Cycling has long been a much-loved pastime. Some of us enjoy a gentle meander as a summer activity, while others utilise it as a way of getting to and from work. Not to mention the tonnes of pros who dedicate their life to it as a sport.
We’re incredibly lucky in Devon to have miles upon miles of cycle paths and bike-friendly roads so that people can enjoy all of the stunning scenery that our county has to offer. Plus, many hotels in the area are happy to accommodate cyclists with room to store their bikes or even offer bicycles to hire for the day.
If you’re thinking of booking a cycling holiday in Devon take a read of the hotels we deem to be the most cycling-friendly in the region.
Lympstone Manor, Lympstone
Picturesquely situated on the Exe Estuary with breathtaking scenery on its doorstep is Lympstone Manor, a five-star luxury manor house hotel. This charming hotel is set on a 28-acre estate complete with vineyard, a chic pool house and a Michelin starred restaurant.
Being so close to the Exe Estuary provides ample cycling routes for those wishing to explore the area, either towards Exmouth or Exeter and Dawlish Warren in the opposite direction. Lympstone Manor even offer and encourage guests to hire bikes from them at reception to ensure they make the most of the local countryside and scenery.
At the foot of their estate they have a gate allowing for easy access to the Exe Estuary trail which is a 16-mile, mostly flat cycle route along the estuary and provides fantastic countryside views.
Sidmouth Harbour Hotel, Sidmouth
Overlooking the striking red cliffs of Sidmouth and boasting spectacular views of Lyme Bay, Sidmouth Harbour Hotel is the perfect place for a beach-filled getaway. This wonderful hotel sits on the Jurassic coast, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an UNESCO World Heritage Site, so not only do you get to appreciate the beauty of a town like Sidmouth, but there’s also heaps of history to be explored!
If you decide to book at stay with Sidmouth Harbour Hotel you’ll be delighted to find out that you needn’t stress about bringing your bike with you as they have complimentary bicycles to hire on request, plus you have the option to take a luxury picnic in an easy-to-carry backpack too for just a few extra pounds. They also have a dedicated leaflet with all their favourite cycle routes in Sidmouth to help you decide which direction to ride in – how wonderful!
One route that we’re sure Sidmouth Harbour Hotel will recommend is the cycle path towards Beer. There’s a couple of different ways you can do this route, you could make it a longer, circular route by heading up past Sidbury, then down to Beer through the adoring East Devon countryside and returning to Sidmouth via the path through Branscombe. Or, you can simply just cycle to and from Beer taking the path that follows the coastline.
Bovey Castle, Dartmoor
Gracefully standing on a 275-acre estate, Bovey Castle has all the makings of a luxurious getaway. The hotel sits in the heart of Dartmoor National Park near the quaint town of Moretonhampstead. A golf course, spa resort and a fine dining restaurant are all on offer when staying at Bovey, as well as their fantastic unique experiences such as falconry, archery and off-road driving.
Bikes may be hired from the reception desk during your stay at Bovey Castle to explore the grounds, but are not permitted to be taken off-site. However, if you are able to bring your own bike, or hire one from one of the other local bicycle rentals, there are plenty of wonderful cycle paths to explore on Dartmoor.
The Dartmoor Way is a route that sits on the doorstep of Bovey Castle. The trail is some 90-miles long and winds its way around the entire Dartmoor National Park, linking hamlets, towns and villages along its length. If you wanted to just cycle part, Bovey Castle sits conveniently mid-way between Bovey Tracey and Okehampton so you could travel in either direction and end up in a wonderful town filled with places to grab a bite to eat and refuel for the journey back.
Best Western Passage House Hotel, Newton Abbot
Overlooking the Hackney Canal on the banks of the River Teign, the Passage House Hotel is a great choice if you’re looking for somewhere to stay with lots of cycle routes nearby. This traditional and cosy hotel boats a leisure suite, gym, beauty salon and a riverside pub, plus a number of well-appointed rooms with estuary views.
The Passage House Hotel is lucky enough to sit on a wonderful footpath and cycle route so you can visit the historic market town of Newton Abbot in just over 10 minutes; the perfect place for an amble with restaurants, cafes and shops aplenty. From Newton Abbot there’s a number of cycle routes that can be taken, but we’d highly recommend the Stover Trail which travels to Bovey Tracey, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park and passes through Stover Country Park, an ideal place to catch your breath or to enjoy a picnic.
Mill End Hotel, Chagford
The Mill End Hotel is set in a rural country house former coaching inn on on the banks of the River Teign; just a short distance from the market town of Chagford. This hotel is perfect for those looking to have a peaceful and relaxing escape surrounding by unspoilt countryside. Plus, The Mill End Hotel is an incredibly dog-friendly hotel so your four-legged friends will certainly be welcomed with open arms here.
Due to its proximity to the moors, there’s a number of great cycle routes to explore from the hotel. The Granite Way is a mostly traffic-free cycle route that runs near the Mill End Hotel and along a former railway line. It travels along the north-western edge of Dartmoor from Lydford to Okehampton, passing over Meldon Viaduct which offers unbeatable views of the granite landscape and reservoir. If you aren’t able to bring your bikes with you then not to worry as there’s a cycle shop located just a few miles from the hotel in Sourton where you can hire bicycles.
If you decide to book your Devonshire cycling holiday we’d love to hear all about it! Share your experiences with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by tagging @DevonHotels in your posts. If we’re particularly impressed by your photos we may even repost it on our pages!