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Explore the Way of the Roses

Explore the fabulous Way of the Roses that stretches the width of England.

Dipping wheels in both the Irish Sea and the North Sea it crossing England from west to east through the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire Wolds.

  • Distance: 272 km (169 miles)

  • Total Climbing: 2,560m
  • Starting point: Morecambe

  • Finish point: Bridlington 

  • Difficulty Rating: *** (click here for more details)

Map Key

Highlights

Finishing point in Bridlington

Have some well deserved fish & chips once finished at Bridlington.

Brimham Rocks

This Site of Special Scientific Interest is home to an amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations formed 100s of millions of years ago. Explore them and experience the unique essence of this pre-historic landscape.

Burton Agnes Hall

This country house exudes charm and character and possesses a number of unusual features. It’s set in magnificent grounds, including a woodland walk, adventure playground, and walled garden containing thousands of species of plants.

Eric Morecambe statue

A great place to pose for a photo at the start of your journey, Eric Morecambe is one of the UK’s most legendary comedians and this fun and fitting tribute is set against the fabulous backdrop of Morecambe Bay and the Lake District.

Flamborough Headland Coast & Cliffs

Flamborough Head has one of the most important seabird colonies in Europe. In summer the cliffs are packed with tens of thousands of breeding auks, gannets, gulls and puffins, creating a memorable experience.

Photo Credit: James Walker

Fountains Abbey

Veiled in a secluded valley, this National Trust property promises to surprise and captivate with its vast Cistercian abbey ruins, Georgian water garden, a medieval deer park, Elizabethan Hall and Gothic church.

Ripon Cathedral

Ripon Cathedral has a history stretching back almost 14 centuries and is still welcoming visitors to this day meaning you’ll be able to wander this amazing building in all its glory.

Start of the route

Stump Cross Caverns

Hundreds of millions of years in the making, these underground limestone caverns house a vast network of caves and stalactites. It’s a truly unique and otherworldly place to visit.

The Shambles

With its overhanging timber-framed houses and traditional shopfronts, The Shambles in York is one of England’s most historic and picturesque streets. Walking along it is like stepping back into the middle ages.

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Up hill and down dale, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is home to some of Yorkshire's most iconic scenery and attractions. With spectacular limestone valleys, picture postcard villages and historic castles, it's a place that stirs the emotions and stimulates the senses of everyone that visits.

York Minster

This impressive 13th-century Gothic cathedral dominates York’s historic skyline. It took 250 years to build and is now widely considered one of Europe’s finest medieval buildings.

Suggested Itinerary

This classic route stretches the entire breadth of England, allowing you to dip your wheels in both the Irish and North Seas as you cross the country from west to east, through some of the most scenic and notable places in northern England.

It’s a tour of constantly changing landscapes, fantastic views and fascinating places, and is done so on traffic-free paths, cycle lanes and quiet country roads.

You’ll get going in the popular seaside resort of Morecambe and pass through historic Lancaster and the stunning Forest of Bowland before swapping the red rose county of Lancashire for its white rose neighbour, Yorkshire.

You’ll travel through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale, winding your way through this challenging yet spectacular terrain on roads flanked by countless kilometres of drystone walls, passing quaint towns and villages along the way.

The flatlands of the Vale of York will then offer some welcome relief and allow you to explore the city’s wealth of historic attractions before you continue onwards, traversing the rolling Yorkshire Wolds before reaching your destination in the bustling coastal town of Bridlington.

Book This Holiday

To book a leisure holiday doing the Way of the Roses coast to coast, select the links below to find a tour that suits your needs best

Yorkshire | Way of the Roses Coast to Coast

Yorkshire
Avg. 45km per day
6 days
Guided or self-guided
Luggage transfers
Bike Hire & E-bike hire available
Emergency backup
From
£635 p.p.
Yorkshire
Avg. 45km per day
6 days, 5 nights
Self-guided
Luggage transfers
Meet & Greet
Bike Hire & E-bike Hire Available
From
£585 p.p
Northumberland
69-105km per day
2-4 days
Guided Holiday
Luggage transfers
Emergency Recovery
Bike hire & E-bike hire available
From
£395 p.p.
Yorkshire
54-136km per day
2-5 days
Self-guided
Luggage transfers
Meet & greet
Bike Hire & E-bike Options Available
From
£275 p.p
Yorkshire
Avg. 54-132km per day
2-5 days
Self-guided
Luggage transfers
From
£275 p.p

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