Cycling is something that the British do exceptionally well and here in Rutland we can offer you some of the best cycling in the country for all the family. Plan a visit to Rutland, ditch the car and tour our wonderful countryside on two wheels.
Rutland is a cycling-mad county with plenty of routes to enjoy, as demonstrated by the 105 mile Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic event taking place on 24th April 2022! This epic race is known around the World and is based upon the legendary Paris – Roubaix and Ronde van Vlaanderen spring classic races of Northern Europe, taking competitors where no other British race dares; on and off road, providing a course as near to a continental classic as it is possible to create within Britain.
If racing is not your thing, enjoy the picturesque route around Rutland Water, with a 23-mile circular track for mainly traffic-free walking and cycling, or cut out the peninsular to make it a 17 mile excursion instead!
First stop: we’d recommend popping into the award-winning Rutland Cycling hire centre and bike shop at Whitwell on the north shore. It has a huge range of all the latest cycling gear, accessories, bikes, as well as protein bars and sports drinks to help keep you going on your cycling adventure. For a fun, healthy day out, Rutland Cycling makes it easy for you with route maps, child carriers, gel saddle covers and plenty of refreshments en route. Full-day, long-term and group rates are available, plus student offers. There are also E-bikes on offer if you’re looking for something a little more sedate but don’t want to miss out on the cycling experience. Alternatively, you can hire a tandem, perfect for a romantic day out.
After leaving Whitwell and following the cycle route, you can start to enjoy being surrounded by nature. Keep a watch out across the water for resident ospreys. Rutland Water is home to the first ospreys to breed in England for 150 years and we start to get sightings of them as they return from Africa in spring.
As you reach Egleton take some time to explore the Rutland Nature Reserve. The site is managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust in partnership with Anglian Water and provides one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in Great Britain, regularly holding in excess of 25,000 waterfowl. There are over 30 bird-watching hides and nature trails from two visitor centres with experts to help you with wildlife identification.
Your cycle route continues past Gunthorpe and on towards the village of Manton. This tiny village used to have its own railway station but it was closed in the 1960s and the station building is now a commercial premises. Manton is home to the award-winning Horse and Jockey, the only pub directly on the cycle route. It’s a traditional country inn with open fires, stone floors and low beams. It has a wide choice of fine wines and real ales and a sunny patio area that is popular with cyclists and walkers during the summer months.
Horse & Jockey, Manton, with plenty of bike racks!
Now you have passed the half way point and suitably refreshed, you can continue your cycle journey towards the Nature Reserve at Lyndon. The Lyndon Visitor Centre was originally opened by Sir David Attenborough in 1985 and offers birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts a chance to view a wide range of wildlife from this peaceful spot. In addition, there’s a self-guided trail that leads visitors through a variety of habitats ranging from old and newly-created woodland to ponds full of aquatic life. There’s also a set of birdwatching hides that overlook the water.
A superb stretch of cycling opens up before you as you leave the Nature Reserve with views of boats bobbing on sparkling waters stretching out from Rutland Sailing Club which lies on the shore. Keep pedalling and you’ll soon reach Rutland Water’s famous landmark, Normanton Church.
Cycle across the Dam at Empingham and you’re within a stone’s throw of where you started. The gentle paths will lead you past the entrance to Rutland Watersports and back up to where you set off from at Rutland Cycling, Whitwell.
You’ll find every visit to Rutland Water offers something different. With fabulous wildlife, exciting nature reserves and great opportunities to stop and take in the views, we hope you’ll continue to discover Rutland and let us help you plan your next adventure.
