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Cycling Discovery Maps

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The region has thousands of miles of quiet country lanes and roads to explore. To help you, East of England Tourism has developed a range of circular Cycling Discovery Maps of between 13 and
30 miles (21 and 48 kilometres). These wind through agricultural land and along unspoilt coastline, visiting historic market towns and picturesque villages.

Click here to see a map of the region showing the locations of the Cycling Discovery Maps.

All maps are free - and contain route directions, short cuts, places to visit and refreshment stops.

Please note: these maps are in pdf format, and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print.

No part of these maps may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

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Route 8: Flint and Forge

Starting point: Stansted Mountfitchet, Hertfordshire/Essex borders.
Distance: 30 miles/48 kilometres (or with short cut, 14 miles/22 kilometres).
Type of route: moderate, circular; on roads.
This cycle ride starts from the historic village of Stansted Mountfichet. From here the route heads west, into an attractive landscape of low hills, rich farmland, woods and river valleys. Explore leafy lanes leading to picturesque villages of plaster, timber, flint and thatch, such as Manuden, Braughing and Much Hadham - the former country seat of the Bishops of London.

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Route 9: Literary Landscapes (part of the Great North Way)

Starting point: Welwyn, Hertfordshire.
Distance: 25 miles/40 kilometres (or with short cut, 20 miles/32 kilometres).
Type of route: moderate, circular; on roads.
This cycle ride starts from the historic town of Welwyn. From here the route heads west along the valley of the River Mimram, into the foothills of the Chilterns, an area of unspoilt countryside. Linked along narrow lanes are pretty villages, farmsteads and bluebell rich woodlands. This probably gave literary inspiration to playwright George Bernard Shaw whose hidden retreat can be visited.

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Route 10: Roisia's Path

Starting point: Therfield (nr. Royston), Hertfordshire.
Distance: 28 miles/45 kilometres (or with short cut, 22 miles/35 kilometres).
Type of route: moderate, circular; on roads.
This cycle ride starts from the village of Therfield, situated at one of the highest points in Hertfordshire. Close by, the prehistoric Icknield Way leads to the town of Royston, which grew up around a wayside cross erected by Lady Roisia soon after 1066. From Therfield, the route heads south into rolling, well-wooded countryside, offering timber-framed villages and panoramic views.

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Route 11: Romans and Royalty (part of the Great North Way)

Starting point: Hatfield (old town), Hertfordshire.
Distance: 16 miles/26 kilometres.
Type of route: easy, circular; on roads, cycle paths and tracks.
This cycle ride starts from the old town of Hatfield. From here the route heads south, then west, through woodlands and wildlife habitats, set adjacent to the busy M25 motorway. Dedicated cycle paths and grassy tracks eventually lead to St. Albans, an historic city noted for its Roman heritage. Then its back to Hatfield, along the line of the former Great Northern Railway. 

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Route 12: Malt and Forge

Starting point: Ware, Hertfordshire.
Distance: 16 miles/26 kilometres.
Type of route: easy, circular; on roads and cycle paths.
This cycle ride starts from the attractive town of Ware, once a major centre for the malting industry. From here the route heads east into a landscape of gently rolling countryside - home to rich farmland and pretty villages. Stop off at Much Hadham - the former country seat of the Bishops of London. Then it's back to Ware, beside the River Lea Navigation, with its colourful narrow boats.

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Route 13: The Bishop's Chapel

Starting point: Dereham, Norfolk.
Distance: 23 miles/37 kilometres (or with short cut, 17 miles/27 kilometres).
Type of route: moderate, circular; on roads.
This cycle ride starts from the market town of Dereham. From here the route heads north into the mid-Wensum Valley, along quiet country lanes which criss-cross the old railway line. Here you will find the attractive villages of Elsing, Swanton Morley and North Elmham, where on the site of an earlier Saxon cathedral, stand the romantic ruins of a 11th C. Norman chapel.

