2025
Radtour in Merry old England

Cycle tour in Merry old England

Cycling tour from Ipswich through Suffolk

Ipswich – Aldeburgh – Bury St. Edmunds

  • Framlingham Castle
  • Snape Maltings
  • Aldeburgh seaside resort
  • Sutton Hoo ship burial site
  • Daily routes ●○○○○, altitude profile ●●○○○

Days
8

Ø km per day
50

On the cycle tour in Merry old England, you will experience south-east England at its most beautiful: rolling hills, historic market towns and the typical serenity of English country life accompany you day after day. The region delights with thatched cottages, wide fields, medieval castles and tranquil river valleys – perfect for an enjoyable tour on two wheels.
Your route takes you along quiet paths through the heart of the county, past highlights such as the Sutton Hoo ship burial ground, the Norman castle of Framlingham or the elegant seaside resort of Felixstowe. Suffolk also has a lot to offer culturally: Concert halls in old malt factories, cozy tea rooms and lively markets make every day a special experience. The daily stages are pleasant to cycle and offer plenty of time for breaks, sightseeing and small discoveries along the way. Overnight stays are in lovingly selected accommodation – from charming inns to stylish country hotels.
Look forward to a relaxed cycle tour off the beaten tourist track, where history, nature and the British way of life flow harmoniously together.

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    EN-GBIB7
  • Accommodation level
    national 3* level
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Arrival days
    daily
  • Minimum number of participants
    2 persons
  • Travel documents Languages
    German, English, French, Italian, Spanish
  • Print version PDF
    incl. hotel examples
  • Parking information
    Free parking on the premises of our partner tour operator directly on the cycle pat, journey time from the hotel approx. 45 minutes.
  • Return to Ipswich / Needham Market
    On your own by train to Needham Market and 10 min. walk to the parking lot, direct connections several times a day, duration approx. 35 minutes.
Aldeburgh – House on the Alde River
Aldeburgh – House on the Alde River

Day 1: Individual arrival in Ipswich

Welcome to England! Your cycle tour in Merry old England begins in Ipswich, one of the oldest towns in the country. Historic half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and the lively waterfront marina create the perfect setting for your upcoming cycle tour. If you arrive early, you can visit Christchurch Mansion or stroll through the well-kept parks. Round off the evening in a traditional pub.

Day 2: Ipswich – Needham Market – Framlingham, approx. 50 km + train ride

The first day of cycling starts in a relaxed manner. After a short train ride to Needham Market, you get on your bike. The pretty market town will delight you with its old inns and small stores. Through open countryside, you reach Eye - a charming little town with a historic town center and striking castle ruins. The route then continues through gently rolling hills to Framlingham. The medieval town with its mighty castle – where Queen Elizabeth I once lived – invites you to take a tour. An evening in the quaint alleyways rounds off the day perfectly.

Day 3: Framlingham – Aldeburgh, approx. 50 km

You start in a rural idyll and cycle through gently undulating Suffolk – past half-timbered houses and fields. Dunwich, once an important port town and now a quiet coastal village with a fascinating history, is well worth a stop. The small museum and the impressive cliffs tell of times gone by. Your route continues through the Dunwich Heath nature reserve with its purple blooming heather and sweeping sea views. Once you arrive in Aldeburgh, the typical flair of an English seaside resort awaits you: colorful houses, fresh fish straight from the cutter and a relaxed promenade atmosphere.

Day 4: Aldeburgh – Woodbridge, approx. 50 km

You follow the coast inland and first reach Snape, known for its concert hall in the former malt factory – a magnet for music lovers and culture enthusiasts. The route continues through tranquil marshland to Orford. The pretty village with its imposing Norman castle and small harbor offers the best opportunities for a break with a sea view on your cycle tour in Merry old England. Afterwards, you cycle through the Alde river valley and along quiet paths to Woodbridge. The market town on the River Deben exudes charm with its lovingly restored buildings, cozy cafés and the historic tide mill.

Day 5: Excursion to the seaside resort of Felixstowe, approx. 50 km

A varied day awaits you. First you visit Sutton Hoo, one of the most important archaeological sites in England. The royal Anglo-Saxon ship burial site provides fascinating insights into the early Middle Ages – the museum and burial mounds are well worth a visit. You then take a small ferry across the River Deben – a special experience. On the other side of the river, follow the coast to the Victorian town of Felixstowe. The elegant seaside resort with its sandy beaches, well-tended gardens and nostalgic pier invites you to take a relaxing break. The return journey to Woodbridge rounds off your day by the sea harmoniously.

Day 6: Woodbridge – Bildeston, approx. 50 km

You cycle through the heart of Suffolk, past fields, rolling hills and traditional cottages. In Hadleigh, it is worth taking a stroll through the historic High Street with its old inns and half-timbered facades. A little later you reach Kersey, one of the most beautiful villages in England: thatched houses, a small ford in the middle of the village and a picture-book idyll, as if from the Middle Ages. You then continue through peaceful countryside to Bildeston, a dreamy market town with Georgian flair and inviting pubs – an atmospheric end to today's stage of your cycle tour in Merry old England.

Day 7: Bildeston – Bury St. Edmunds, approx. 45 km

A particularly charming stage takes you to Lavenham, probably the most beautiful half-timbered village in England – a walk through the cobbled streets is like a journey back in time. The route continues through rolling hills to idyllic Hartest, where colorful cottages are dotted around the village green. You then roll through the parkland of Ickworth House – a magnificent manor house with an imposing dome, set in extensive gardens. In the afternoon, you will reach Bury St. Edmunds, a charming town with medieval alleyways, the impressive abbey ruins and a lively town center – a worthy end to your cycle tour.

Day 8: Individual departure

After an eventful day, it's time to say goodbye to your cycle tour in Merry old England. From Bury St. Edmunds, you can easily reach London or other destinations by train or transfer. You are welcome to extend your stay individually.

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Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and prices 2025

Arrival daily from 01.05.2025 to 26.10.2025

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Season A
01.05. - 30.06.
01.09. - 26.10.
from1389 €
Season B
01.07. - 31.08.

from1459 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 7 nights with breakfast, national 3* level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Bury St. Edmunds
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Route navigation via app
  • Service-Hotline (7 days, 9 a.m. – 17 p.m.)
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Minimum number of participants: 2 persons

Not included:

  • Train ride Ipswich – Needham Market, approx. 7 euros per person
  • Ferry trip across the River Deben incl. bike, approx. 5 euros per person (only possible until Sept. 25)
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Children discounts

discount-icon discount-icon-football

From 0 to 15 years

-30%

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room (from 2 persons)

559 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Bury St. Edmunds / Ipswich
 DBL

139 €

 SGL

249 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights in other places are possible on request. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
119 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
249 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 21-gear unisex / men's bike, derailleur gears with freewheel
  • E-bike / pedelec, derailleur gears with freewheel
Fittings

Pannier, bike lock, pump, repair kit (1 x per booking)

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Route profile

  • Start / Destination
    Ipswich / Bury St. Edmunds
  • Length
    approx. 300 km
    Daily routes ●○○○○
    between 45 and 50 km, Ø 50 km
    Altitude profile ●●○○○
  • Trail conditions
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    The trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility.
Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath

Days
8

Ø km per day
50