Cyclist riding through a quiet Suffolk village with traditional cottages, trees, and parked cars on a calm autumn day.

South Suffolk Cycle Route – Cycling Holidays & Outdoor Adventures

Type of trail?
Regional cycling network (signed circular loops)
Is it for me?
Leisurely pace
Mostly easy but with occasional hills or uneven ground.
What will I see?
Timbered cottages and church towers
Windmills and riverside paths
Historic market towns and villages
Open Farmland
What’s the vibe?
Slow countryside cycling
Heritage and discovery
Relaxed but rewarding

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are the South Suffolk Cycle Route loops?

Most individual loops are in the 18–40 mile range. If you link sections together, you can easily create longer one-day rides or a relaxed 2–3 day holiday itinerary.

Where can I start?

You can start anywhere along the network. Popular starting points include Lavenham, Sudbury, Long Melford, Hadleigh, Boxford, Polstead, and Bures, depending on where you’re staying.

Is the network signposted?

Yes. Sections are signed with South Suffolk Cycle Route markers, often with suffixes such as A, A1, A2 or B. Signage is generally good, but a map or GPX file is still useful for planning and navigation.

What kind of roads will I be riding on?

The routes use a mix of quiet B-roads and peaceful country lanes, with occasional short stretches on slightly busier local roads when linking villages.

Are there companies offering cycling holidays here?

Yes. Several independent cycling holiday companies operate in South Suffolk and Constable Country. Many riders choose them because they provide: Clear route notes and GPX files Pre-booked accommodation on or near the route Luggage transfers between stays Tailored daily stages and backup support

A Cycling Network Through South Suffolk’s Countryside and Historic Villages

The South Suffolk Cycle Route is a network of signed circular cycling loops linking together some of Suffolk’s most peaceful countryside, villages, and market towns. These routes — often labelled locally as Route A, A1, A2 or B — weave through the medieval streets of Lavenham, Sudbury and Long Melford, and into quiet lanes around Kersey, Boxford, Polstead, Edwardstone, Bures, and the wider Stour Valley.

It’s an area made for gentle, self-guided cycling holidays: rolling farmland, hedged lanes, parish churches, and picture-book villages with proper village pubs and tea rooms. Riders can follow one signed loop as a day ride, or link sections together for a relaxed multi-day adventure.

Route Overview

Type: Signed regional cycling network

Distance:

  • Individual signed loops are typically around 18–40 miles
  • You can link loops and connecting lanes for longer rides over one or more days

Start / End:
Join the network from any town or village along the route. Popular bases include Lavenham, Sudbury, Long Melford, Hadleigh, Boxford, Polstead, Bures and nearby Stour Valley villages.

Time Required:

  • 1 day for a shorter loop
  • 2–3 days for a flexible, multi-day cycling holiday

Terrain:
Quiet B-roads and peaceful country lanes, with some short climbs

Difficulty:
Easy to Moderate — suitable for most reasonably fit cyclists, including hybrid and e-bike riders

Rail Access:
Rail links at Sudbury (with connections from London), plus nearby stations at Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, and Manningtree, make car-free trips straightforward.

Explore South Suffolk by Bike

Lavenham, Long Melford & Sudbury

Use one of South Suffolk’s historic wool towns as your base and ride out on signed loops through open fields and gently undulating countryside. Lavenham and Long Melford offer timber-framed streets, churches, and plenty of cafés and inns for post-ride rewards.

Boxford, Kersey, Polstead & Edwardstone

Head further into the countryside on narrow lanes between Boxford, Polstead, Kersey, and nearby hamlets. Expect wide views, wooded hillsides, quiet farms, and highlights like the Kersey ford and secluded, hedge-lined roads.

Stour Valley & Dedham Vale Connections

Some loops run close to the Stour Valley and the edges of the Dedham Vale National Landscape, making it easy to add a detour into Constable Country. This is classic East Anglia — big skies, river meadows, and slower, more contemplative riding.

Shotley Peninsula & Alton Water (Route B)

Further east, South Suffolk Cycle Route B crosses the Shotley Peninsula and the countryside around Alton Water, adding estuary views and reservoir scenery to the network. This area mixes gentle shoreline riding with quiet inland lanes and small villages.

Stay and Explore

Towns & Villages

Sudbury • Lavenham • Long Melford • Kersey • Boxford • Polstead • Bures • Hadleigh • Edwardstone • Holbrook / Shotley Peninsula (Route B area)

Places to Stay

Country inns, boutique hotels, rural cottages, and cycling-friendly B&Bs in the main towns and across the surrounding villages.
Listings for local independent stays are coming soon.

Food & Drink

Village pubs, historic coaching inns, tearooms, bakeries, and farm cafés — ideal for mid-ride stops and slow evenings.

Culture & Heritage

Medieval wool towns, parish churches, old watermills, small museums, and traditional Suffolk architecture throughout the route.

Adventure Highlights

  • Ride quiet B-roads and peaceful country lanes through South Suffolk’s prettiest villages
  • Explore Lavenham, one of England’s best-preserved medieval towns
  • Roll through Kersey and its iconic ford, often used as a film location
  • Enjoy relaxed day rides with easy access to cafés, pubs, and viewpoints
  • Add optional detours into the Stour Valley and Dedham Vale
  • Create your own multi-day cycling holiday by linking several loops together