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Cycling-related information for tourists and visitors to Cambridge

Maps and Cycling Information

If you're looking for maps of Cambridge and the surrounding area, many of the bookshops in Cambridge (and there are lots) sell local maps. There are also a number of booklets and leaflets describing rides in the area.

We've helped produce a new cycle route map for the City which is now into its second edition. There's an on-line copy and if you contact us with a stamped-addressed envelope, we will send you a printed one. You may also be able to find one at the tourist information centre.

The Tourist Information Centre has much information for visitors:

Tourist Information Centre Wheeler Street
Cambridge CB2 3QB
01223 - 322640
tourism@cambridge.gov.uk

Hiring bikes

If you're visiting the area for a few days, why not rent a bike and see the countryside?

There are plenty of shops in Cambridge which rent bikes. There is a list called Bike Hire in Cambridge on the University of Cambridge Web site. The Tourist Information Centre also has a list.

We ourselves (Cambridge Cycling Campaign) do NOT offer bike hire services.

Bikes on trains

Despite restrictions on bikes on trains around the country, it's still comparatively easy to take a bike on some trains to and from Cambridge.

Trains from London Kings Cross and London Liverpool Street are operated by WAGN. There is a very frequent service which takes between 50 and 90 minutes (the twice-hourly Cambridge Cruiser at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour in both directions is the fastest, via Kings Cross).

On most WAGN trains you can take bikes in the doorways. The exceptions are morning peak time services into Cambridge and London. You can leave Cambridge in the morning peak with a bike to the suburban stations along the way.

We understand that:

WAGN also operates services from Kings Lynn and Ely, which, again except for a few trains in the morning peak into Cambridge, take bikes in the doorways.

From the north (via Peterborough) and Norwich the operator is Central Trains. These are more restricted: there is only space for two bikes and you must book and pay 3 pounds. You can book any time up to departure if there is space, which there often is.

Central Trains also operate to and from Stansted Airport. Bikes can be taken on most planes: many of the low cost airlines operate out of Stansted to cities across Europe and will carry bikes at a modest extra charge. Be prepared to let down tyres and turn handlebars.

Anglia Trains, which operates through much of East Anglia, but only on the line to Newmarket, Bury StEdmunds and Ipswich to and from Cambridge has special racks on its local services, and can typically carry four bikes. No need to reserve, and pay 1 pound on the train.

England's Cycling Country

The East of England Tourist Board 'England's Cycling Country' scheme is a great source of information for cyclists new to the area. Their information packs (cost £5 including package and posting) are packed with details of cycle rides. Three packs are available:

There's also a booklet, called 'England's Cycling Country', with summaries of all the rides, and lots of extra information about

Information is available from:

East of England Tourist Board
Toppesfield Hall
Hadleigh
Suffolk IP7 5DN
Tel: +44 - 1473 - 822922
Fax: +44 - 1473 - 823063

Hull to Harwich

If you want to go even further afield, you could try part, or all, of the "Eastern Heritage Cycle Route". Joining the ferry ports of Hull and Harwich, this 370 mile (590km) route travels along minor country roads, cycle tracks, disused railways and river banks.

More information is available from:

Linconshire Tourism,
Lincoln Castle,
Lincoln,
LN1 3AA, UK.
Tel: +44 - 1522 - 526450
Fax: +44 - 1522 - 526431

Other Information

The University of Cambridge website has an extremely useful set of pages entitled Cambridge area information.