Cycling holiday company Saddle Skedaddle has shared details of its self-guided family cycling tour of the Northumberland Coast in north east England. Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful coastlines in the UK, the Northumberland coast is the perfect introduction to the county’s award-winning beaches, stunning landscapes, and centuries of history.
Starting in the market town of Alnwick, there’s a chance to test out the family’s broomstick skills before jumping on the bikes. Alnwick Castle – famous as a filming location for two of the Harry Potter movies – hosts regular broomstick training lessons in the Outer Bailey for aspiring witches and wizards. There’s also nearby Alnwick Garden, which is home to Lilidorei – the world’s largest play structure.
Transferring to two wheels, the cycling begins with a gentle ride along the new purpose-built cyclepath running alongside the newly restored Aln Valley Railway (keep your eyes peeled for a passing steam engine). Minor roads and well-surfaced cycle tracks take riders to the pretty coastal villages of Alnmouth and Boulmer, before heading inland to beautiful gardens and arboretum at Howick Hall.
The second day in the saddle takes riders to Craster, famous for its smoked Craster kippers, before reaching the seaside village of Seahouses. This bustling village – the largest on this stretch of coastline – is the perfect place to enjoy some time off the bikes, with arcades, museums (including the RNLI Grace Darling Museum) and crazy golf all on offer. Seahouses is also the jumping off point for boat visits to the Farne Islands – a haven for seabirds and seals.
Other highlights of the five-day trip include riding through Bamburgh with the imposing site of its famous castle perched high on a rocky outcrop; the option to ride an additional seven miles to visit Holy Island (tide times allowing); and the coastal ride to cultural hub of Berwick upon Tweed, which sits on the border of Scotland.
About the trip
- Dates: daily departures available until the end of September 2025.
- Price: from £755 per person for adults, and £604 per person for children below the age of 18 when travelling with two full-paying passengers. A further discount (up to 20%) may be available on accommodation costs too when sharing a family room (subject to availability).
- Price includes: accommodation (bed and breakfast), access to an app for holiday info/navigation, luggage transfer service, local Skedaddle representative. Bike hire not included. Bike hire from £120 per person for adults and £60 per person for children (child bike seats available from £20). E-bikes from £200 per person. Part of this trip follows the National Cycle Network. Saddle Skedaddle makes a donation to Sustrans for every mile one of its customers completes on the National Cycle Network. Customers can also make their own personal donations too.
- Website: skedaddle.com