2025 Expedition: Bike Across Britain: Land’s End to John O’Groats

Highlights: Arrival, bicycle fitting and welcome dinner

Welcome to Cornwall, the most southwestern county in England and the starting point for our epic ride to John O’Groats. Cornwall has one of the most intensive prehistoric landscapes in Britain. Arrive today in Penzance, where we’ll meet for a transfer to our hotel on the shores of Sennen Cove, situated near the edge of the Penwith Peninsula. In the 17th and 18th centuries, smugglers used the rugged headland’s hidden coves to evade customs officials, but there’s no escaping our bike fitting before dinner together tonight.

Highlights: Land’s End, Penzance, Cornish countryside, Truro’s Gothic cathedral

Start the day with a group photo at Land’s End before rolling out on quiet country lanes that descend to the coastal road skirting the shore of Mounts Bay and on through the town of Penzance, known for its charming harbours and the iconic view of St. Michael’s Mount. The ride heads inland where you’ll encounter the rolling hills, picturesque farmland and traditional Cornish villages, such as Marazion. Keep your eye out for breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. Tonight you’ll sleep in Truro.

Highlights: Cornish countryside, St. Austell, Tavistock

Today’s ride immerses you in the lush farmland and traditional hedgerow-lined lanes of the Cornish countryside. You’ll pass through the historic town of St. Austell, with its rich mining heritage, and pedal onward through Lostwithiel and Liskeard before embarking on the final stretch out of Cornwall and into Devon. The scenery transitions to rolling hills and expansive views as you approach Tavistock, a lively town on the edge of Dartmoor.

Highlights: Dartmoor National Park

Today you’ll cross the width of the county of Devon. Begin with a steady climb into the Dartmoor National Park. After conquering a few challenging gradients, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of open moorland, granite tors, and wild ponies. Then, descend Dartmoor’s undulating road before joining country lanes that pass through quiet Devonshire villages and onwards to Tiverton and Taunton.

Highlights: Diverse landscapes and small towns

Today’s relaxed route initially follows quiet canal paths. Once out of Taunton, you’ll pedal quiet roads and continue to Bridgwater. From here it’s on to the large village of Cheddar (yes, the namesake of one of England’s most well-known cheeses) on the edge of the Somerset Levels, an inland expanse of wetlands and plains. You’ll finish the day in Webbington at the foot of the Mendip Hills.

Highlights: Cheddar Gorge, Bradford-on-Avon, Cirencester

After breakfast, you’ll ride through the birthplace of Cheddar Cheese on to one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, the towering limestone cliffs of the Cheddar Gorge. Continue pedaling undulating terrain before reaching Bradford-on-Avon, a charming town known for its picturesque setting and vibrant community. Enjoy lunch here before continuing north as you skirt the southern end of the Cotswolds through the town of Malmesbury. Cross the River Thames and finish your ride in the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’, Cirencester.

Highlights: Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon

Your route today follows the spine of the Cotswolds escarpment, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Pass through the pretty Coln and Evenlode valleys before riding through the historic Chipping Campden high street, a masterpiece of Cotswold stone building, which once served as a trading hub for wool and cheese. After a final flat section along the Stratford Greenway you’ll arrive in Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Highlights: Stratford-upon-Avon

Enjoy a day off the bike to explore Stratford-upon-Avon and. Perhaps visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s cottage or simply enjoy a stroll along the River Avon and relax in Barncroft Gardens. The town is also home to quaint tearooms, independent shops, and inviting riverside pubs, so you can equally relax with a leisurely lunch or afternoon tea.

Highlights: Quiet country lanes, the River Severn valley

Back in the saddle today! You’ll depart Stratford-upon-Avon along canal paths before heading north-west toward Telford, tonight’s destination. Along the way, you’ll ride a mixture of quiet country lanes and faster ‘B’ roads that follow the River Severn. The day’s ride concludes by following the former Great Western Railway and the dry canal beds of the old Shropshire Canal along the Silkin Way, which leads to our hotel.

Highlights: Markey Drayton, Maer Hills, Stone-on-Trent

Today you’ll pedal a less hilly route toward Market Drayton, the ‘home of gingerbread,’ located on the Shropshire Union Canal. You’ll continue on country lanes towards the highest point of the day at Maer Hills before arriving at Stoke-on-Trent, or ‘Stoke.’ The town consists of six historic areas—Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton, and Longton—collectively known as “The Potteries.”

Highlights: Traffic-free paths, Manchester

This morning the Biddulph Valley Way guides you out of Stoke and toward Congleton along traffic-free paths for the longest day in the saddle so far. As you pedal through the rolling terrain, you’ll pass through Macclesfield, skirting the edges of the Peak District National Park, before joining a national cycle route that takes you into the heart of Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. While riding through the city, soak in the fascinating mix of industrial heritage and modern culture. Once you leave the urban bustle behind, quieter roads lead you toward the moors, eventually bringing you to your next hotel on the outskirts of Blackburn.

