Holiday Highlights
- Coastal cycling, beach houses and British seaside sights
- Majestic manor houses and villages full of character and charm
- Varied terrain from rolling country lanes to wooded ways
- Tales of Boudicca and rebellions
- Delightful Diss and stunning Holkham Hall
- Miles of gentle pedalling through the Norfolk Broads
- Posing with Captain Mainwaring in Thetford
Love the combination of coastal and rural riding all melded together with superb sites each and every day and the most amazing country houses imaginable
Itinerary
We begin our Rebellion Way in Norwich. With excellent rail connections, Norwich makes for a great starting point and we will arrange to pick you up from the station if you choose to travel by train. For those arriving by car, we can provide info on parking if required.
Norwich is a fascinating, historic city, and those choosing to arrive early will have time to visit some of the sights. As well as being the most complete medieval city in the UK there’s a good balance of the modern too and the city centre is quite compact and very pleasant to explore on foot. Our accommodation tonight is in Norwich itself, with the evening meal taken at a nearby restaurant or pub.
During the evening as we meet the rest of the group we’ll be on hand to answer any questions you may have and provide a general overview of the next few days of cycling.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 515 Metres Approx.
Today’s ride is a great introduction on what to expect over the next few days both in terms of terrain and scenery. After winding our way out of Norwich, within just a few miles we’ll soon be in rural Norfolk and embracing its beauty. This meandering route glides us through small villages, dotted with thatched or half-timbered houses. Impressive churches and bold manor houses add to the mix on a ride that takes in beautiful back lanes and trackways. It’s an area brimming with historic sites from the Iron Age to the Romano-British period with the church at Caistor St. Edmund particularly impressive.
Diss is delightful and we’ve lunch scheduled here with some time set aside to have a wander around its narrow streets. From here we skirt into Suffolk before some lovely sections through open pastures that link our lanes.
Our day ends in historic Thetford after our first taste of its famous forest and its fun, well-surfaced tracks.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 630 Metres Approx.
A little more remote than yesterday, our day today starts with some wooded trails, taking in Grimes Graves and Lynford Arboretum as we edge our way through Thetford Forest. Oxborough with its beautiful manor house marks the end of our forest foray.
Our ride now takes in the open fields of the Brecklands and pops out at the Georgian town of Swaffham. Here it’s time for a well-deserved coffee before continuing though the Nar Valley to the wonderful Castle Acre. We’ll have lunch here and for those interested we can take a quick visit to see its impressive priory.
A few pedal strokes on the Peddars Way follow before flint farmhouses and windmills guide us to Bawsey Country Park and its lagoons. Soon after we navigate our way along a series of Kings Lynn’s mazy cyclepaths in order to reach its historic riverfront where we end today’s ride.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 530 Metres Approx.
A day of deserted backroads and very minimal off-road riding taking in the distinctive rolling landscapes of north Norfolk. With the local cycle paths leading us out of King’s Lynn before we know it, we’ll be at the royal holiday home of Sandringham where the Queen regularly spent Christmas. After a short peek at the grounds and the house we head north via the Admirals Way. This section is more undulating (in a Norfolk way) especially around Dersingham and Ingoldsthorpe and you might even have to look for an extra gear or two.
Hunstanton is next and with its colourful beach huts and garish noisy amusements it couldn’t be more of a traditional English seaside town. In stark contrast a short distance away is the beautiful village of Burnham Market. With its posh coffee shops, eateries and boutique shops it’s the perfect place to wander around and where we’ll take lunch. Our afternoon treat is the sumptuous Holkham Hall. Set in wonderful grounds it’s a real highlight of the day, if not the whole route. Following a spot of easy off road at Holkam Pines Nature Reserve we arrive at the lovely Wells-next-the-Sea where we end the day.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 475 Metres Approx.