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Route 14: The Brecks

Starting point: Swaffham, Norfolk.
Distance: 20 miles/32 kilometres (or with short cut, 10 miles/16 kilometres).
Type of route: easy, circular; on roads.
This cycle ride starts from the charming market town of Swaffham, haunt of the wealthy in Gerogian times. From here the route heads west along quiet country lanes into The Brecks or Breckland, a unique landscape of heath, pine forests and large open fields. It is pitted with settlements such as Cockley Cley and Beachamwell, which date back to the earliest times.

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Route 15: Lords of the Manor

Starting point: Aylsham, Norfolk.
Distance: 29 miles/47 kilometres (or with short cut, 16 miles/26 kilometres).
Type of route: moderate, circular; on roads.
This cycle ride starts from the historic market town of Aylsham. From here the route heads north along quiet country lanes, through gently rolling landscapes and picturesque villages. Here you can explore the grand country estates of the rich and famous - from the Jacobean Blickling Hall, to the rambling roses of medieval Mannington, and 17th C. Felbrigg Hall with its walled garden.

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Route 16: The Lost Villages of Breckland

Starting point: Gressenhall (nr. Dereham), Norfolk.
Distance: 23 miles/37 kilometres (or with short cut, 19 miles/31 kilometres).
Type of route: moderate, circular; on roads.
This cycle ride starts from the village of Gressenhall, where a former 18th C. workhouse depicts rural life through the ages. From here the route heads north through attractive countryside and villages to the untouched valley of the River Nar. In between lie the abandoned medieval hamlets of Little Bittering and Godwick, where the church ruins stand as a timely reminder.

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Route 17: Nelson's Norfolk

Starting point: Fakenham, Norfolk.
Distance: 29 miles/47 kilometres (or with short cut, 21 miles/34 kilometres).
Type of route: moderate, circular; on roads and tracks.
This cycle ride starts from the market town of Fakenham. From here the route heads north into an area of rich rolling countryside, with pretty flint villages and spectacular views of the coast. Here, one of England's greatest heroes, Lord Horatio Nelson was born. Make a pilgrimage to his father's church, and to the famous shrine of 'Our Lady' in the religious centre of Little Walsingham.

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Route 18: Churches, Copses and Country Lanes

Starting point: Carlton Colville (nr. Lowestoft), Suffolk.
Distance: 24 miles/39 kilometres (or with short cut, 13 miles/21 kilometres).
Type of route: easy, circular; on roads.
This cycle ride starts from the village of Carlton Colville. From here the route heads south into a gently rolling landscape of attractive villages, old country estates and ancient woodlands (copses). Take time to visit a plethora of historic churches, some of flint, some of thatch. Then it's east to the unspoilt coastline, with its crumbling cliffs and rare plant/bird life.

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Route 19: The Jockey's Trail (From Lodes to Gallops)

Starting point: Newmarket, Suffolk.
Distance: 28 miles/45 kilometres (two shorter loops of 6 miles/10 kilometres).
Type of route: moderate, circular; on roads and cycle paths.
This cycle ride starts from the horseracing capital of the world, Newmarket. From here the route heads north west to the 'Fen edge' villages of Burwell, Reach and Swaffham Prior. These former inland ports date back to Roman times with their ancient waterways or 'lodes'. The return journey takes you into a rolling patchwork of chalk grasslands and woodland, home to lavish stud farms.

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Route 20: The Miller's Trail

Starting point: Ixworth (nr. Bury St Edmunds), Suffolk.
Distance: 23 miles/37 kilometres (or with short cut, 12 miles/19 kilometres).
Type of route: moderate, circular; on roads.
This cycle ride starts from the ancient village of Ixworth. From here the route heads into an area with a rich agricultural heritage, where the turning sails and water-wheels of historic mills have been part of Suffolk life for over 800 years. Climb their towers for views over rural landscapes, and take home some freshly milled flour. In between are picturesque villages and fine churches to explore.