Bike routes and cycle hire in Wells-next-the-Sea
Perhaps the ideal way to discover the local area, cycling lets you to cover more ground in a day than walking, and gives you the freedom to take things at your own pace. Families and less experienced riders can enjoy easy routes within Holkham Park, while more advanced cyclists can explore the National Route & Norfolk Coast Cycleway.
Cycling in North Norfolk
The Norfolk Coast Cycleway follows and extends part of the National Cycle Network. The national network covers over 16,500 miles across the UK and is used by nearly 4.5 million people a year. Further information on the national network can be found on the Sustrans website.
The Norfolk Coast Cycleway runs from King’s Lynn to Harwich, comprising sections of National Route 1 and Regional Route 30, plus ten additional Explorer Loops. The map above shows Route 1 as it runs to the south of Holkham Estate from Burnham Market to Wighton, and the Wells and Holkham Circuit that loops up to the coast and back through the town centre.
At Wighton, Route 1 continues to the south through Walsingham and onwards to Fakenham and beyond, while Regional Route 30 commences, running eastwards towards Cromer and Great Yarmouth.
The Norfolk Coast Partnership provides guide maps for the ten additional Explorer Loops and Explore More off-road routes. These extend the National Cycle Network through the North Norfolk countryside and cover the entire region from Ringstead in the west to Caister in the east.
A printed Norfolk Coast Cycleway guide can be purchased online.
Norfolk Council provides an interactive Norfolk Trails map detailing all of the county’s cycling and walking routes.
Cycling in Wells-next-the-Sea
The two main routes of most interest to Wells visitors are the Wells & Holkham Circuit, which forms part of Route 1 of the National Cycle Network, and the Wells & Walsingham Loop, one of the ten Norfolk Coast Cycleway Explorer Loops.
Both routes are available to download:
- Wells & Holkham Circuit Route Map (12 miles)
- Wells & Walsingham Loop (40 miles)
Starting in the town centre and travelling anti-clockwise, the Wells & Holkham Circuit runs north along Beach Road, joining the Norfolk Coast Path behind the pinewoods. It then turns inland, along a private road and into Holkham Park. From there it passes the Deer Park and Holkham Hall, before joining a public road leading across the B1105 and back to Wells.
The Wells & Walsingham Loop runs from North Creake in the west to Langham in the east, visiting Wighton, Little Walsingham, Stiffkey and Thursford. It can be split into smaller more manageable loops if the entire 40 miles is too much for one day’s cycling.
Cycling at Holkham
The Norfolk Coast Cycleway was designed to avoid the busy coast road, but there’s another option for casual and less experienced riders that avoids main roads entirely. Holkham Estate offers cycle hire and a number of shorter routes through the park and grounds.
Full size adult bikes, various sized child’s bikes, balance bikes, tag cycles, trailers and child seats are all available. Electric bike hire is available to 14 years old and over.
Choose to hire for just two hours, half day or whole day. The hire centre is situated next to the Holkham car park.
The park circuits range from just 2 miles up to 6 miles and are well signposted.
You are free to take cycles hired from Holkham outside the estate grounds if you wish to explore more of the local area.
Cycle Hire in Wells
Bike hire is available from Wells, Wighton and Holkham. All offer adult and child size bikes, free route maps and can provide advice and ideas to get you on your way.
Wells Bike Hire
7 Southgate Cl, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1HG
07920 016405 or 07766 258064
info@wellsbikehire.co.uk
www.wellsbikehire.co.uk
Cockle Bay E-Bike Hire
07958 327622 or 07913 187251
info@ebikehirenorfolk.com
ebikehirenorfolk.com
On Yer Bike
The Laurels, Nutwood Farm, Binham Road, Wighton, Norfolk NR23 1NX
07584 308120
norfolkcyclehire@gmail.com
www.norfolkcyclehire.co.uk
Delivery and collection is available for an additional charge.
Holkham Cycling
Holkham Hall, Holkham Estate, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1AB
01328 713071 or 01328 713111
www.holkham.co.uk/visiting/cycle-hire
