The Boudicca Adventure May 5th - 9th

200 beautiful miles in 4 days across unspoilt Norfolk & Suffolk

The Boudicca Adventure Challenge (BC) is a 4 day/200 mile cycle experience visiting many of the best parts of Norfolk and Suffolk.  It circles the majority of the territory inhabited by the Iceni Tribe in AD 43 by using the quiet lanes and byways of the National Cycle Network to explore the wonderful Norfolk Coast and the beautiful countryside of Suffolk. The Boudicca Challenge is definitely not a race ! – It’s probably best described as a moderately challenging ride for average ability cyclists - you should be happy to be on bike for up to 5 hours a day.  Although you will all meet up at the same hotel each evening we don’t expect all the group to cycle together - everyone has their own cruising speed and places they may want to visit. During the entire trip you will have friendly back-up support from UK Cycle Holidays, Phil and Martin  will always be nearby with our Land Rover breakdown vehicle.  (This carries spare bikes, parts and equipment and can even collect cyclists if absolutely necessary !!)    

Arrival Night  - Saturday May 5th.

The starting point for the BC is the pleasant market town of Diss on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Diss has a wealth of historic buildings and the famous Bressingham Garden and Steam Museum is only 2 miles to the West. Your accommodation will be in a 3 Star local hotel, or equivalent, and our package includes a full english breakfast every morning. (Lunchtime snacks and evening meals are not included but you can add 3 evening meals for £50pp).  As part of the tour we will host a welcome BAR-B-Q on the Saturday evening, giving everyone a chance to meet over a glass of wine and discuss the adventure for the next 4 days.

Sunday May 6th.

Today’s the day !!  Stating at 9.00a.m. you head off West on Regional Cycle Route 30. Cycling on very quiet lanes and byways through gently undulating farmland and woodlands your first stop for Coffee will be the historic town Thetford, regarded by many as the home of Boudicca’s royal palace. More recently Thetford was the base for many of the episodes of Dad’s Army and we will visit Captain Mainwaring’s statue by the riverside. The afternoon starts with lunch on the edge of Thetford Forest  and then we go out through the Forest towards Watton shadowing the ancient Roman Road known today as the Pedders Way.

In the late afternoon we reach the sanctuary of the old Saxon settlement of Dereham.  It’s now an interesting Market Town in the very centre of Norfolk offering a wide variety of attractions:- Vintage Railway, Cinema, Modern Swimming Pool and Victorian Museum. You will be staying in one the town’s historic Coaching Inn’s – both offer very comfortable accommodation and great food. Total mileage on Day 1 approx: 51 miles

Monday May 7th.

A beautiful ride this morning alongside ancient meadowland and through historic villages towards Fakenham and the Norfolk Coast. Passing Gressenhall Rural Life Museum and near the Saxon Cathedral at North Elmham you’ll probably stop for coffee in Fakenham before following Cycle Route 1 into the small pilgrimage town of Walsingham. With lots of quirky cafes and historic sites this is a great stopping place for lunch. It’s then on to Coast; options to cycle through the 1500 acres of parkland at Holkham Hall and on to the vast and totally unspoilt beach at Holkham Bay or alternatively park your bike and explore the small fishing town of Wells-next-the-Sea which still has a fleet of working shrimp boats. Complete the day in an excellent country hotel near the Coast.

Total mileage Day 2 approx: 47 miles

Tuesday May 8th

A day when you’re spoilt for choice – our route takes you near many of Norfolk’s best attractions:- the North Norfolk Railway, Sheringham Park,  Shire Horse Sanctuary, Cromer Pier, Felbrigg Hall and many others !

Perhaps a lunch of famous Cromer Crabs or traditional Fish and Chips at the seaside village of Mundesley before tackling the quiet coastal section of Regional Cycle Route 30 and the run down to Great Yarmouth and the Norfolk Broads.  Cycling past remote windmills and nature reserves we arrive in the bustling resort of Great Yarmouth in the late afternoon.  A short hop from Great Yarmouth takes us to our overnight stay in a 3 star hotel on the edge of Lowestoft.

Total mileage Day 3 approx 56 miles

Wednesday May 9th

Now turning West, still on Regional Cycle Route 30, we are on the final leg back to the starting point in Diss. The route follows the wonderful River Waveney Valley and passes through the Norfolk Broads at Beccles and the quirky market towns of Bungay and Harleston. Before reaching Diss you can stop for a canoe or boat trip on the Broads, visit the Flixton Aviation Museum or explore the World War II Bomb Group Museum at Thorpe Abbotts.

Arrive back at Diss mid-afternoon for a celebratory glass of champagne and a well deserved rest. As well as our warm congratulations everyone will receive a presentation photograph and a souvenir T-shirt.

Total mileage Day 4 approx 38 miles