A weekend exploring this beautiful corner of East Somerset. Staying in the vibrant and historic town of Frome, you’ll find many artisan shops, eateries and entertainment. It’s also only a short ride out to the glorious countryside. Cycling along quiet country lanes and converted railway lines, you’ll see the prettiest villages, sites and stop offs that this area has to offer. A perfect combination of town and country.
Distances: 26 miles Saturday & 24 miles Sunday.
Terrain: Some countryside hills.
Path/Road: Quiet country roads and off road cycle paths. Suitable for all bikes.
Physical difficulty: Moderate Saturday, Moderate Sunday. Cycling at a medium pace for 3 hours Saturday & 3 hours Sunday. Everyone will be assisted but you must be competent on a bike.
Duration: Friday night to Sunday evening.
Accommodation:
Staying in a hotel on the High Street, in the middle of the action.
Cost:
Hotel : £190pp, staying in a twin room (£50 single supplement).
Itinerary:
Friday:
Check in to the hotel and head to a nearby pub for meet, greet and a socialise.
Saturday:
Saddle up and wind your way through the medieval streets of Frome.
Leaving the town along the ‘Collier’s Way’ (a converted railway), you’ll arrive at the town of Radstock. This was once a centre of coalfield life, and the local museum tells this rich history.
The next stop is for elevenses. A cafe in an idyllic setting, within a 17th century Manor farm and overlooking a church.
Refreshed, it’s back on the bikes to visit the peculiar landmark of Kilmersdon hill. This hill was the inspiration for the nursery rhyme ‘Jack and Jill’, and we may even have a careful walk up it!
Continuing to the stunning village of Mells, it’s a tough choice where to have lunch, but the cafe inside the Walled Garden won it for me. Wood fired pizza, or perhaps a teatime treat, take your choice.
Finishing with a final run into Frome, you may even get back in time for some shopping.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Drinks out in Frome or free time.
Sunday:
Heading South, our destination is Longleat House. Cycle routes take you through the grounds, right next to the House, but luckily avoiding the animal enclosures. Be careful of any wrong turns though.
Next is an elevenses stop at a pub on the edge of Longleat estate. Described as ‘quintessentially British with a quirky country twist’. Why don’t you decide.
Back on the bikes we’ll tour through several villages, until hunger strikes again. We’ll sample more of the local gastronomic offerings.
As we head back to Frome, back through the Longleat estate again, we’ll finish the weekend with a ride alongside the river from where the town got its name.
Bike hire:
We can arrange for the weekend –
£30 for a standard bike.
Included:
2 nights accommodation.
2 breakfasts.
2 days fully guided cycling.
Basic tool kit carried to undertake minor repairs.
Accident insurance cover.
Trained first aider.