Highlights: Ribble Valley, Lake District National Park

Today’s first climb takes you onto the edges of the Ribble Valley which you’ll drop into and out of after crossing the valley’s namesake river. Skirting around the fringes of the Forest of Bowland, you’ll pass through Lancaster before turning toward the Lake District National Park. Riding through the heart of the Lyth Valley, you’ll enjoy its flat valley floor before climbing through Winster and arriving in Bowness on Windermere. From there, a short ride on faster roads takes you to your hotel in the heart of Ambleside.

Highlights: Grasmere, Thirlmere, Carlisle Castle, Scotland

This morning you’ll ride to the charming village of Grasmere, once home to William Wordsworth and known for its famous Grasmere Gingerbread—a perfect snack for your journey! You’ll cross the Lake District’s north-south divide at Dunmail Raise before winding around Thirlmere, a scenic reservoir framed by striking peaks, supplying water to Manchester over 150 km away. After leaving the central Lake District, you’ll reach Carlisle and its historic castle before crossing the border into Scotland and soon, your hotel in Annan.

Highlights: Eskdalemuir Forest, Peebles

Today’s ride begins at the shores of Bowness-on-Solway, where you’ll enjoy a gradual, undulating ascent through the stunning roads of the Eskdalemuir Forest. As you reach the highest point of the ride, you’ll pass the birthplace of Scottish poet James Hogg, followed by a steady descent over Yarrow Water. One last climb will take you to the summit between Glenlude Hill and Mountbenger Law. Enjoy a long descent and a flat finish into Peebles, where you’ll stay for the next two nights.

Highlights: Peebles

Spend the day relaxing and taking in the views or perhaps wander around Peebles and its surrounding countryside. The more adventurous may want to visit either the Innerleithen or Glentress mountain bike centres, or maybe you just fancy a walk alongside the River Tweed. Peebles is a bustling border town with good shopping opportunities for souvenirs.

Highlights: Edinburgh outskirts, The Kelpies, Stilrling Castle

Today you’ll continue riding into the heart of Scotland. You’ll pedal north through the hills toward Roslin Country Park before entering the more urban areas of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh. You’ll skirt the edge of the city to join the Union Canal. This afternoon, spy The Kelpies—two monumental horse-head sculptures standing 30 meters (100 feet) tall, the largest equine sculptures in the world. Tonight you stay near the historic Stirling Castle.

Highlights: Scottish Highlands

This morning, make your way toward Amulree. As you enter Glen Cochill, the rolling hills, open moorland, and scattered forests surround you, offering a true sense of the Scottish Highlands’ rugged beauty. The climb to the summit is gradual and steady, leading you to Loch na Creige. From there, the tree line closes in on either side of the road as you descend toward Aberfeldy. Tonight you sleep in Pitlochry, nestled amidst stunning Highland scenery.

Highlights: Cairgorm National Park, Center of Scotland Stone

Today’s ride ventures into Cairngorm National Park. You’ll follow quiet roads and hard-pack trails, starting along the River Garry to the country’s geological heart, the Centre of Scotland Stone. Continue your ride to Kingussie before winding your way along peaceful roads to Boat of Garten, located at the northwestern edge of the National Park on the Strathspey Railway.

Highlights: Dromossie Muir, Inverness

Say goodbye to Cairngorm National Park this morning as you head to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. On the outskirts of Inverness, cross Drumossie Muir, most famous for the 1746 Battle of Culloden, the final confrontation of the Jacobite Rising. Tonight’s hotel is on the banks of the River Ness. This afternoon, enjoy exploring the Ness Islands and Inverness.

Highlights: Coastal riding, ferry crossing

Today you’ll ride north along the coast through Fortrose and on toward Cromarty where we’ll board a ferry that crosses the Moray Firth to Nigg. This short but scenic crossing offers splendid views of the surrounding hills and sea. This evening we stay at the Dornoch Castle Hotel.

Highlights: Shin Forest, Flow Country peat bogs, North Coast

Today you arrive on the north coast. The route follows quiet roads through the Shin Forest and on past the stunning landscapes of Flow Country – a vast expanse of peat bogs, one of the largest and most important peatland areas in Europe. The ride today finishes in Tongue which sits at the edge of the North Coast 500 route, overlooking the North Sea.

Highlights: Last day to the top of Scotland

Your final day of riding arrives at last. You’ll join the North Coast 500 route, pedaling east on an undulating route to arrive at your long-awaited finishing point of John O’Groats. Congratulations on a trip well done. You will have pedaled more than 1,600 Km (1,000 miles) and 17,000 m (58,000ft) of elevation since departing Land’s End. Take a celebratory final group photo before transferring to your final night’s lodging for a final dinner and toasts all around.

Highlights: Bon Voyage!

We depart by shuttle to Inverness together. Enjoy your further travels home or onward!