5 Cheapest UK Cycling Holidays For The Budget-Savvy

• Package cycling holidays can cost £100s per person
• By doing your research, mini-breaks can be done on a budget
• Latest Deals reveals the best bargain cycling holidays across the UK
• Tips include the cheapest ways to travel and budget-friendly meals

As the warmer months begin to roll in, many of us will be dusting off our bikes from their hibernation in the garage or shed and heading out on the trails. With the Easter holiday and summer season coming up, it’s a great time to think about taking our cycles on a mini-break - but how can you do so without breaking the bank?

Tom Church, Co-Founder of money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk, said: ‘It’s easy to be put off cycling holidays when you research packages online. I’ve found self-guided vacations priced at as much as £550 per person! When you consider the number of fantastic cycle routes across the UK, it just takes a little research to pair them with budget travel, well-priced accommodation and cheap eats. Here are my 5 top picks.’

The Lakeland Loop, Lake District

Location: Broughton-In-Furness, England

Duration: 2:41:55

Distance: 65.18km

Elevation gain: 1,393m

Ride type: Road

Cheapest transport: Car

Cheapest accommodation: The Black **** Inn

Cheapest meal out: The Square Cafe

The Lakeland Loop route isn’t for beginners, but those who are ready to take it on will see some of the UK’s best countryside. It starts just off Wreaks Causeway, taking you down a beautifully scenic road surrounded by rolling green fields. There’s a pleasant woodland descent, but don’t relax just yet as you’ll soon be in for a 12.2% gradient climb. What’s more, it goes up to a whopping 30%, so drop that gear down ahead of the summit. Your hard work will pay off, as you’re in for some stunning views along this challenging 65km circuit.

The cheapest hotel you’ll find nearby is The Black **** Inn, which is just 30 minutes’ walk from the starting location. Its average price per night is £47, and you can walk over to The Square Cafe in the morning for a £2.60 egg bun before you set off. As for getting there, the train from London to Foxfield station would be around £90 with three changes, whereas taking the car would incur an average petrol price of around £40. You could get a Megabus to Lancaster from London for £18, then a direct train to Foxfield for just under £16, but you’re looking at over 8 hours travel time and only a marginal price difference compared with driving it.

Assynt Achiltibuie Circuit, Scotland

Location: Achiltibuie, Scotland

Duration: 5:02:37

Distance: 121.83km

Elevation gain: 2,079m

Ride type: Road

Cheapest transport: Plane

Cheapest accommodation: Airbnb

Cheapest meal out: Tesco

If you’re looking for a truly remote break, venture into Scotland to have some time alone with nature on the intensive Assynt Achiltibuie trail which will push you like never before. With hard work comes reward - you’ll be able to look out at awe-inspiring mountains such as Cùl Mòr and Stac Pollaidh before taking in a sea view, going on a coastal cruise and fitting in some rolling hills. You’ll also be able to check out Ardvreck Castle, Loch Assynt and other such landmarks.

For the cheapest accommodation, your best bet is to travel 23 miles south to the Ullapool coast where you will find reasonably priced options on Airbnb. For example, we found a private room for rent at a rate of £50 per night. As for transport, going by car from London would take just under 11 hours and cost you £90 in fuel. Your best bet is going by plane - using Google Flights, you can find options between £30 and £40 if you pick your dates wisely. From there, we recommend a hire car to get you between the airport, hotel and your cycle route. There aren’t too many options for dining out on a budget - but there’s nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned sandwich from the Tesco Superstore in Ullapool.

Elan Valley, Wales

Location: Rhayader, Wales

Duration: 1:12:41

Distance: 29.26km

Elevation gain: 239m

Ride type: MTB

Cheapest transport: Car

Cheapest accommodation: The Crown Inn

Cheapest meal out: Lamb and Flag Inn-Bar-Grill

One for the mountain biking fans, this route is a well-kept secret in the Welsh countryside. The Elan Valley trail takes you through a variety of landmarks, from the Garreg Ddu Reservoir to the Craig Goch Dam. Animal enthusiasts will be able to check out the Wildlife Trust Reserve and see how many bat species they can spot. This location is ideal for all levels of biking ability, and there are seven different mountain bike routes to choose from besides this winding trail which takes you on a truly picturesque journey.

To get there, the train will involve 1 or 2 changes from London and cost around £55. You’ll be saving money by driving there, as the 4 hour journey will cost roughly £28 in petrol. There are a number of well-priced hotels in the village of Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr, such as The Crown Inn for £51 a night. In terms of food, the nearby Lamb and Flag Inn-Bar-Grill offers a number of options, from £7 pizza to £6 jacket potatoes with a range of fillings.

Box Hill Olympic Circuit, Surrey

Location: Westhumble, England

Duration: 41:46

Distance: 16.81km

Elevation gain: 266m

Ride type: Road

Cheapest transport: Car

Cheapest accommodation: Travelodge Dorking

Cheapest meal out: Dorking High Street

The moderate to difficult Box Hill circuit in Surrey is ideal for those who want an escape from the bustle of London with a quick circular route. It’s been used by cyclists since the 1880s, and was also used in the London 2012 Olympics as part of the road race cycling event. You will feel the burn during the humble gradient of 4.9% as you zig zag to the summit before being rewarded with stunning panoramic views.

Londoners who are making an afternoon of it will be able to get there in an hour on a direct train from Victoria for just £12, or if you’re driving from the city you’re only looking at a couple of pounds in petrol cost. If you’ve come from further afield and want to stay overnight, your cheapest bet is Travelodge Dorking at £47 a night. As for food, head over to Dorking High Street and take your pick of the restaurants.

The Camel Trail, Cornwall

Location: Padstow, England

Duration: 47:32

Distance: 19.13km

Elevation gain: 68m

Ride type: Road

Cheapest transport: Megabus

Cheapest accommodation: Ruthern Valley Holidays

Cheapest meal out: Stein’s Fish & Chips

For a relaxing ride along the Cornish coast, check out the largely traffic-free Camel Trail which spans from Padstow to Bodmin. Enjoy endless woodland as you navigate down simple paths surrounded by greenery. Ideal for beginners, you can stop after the estuary path at Wadebridge or follow the entire trail south to see some of the best scenery Cornwall has to offer. Interestingly, this route spans the length of a railway line which is now out of use.

Your best bet for accommodation is located in Bodmin, where you can go glamping in one of the wigwams with Ruthern Valley Holidays for an average of £48 a night. A train from London to Bodmin will involve a change or two and cost you around £70, whereas if you take the 4.5 hour drive you will only pay around £40 in petrol. That said, an even cheaper option is Megabus, as you can get a direct trip from London Victoria to Bodmin for just £16. Bear in mind that you’ll be sitting on the bus for 7 hours! As for food, you’ll find well-priced options in Stein’s Fish & Chips, Padstow - a chip butty is just £3.50.

Save More With These Discount Codes

• Heaven Skincare Promo Codes
• Simple Lighting Voucher Codes
• Fuel10k Discount Codes

• Best Student Job Websites: How to Find a Job as a Student
• Best networks for roaming: How to get cheap data roaming abroad
• Best Green Energy Suppliers