Our first point of interest today is Norfolk’s Nazareth – Little Walshingham. This quirky village is a place of pilgrimage and is bursting with religious icons, sites and significance. It’s a compact place so a ride around the village won’t take us long, and for those interested a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Walshingham is a must. Feeling suitably blessed we continue eastwards through Great and Little Snoring, past Gunthorpe Park and Bullfer Grove and Bayfield Brecks to pop out at Holt. It’s a small place and with a few lovely places for a late-morning flat white it would be rude not to indulge.
Post caffeine-hit, the medieval village of Baconsthorpe is soon ticked off before an obligatory photo op at Sheringham Hall. From here it’s just a few miles to Sheringham itself. Hanging on to its traditional seaside-ness it’s a fun place to hang-out for the evening and is where we’ll end the ride today.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 560 Metres Approx.
Without doubt today offers up the most diverse section of the Rebellion Way and one that promises to be a great day on the bike. We start the day with some great coastal riding up onto Beeston Regis Common before passing by the lovely Felbrigg Hall and the oh so English Aldborough.
Next on the hit-list is Aylsham where we join the Bure Valley Path. This well-packed singletrack route runs alongside the Bure Valley Railway between Aylsham and Wroxham and is a fun way to take in a few miles. We might even be lucky enough to have a steam train for company!
In complete contrast to the previous few miles our route from here on in takes in the Norfolk Broads. These waterways are popular with holidaymakers and locals alike but we’ll be skirting the busier areas and taking in Wroxham and Hoveton Great Broads to the viking-named Woodbastwick. This pretty village even has its own brewery so even if you aren’t quite ready to sample its wares, they do export to Norwich!
Edging closer to our end point we take in Ranworth, before rolling into Norwich.
Congratulations! You’ve ridden the Rebellion Way. Now time to celebrate your achievements!
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
Following breakfast it’s time to depart. For those travelling by train we offer transportation to the nearby train station. For those extending their stay, Norwich makes for a great place to explore.
Understanding Profiles
Use these profiles to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)
Click 'see gradient' to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- % Gradient (vertical axis)
Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.
White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain. Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, will give you a full picture of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be. Please keep in mind this is an indicative guide and GPS units and software produce different statistical information.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
Norfolk isn’t totally flat and whilst the route never climbs above 100m you will enjoy some gradual ups and downs. The route is pre-dominantly on road (around 80% of the time) but does involve some stretches on off-road surfaces that tend to ride well in most conditions. These are non-technical but can become slippy and/or sticky if it has been raining.
The non-technical, rolling nature of the route makes it perfect for a hybrid bike. Also suitable are gravel or touring bikes with appropriate tyres. Whilst it would be ok to bring a mountain bike along we recommend front suspension models with tyres with some tread rather than semi-slick tyres. Please contact us if you are unsure that your bike is suitable.
If you are looking for the boost of an e-bike to help cover the distances on this holiday, we have electric bikes available to hire. You will need to be comfortable handling the bike on loose surfaces and manoeuvring the bike at the occasional gate. For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here.
The Rebellion Way uses one of Cycling UK’s seven long distance routes. Cycling UK is a charity organisation that campaigns for a cleaner, happier and healthier world. Their aim is to encourage people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to cycle safely, easily, and enjoyably throughout the UK. Public campaigns and route development are just a few of the ways that Cycling UK looks to support cyclists across the country.
When you book on this holiday, you’ll have an option to donate to Cycling UK to support the charity’s work, including the upkeep of this route and others like it. Skedaddle will also be making a 5p donation for every mile ridden on this holiday for each of our customers.
Leisure Cycling Grade
Distances generally between 20-45 miles / 32-72 kms per day
For the leisure cyclist with a good level of physical fitness
May include some steeper, cheeky climbs and possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Although you may not cycle everyday, you do keep yourself relatively fit and maybe enjoy an afternoon out on your bike at the weekend. Your preference is perhaps for flatter terrain but you don’t mind tackling some hills, and the occasional steep climb if you can take it at your own pace. For those happy to tackle some ups and downs, and possibly some sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc) we’d recommend our grade 3 trips. We’d generally expect those on a Grade 3 holiday to have a decent level of physical fitness and be comfortable with some longer days in the saddle.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Dates & Prices
Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a £300 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.
