Coastal Treasures Cycle Tour
Experience the rolling landscapes of west Norfolk with the wind in your hair and the ground beneath your wheels.
The route can feel beautifully remote and isolated, but with plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants in nearby villages you're never too far from somewhere to rest and refuel.
- Number of days: Three
- Difficulty: Mild-strenuous
- Distance: 75km/46 miles cycling via route 1 plus extra if you add circular routes
- Landscape: Woodland and chalk downs, to saltmarsh and sand dunes
- Start/end: King's Lynn/Dersingham/Thornham/King's Lynn
- Best time of year: Spring to autumn (based Sandringham Estate opening times)
Day 1
- Distance: 12 miles plus optional circular route
Begin your Journey in King's Lynn and follow National Cycle Route 1 north to Sandringham Estate. Around halfway you'll pass the remains of the Norman Motte and Bailey Castle of Castle Rising. Sandringham House is best known as the country retreat where the royal family spends Christmas but its fascinating history and impressive architecture make it worth a visit. Sandringham Estate website recommends you allow at least four hours to make the most of what's on offer. With a café and restaurant, country clothing shop and gift shop at Sandringham Visitor Centre, you could probably stay for longer.
There's plenty of parking for bikes at Sandringham Visitor Centre. The house, museum and gardens are closed during the winter months but the visitor facilities are all open all year.
It's a good place to stop for refreshments if you plan to continue around the Sandringham Cycle Circular.
Continue on to Dersingham afterwards, where you'll find food and accommodation.
For more information on Sandringham and its opening times, visit the Sandringham Estate website (opens new window).
Day 2
- Distance: 11 miles plus optional circular route or walk
Continue along National Cycle Route 1 to Thornham, around eleven miles to the north. Lock the bike up at the village hall and enjoy lunch at one of the local delis, cafes and restaurants.
Spend the afternoon on Thornham's short circular walk, which takes in the Norfolk Coast landscapes of sand dunes and salt marshes. Or if you're feeling more energetic, take the longer Sandringham Cycle Circular that takes in much of the history of the wider area.
Finish the day with a stopover in Thornham or take a short ride to Sedgeford where you'll find a few places to stay.
Day 3
- Distance: 23 miles plus optional diversions onto the two cycle routes.
Time to head for home! You can do this in a few ways. Take the time to explore parts of the Ringstead Circular Cycle route and Sandringham Circular Cycle route if you haven't already, or stick to National Cycle Route 1.
There are places for lunch stops along the way, depending on your speed, but Dersingham and the Sandringham Estate visitor centres are around halfway. For faster cyclists who might complete the 23 mile return leg in just the morning, Lynn Museum (opens new window) in King's Lynn is an excellent way to spend the afternoon, particularly after exploring the area around Thornham where ancient Seahenge was discovered. The henge itself is now on display in the museum.
Accommodation
For a map of bookable accommodation options as well as a tool to create your own itineraries see the National Trails website (opens new window).
Rest days
If you're planning on a longer stay and want to learn more about the heritage of west Norfolk, a visit to Lynn Museum (opens new window) is a great choice.
