South Downs, England

You don’t have to leave home to enjoy an incredible week’s cycling complete with breathtaking views and heaps of wildlife. Spanning 100 miles between England’s first ever capital city, Winchester, to the white chalk cliffs of Eastbourne on the south coast; the South Downs Way is one of the most treasured cycling routes in the UK.

The 100 mile route is easily split into shorter more manageable sections with several cosy B&Bs located in the pretty little villages along the site. On the National Trails website you will find a distance calculator and an interactive map to help you plan each day’s cycling and accommodation.

This is an ideal route for families that enjoy mountain biking who will get to appreciate the elevated riding position that affords unparalleled view across the country, out to sea and across to the Isle of Wight.

Passing five different National Nature Reserves, the South Downs Way is completely within the South Downs National Park and is entirely off-road. You can choose to plan your own trip using the tools provided by National Trails, or select a self-guided cycling package from Meon Valley Cycle Hire to have all of the planning done for you.

Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Take your family over to Ireland for a few days of beautiful cycling around the Dingle Peninsula. Located in the south west of the Republic of Ireland, this little peninsula attracts hundreds of cyclists to its rocky coastal paths due to the incredible panoramas that it boasts.

One for slightly more experienced child cyclists, there are a few dramatic mountain climbs to look out for but cyclists can enjoy plenty of seemingly endless flat valleys to pedal through too.

Passing by many sites of ancient archeological ruins en route, there are plenty of pretty picnic stops along the way as well as a sheer abundance of photo opportunities.

For those flying over to Ireland, there are several bike rental stores scattered around the peninsula with a few, such as The Mountain Man Outdoor Shop, offering cycle tours as well as bike hire for adults and children complete with child seats for the little ones.