Late Availability
We want you to know which holidays are coming up soon, so you don’t miss out! If a trip has this symbol beside it, it means you don’t have long to snap up your place.
SAVE ON 2025 EARLY SEASON ESCAPES! Book before 31 October 2024 to get £80 off your tour departing on 20/04/2025. Apply the promo code FYR2025 when you book. Your discount will be applied once your booking is confirmed.Whats Included
A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms)
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Full tour service, including Skedaddle guides
D) Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid
E) Support vehicle and luggage transfers
F) GPX files available on request
G) Train station transfer on scheduled arrival day from Norwich train station
H) Train station transfer on scheduled departure day to Norwich train station
I) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) Bike rental (available if required)
B) Meals not stated in the itinerary
C) Single room (available if required)
D) Travel insurance
E) Personal clothing and equipment
F) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc.)
G) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
H) Train station transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days
I) Airport collections / drop-off from / to Norwich Airport.
Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
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Reviews
Jane, UKLovely experienceWe had a really great time. Good group. Lovely experience. Francis was lovely throughout and we saw him go the extra mile to ensure we all had fun and were looked after. The experience of Richard and Francis was clear and they were always watching out for issues to sort before they occurred. Their enjoyment and confidence in running our trip was very evident.
Sue, UKVery enjoyable with a great variety of beautiful scenery...All five days of cycling were very enjoyable with a great variety of beautiful scenery (country lanes, forest, manicured estates, and coastal roads), a bit of interesting – but not challenging – off-road terrain (forest paths etc), and gentle rolling hills. My favourite was the fourth day – particularly varied scenery in fantastic sunshine. All three guides were excellent – very efficient, friendly and listened to and acted on our concerns.
Wendy, UKService provided - above and beyond!Tour leader was so polite and respected everyones challenges by offering support at any level, he performed without any show of impatience or display of discomfort in the extra task – quite the opposite. We were a very mixed bunch in ability and need and he was amazing. I haven’t done anything like this before, BUT it was of a very high standard – you pay for what you get.
Rosemary, UKI didn't know what to expect and really enjoyed itThe 3 guides were amazing – helpful, kind The booking service and information before the trip was also excellent. I didn’t know what to expect and really enjoyed it, although some others struggled with the off road, I liked the variety of the different tracks. I enjoyed cycling through Thetford forest (2nd day) and the 3rd day was shorter, so there was time to stop and look at places as we passed. Great leader.
Julia, UKService always felt personalisedService always felt personalised, professional and responsive. The accommodation was really good for this holiday. We weren’t so lucky with the weather on day 1 and day 2 of cycling. Day 3-5 of riding were much more pleasurable and took in some amazing villages, historical houses and churches. Choosing which of the last three days was my favourite is difficult as they were all great riding days, but cycling along the Burr Railway was a lovely section, with good terrain, reasonable shelter from the wind, wonderful smell from the rape flowers in the fields and bird song! Skedaddle isn’t a cheap cycle tour company – but I feel with the personalised service and high-quality leaders and guides – it’s worth it and am always recommending it to others!
Anonymous, UKThis is our 6th Skedaddle holiday, I am always recommending the holidays...This is our 6th Skedaddle holiday – first in Britain. I am always recommending the holidays. I love the guides who keep us on the route – means I do not have to worry about this – and there is a support vehicle if anyone finds the terrain difficult. I also love the various accommodation. It is an adventure. Both guides were excellent shuttling between the back and the front many times and herding us all up when we started to string out. They kept our moods positive and kept us watered and fed. Ever efficient when we stopped at the hotels and looked after my bike. Very entertaining in the evening. Mixed well among the whole group morning and evening.