back south (Halesworth – Framlingham), before dropping down to Ipswich and Felixstowe, before returning to Ufford (Wickham Market) via Woodbridge.
Total: 171 miles (274 kms) – Or split trail into north and south rides from Wickham Market.
Like the 248 mile (400 kms) round-the-county trail, The Wolf Way, The East Wolf trail uses bridleways, byways, gravel tracks, cycle paths and quiet back roads. Specific routings provided for summer or winter rides.
East Route Round-county Route
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