The wide Waveney Valley around Beccles in Suffolk makes for perfect cycling country. Whether you enjoy just a gentle pedal-push, a family bike ride or like to clock up the lycra-clad kilometers, the quiet green lanes, Angles Way, plus the regional and national cycle routes around Beccles are sure to get you in a spin.
Interested in other activities in & around Beccles?
Steer your handlebars along Waveney Valley paths as part of a dedicated cycling holiday or cycle-round-Suffolk Wolf Way encounter. Or maybe cruise out to Beccles Quay with your bikes on board.
Whether you roll up with a full bike rack on your car or camper to stay and play, or opt to hire bikes once on site or in the Broads, the choice is yours.
No matter how you embark upon your cycling adventure, you’ll love the countryside, town, village and riverside discoveries you make with every mile of flat or gently rolling terrain.
You’ll find Beccles directly on National Cycle Route 1 and Regional Cycle Routes 31 and 30, so it really is superbly placed for exploring in all directions.
The heritage town really is well-connected . Bringing your bike to Beccles by train is an option, or use rail services to set off from a different start point and pedal back.
Whichever direction, combination of travel options or length of ride you choose, look out on route for East Anglia’s awesome and often isolated medieval churches, glorious village greens and fab foodie farm shops or fresh produce roadside honesty boxes.
Getting About Cycle MapMake Beccles your Suffolk cycling destination for the day, or stay over and enjoy some super cycle discovery rides, looping back to Beccles to relax and refuel before your next two-wheeled adventure.
From the church-and-farmstead-strewn ‘Saints’ to the charming estate village of Sotterley or Suffolk’s seaside favourite, Southwold, there’s a whole portfolio of discovery ride routes ready to lead the way.
With round-trip route suggestions ranging from 13-27 miles (21-45kms), plus short cuts and spur ideas, there’s something for everyone from unseasoned cyclists to the super-sporty.
The fully waymarked Angles Way path is a great opportunity to get off road a while – and get to grips with the Waveney Valley’s wonderful expanse of countryside without hedges obscuring the views from the saddle! The linear route stretches 93 miles / 150 kms between Norfolk’s Great Yarmouth and Thetford, dipping in and out of Suffolk on its way.
The Angles Way long distance path is a favourite with walkers, but combining field margins with wider rural trackways and cross-meadow or riverside paths, many sections are ideal for fans of hybrid or mountain bikes too (although you’ll encounter only ‘undulations’ rather than hills or mountains in the way!).
What’s more, the waymarked route passes directly through Beccles via Puddingmoor and The Quay, with some good off-road cycling sections west towards Geldeston and to the east too. Mix and match with some rural routes or ‘Quiet Lanes’ for a practically traffic-free day in the saddle.
You’ll find Beccles on Suffolk’s newest cycle trail – The Wolf Way. The 248 mile / 400 km round-the-county trail leads along bridleways, byways, gravel tracks, cycle paths and quiet back roads, with dedicated routing suggestions for summer and winter rides. Designed by the cycling community for local and visiting cyclists alike, you can pick up the trail at Beccles or beyond, or begin at the official start point, Bury St Edmunds, to pick up parts of the ancient Icknield Way.
Interested in cycling The Wolf Way and overnighting in Beccles? Look out for special welcome offers at accommodation providers in Beccles, including houseboats and floating glamping pods in the River Waveney.
Did you know you can cycle out on the water from Beccles?
Team up with a friend and use your pedal-pushing skills to power a course along the River Waveney – in a pedal boat made for two.
Pedal off to a country pub for a pint. Shop to pop a picnic in the panniers for later. Top up the reserves on a delicious coffee and cake stop after some serious spinning … There’s so much more to enjoy on a bike ride, than just the scenery and fresh air!
Head into Beccles for refreshing treats, and you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Look out for its pastry-stop pavement cafés, restaurants, quayside ice-cream stops or pubs where you can not only keep your bike in view, but get a few local tips and water-bottle top up from a friendly face too.
Find out moreRural East Suffolk is home to a growing number of single track, cyclist-friendly ‘Quiet Lanes’.
The nationally recognised advisory signs display a priority hierarchy and encourage all motorised road-users to be considerate to walkers, horse-riders, cyclists, joggers and other road users.
Near Beccles, wider village areas with ‘Quiet Lanes’ include Ellough, Barsham, Shipmeandow, Ringsfield and Ilketshall.
Find out moreBeccles and its villages welcome responsible cyclists who follow the Countryside Code.
Please respect, protect and enjoy the countryside, river banks and marshes safely.
Thank you for respecting the countryside code.
Discover hidden heritage town and riverside treasures, plus all sorts of wildlife and natural world gems. Head down streets and alleys, along the Angles Way Path or off the beaten track with this selection of circular and linear walks and activities.