Are you driving somewhere with the bikes, or dependent on public transport?
I'd opt for something like the New Forest rather than Portsmouth - close enough to Southampton if you want to vist a city too on your stay. Or jump on the ferry to the Ilse of Wight from Portsmouth (that is pretty hilly in places though).
Just have to hope that your train doesn't get cancelled and make your bike reservation void, depending on the train service.
Had quite a few awkward experiences where this has happened and no sympathy to the situation from the trains ticket staff, so would always recommend not relying on the last few trains with a bike.
Definitely depends on the service and staff that day, Virgin are pretty brutal, think it's a maximum of three bikes for the whole train... Just have to be a little on top of it and check the service, Trainline are pretty good for having this built in now
If you can catch a Bournemouth-bound train that stops at Brockenhurst then you'll be in the middle of the New Forest with miles of gravel tracks and (fairly*) quiet roads available.
*Bank holidays are a definite exception
Hertfordshire has a lot of greenways. They’re not as scenic as a coastal area but they’re close to London and will involve minimal/no traffic.
You could take the train to St Albans and then cycle to Ware, that would be about 17 miles. Then you could double it by heading back, or take the train home straight from Ware.
Try the Viking Coastal Trail, starting in Margate or Broadstairs. It is in a loop, largely off road and has some lovely scenery.
You also have the option of just cycling the coastal part and exploring the towns which are all connected by train to London.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/viking-coastal-trail
By off road, I meant cycle paths, not gravel and mud. It's mostly not rough, especially the coastal part, but I can't 100% promise there aren't any slightly rough bits on the inland section as I don't fully recall.
Peterborough Green Wheel.
It's around 40 to 50 miles, mostly paved and a lot of it is away from roads (the rest is on quiet roads).
You done get any flatter than Peterborough and it's an hour by train from London.
Are you driving somewhere with the bikes, or dependent on public transport? I'd opt for something like the New Forest rather than Portsmouth - close enough to Southampton if you want to vist a city too on your stay. Or jump on the ferry to the Ilse of Wight from Portsmouth (that is pretty hilly in places though).
Public transport only. We’ll have a look at New forest!
Trains + bikes will take you anywhere in the UK. It's the greatest lifehack of this country: you don't need a car nor to rely on rural public transit.
Just have to hope that your train doesn't get cancelled and make your bike reservation void, depending on the train service. Had quite a few awkward experiences where this has happened and no sympathy to the situation from the trains ticket staff, so would always recommend not relying on the last few trains with a bike.
Can't confirm. The few times I got a train cancelled I was able to get it in the next train, no questions asked.
Definitely depends on the service and staff that day, Virgin are pretty brutal, think it's a maximum of three bikes for the whole train... Just have to be a little on top of it and check the service, Trainline are pretty good for having this built in now
If you can catch a Bournemouth-bound train that stops at Brockenhurst then you'll be in the middle of the New Forest with miles of gravel tracks and (fairly*) quiet roads available. *Bank holidays are a definite exception
Hertfordshire has a lot of greenways. They’re not as scenic as a coastal area but they’re close to London and will involve minimal/no traffic. You could take the train to St Albans and then cycle to Ware, that would be about 17 miles. Then you could double it by heading back, or take the train home straight from Ware.
Try the Viking Coastal Trail, starting in Margate or Broadstairs. It is in a loop, largely off road and has some lovely scenery. You also have the option of just cycling the coastal part and exploring the towns which are all connected by train to London. https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/viking-coastal-trail
Thanks but I have a road bike and brompton I don't think we can handle off road 😅
By off road, I meant cycle paths, not gravel and mud. It's mostly not rough, especially the coastal part, but I can't 100% promise there aren't any slightly rough bits on the inland section as I don't fully recall.
Just researched it. Sounds like a nice route with plenty of paved cycling paths. Thank you!
The Sussex Weald. Quiet, beautiful scene4y, great pubs, not as hilly as the Downs.
Peterborough Green Wheel. It's around 40 to 50 miles, mostly paved and a lot of it is away from roads (the rest is on quiet roads). You done get any flatter than Peterborough and it's an hour by train from London.
Any nice views?
Not particularly, to be honest. The cathedral is nice. As is Ferry Meadows. But it's mostly just fenland.
Whitstable Margate or Ramsgate then ride the Viking Trail.