Around the Harbours | Bikers Delight ¦ UK and London cycle tours ¦ London cycling lessons

Summary:

Portsmouth and Chichester are packed with centuries of maritime history and world class attractions. This weekend explores the cities and miles of surrounding coastline. We’ll be enjoying the wealth of waterfront cycle paths, stunning beaches, picturesque harbours and even a couple of ferry rides. Plus some people might be glad to hear it’s completely flat!

Distances: 34 miles Saturday & 27 miles Sunday.

Terrain: Flat.

Path/Road: Quiet roads and off-road cycle paths. All bikes are suitable.

Physical difficulty: Moderate Saturday and Sunday. Cycling at a manageable pace for 3.5 hours Saturday & 3 hours Sunday. Everyone will be assisted but you must be competent on a bike.

Duration: Friday night to Sunday evening.

Accommodation: Staying in a 3* Hotel in the town of Havant.

Cost: £200pp, based on 2 people sharing a twin room (£50 single supplement).

Itinerary:

Friday:

Check in to the hotel and head to a nearby pub for meet, greet and socialise.

Saturday:

After a hearty breakfast it’s all aboard the train to Chichester. A quick tour around the City Centre will take in some of the historic sites: the Cathedral, Roman City walls and the Chichester Cross monument.

We’ll leave the City via the Canal tow path that runs for several miles to Chichester Marina, and the large area of wetlands that surround it. Enjoy the boats and views around this natural harbour.

Heading South to the coast you’ll pass through various villages and the RSPB Pagham Harbour nature reserve, where we’ll have elevenses in a lovely farm shop café.

Selsey Bill is the next stop, the southernmost point on the Sussex Coast, with wide open views across the Channel.

Hugging the water’s edge across Medmerry beach and nature reserve we’ll eventually arrive at the dramatic West Wittering beach. Huge, unspoilt and fringed with sand dunes it is a jewel in the South Coast’s crown. We’ll have lunch in the Beach Cafe.

We start our journey back North through the National Trust owned land at ‘East Head’. Then it’s time to embark on a different form of transport, the Itchenor ferry! This will take people and bikes across the Chichester Channel towards Bosham.

The final highlight of the day is the picturesque waterfront village of Bosham and its quay. A quick explore then it’s time to board the train from Broadbridge back to base.

Dinner and drinks in a local restaurant.

Sunday:

A busy day around Hayling Island and Portsmouth. Leave Havant across Langstone Meadows and Bridge, then pick up the cycle path – ‘Hayling Billy Trail’. This runs down the coast of Hayling Island and provides fine views across the lake towards Portsmouth.

Continuing around the island, and along the beach, we’ll enjoy elevenses at a beachfront café.

Then it’s time to find your sea legs again as we board another ferry over to Portsea Island.

It’s a straight glide along the Esplanade for a few miles now, past Eastney beach to the seaside resort of Southsea. There are many attractions here: South Parade and Clarence piers, Blue Reef Aquarium and Southsea castle amongst others.

The scenery changes from ‘Kiss me quick’ to ‘Naval history’ as we reach the Old Battery and Garrison. Have lunch amidst the 15th century buildings that form the sea wall.

There’s no time for shopping as we skirt Gunwharf Quay, the giant discount outlet village.

As we wiggle our way up through the City there might be a chance to catch a glimpse of one of the many historic warships moored in the harbour: HMS Warrior, Victory and Excellent!

Waterfront cycle paths transport us past shorelines, creeks and marshes, all the way back to our hotel. Sadly it’s time for goodbyes!

Bike hire: We can arrange – £30 for the weekend.

Included:

2 nights accommodation.

2 breakfasts.

2 days fully guided cycling.

2 train tickets.

2 ferry tickets.

Basic tool kit carried to undertake minor repairs.

Accident insurance cover.

Trained first aider.

Refund policy: