Flitch Way (Braintree - Little Dunmow Essex)

The ride begins at Braintree station, at an access point near the car park. Braintree is at the junction of Roman roads from Chelmsford and Colchester, and became a thriving industrial centre by the 19th century, partly thanks to the coming of the railway. The Braintree to Bishop's Stortford line, decommissioned in 1972, now enjoys a new lease of life as a country park full of railway cuttings rich in wildlife dotted with attractive Victorian stations.

Epping Forest

Epping Forest stretches for about 12 miles, running from the town of Epping to Wanstead in East London. Noted for its fine woodlands (hornbeams, beech and oak - some pollarded), heath, reed fringed ponds and grassland - much of the forest has been designated a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’. Look out for deer, woodpeckers and wildfowl that live on the artificial ponds and lakes (great crested glebe, widgeon and gadwall). There are also many different types of plants, trees, fungi and shrubs, these attracting rare and endangered insects. Visitors to the forest can enjoy walking and mountain-bike trails, horse riding and fishing or quiet areas for a family picnic.

Wandle Trail

The Wandle Trail is a fantastic, mainly off-road, route that follows the River Wandle from its mouth with the River Thames in Wandsworth. The river has been used since the industrial revolution, offering glimpses into local history. Parks and green spaces lie on the route, providing a great opportunity to see local wildlifealong with numerous cafes, pubs and restaurants and local attractions. The 12 mile route offers a fantastic day out for people of all ages, for those on foot and on bike. New signage will soon be appearing along the Wandle Trail.

Wells & Holkham Circuit

This ride is a 10 mile circular route for cyclists and walkers, using part of National Route 1 and the Norfolk Coast Cycleway. Attractions include the Holkham Estate and the Holkham National Nature reserve. The estate welcomes visitors by bicycle. Secure bicycle racks can be found in the Pottery Yard next to the Stables restaurant and the Pottery shop. The wells & Holkham circuit is an autostrada for cyclists which sneaks along quiet side-roads and rough tracks on the east side of Britain from Dover to, ultimately, the Shetland Isles.

The Great North Way

The Great North Way goes from the edge of London at Hadley Wood, north through Hertfordshire to the border with Bedfordshire at Stotfold. Hertfordshire has some great countryside to explore. Get in the saddle and ride the Great North Way! This cycle route takes you from town into countryside using quiet lanes and traffic free sections. You may not want to cycle all of the route, but why not ride part of it? Refreshments can be found in the pubs and cafes on route. The Great North Way is surfaced to a good standard throughout so is suitable for cyclists of all ages.

Grand Union Canal

The new path is a great improvement to the canal, and will enable cyclists to enjoy the waterway and surrounding countryside. The works will also benefit anglers, boaters and walkers who regularly use the canal between Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes, making it easier for more people to enjoy the delights of the canal system. The trunk route of Britain's canal network, the picturesque Grand Union links London through the Chilterns with Birmingham via the longest single canal in Britain.

Marriotts way

The Marriott's Way is a peaceful and secluded ride along the former railway line between Hellesdon, on the north-west fringe of Norwich, and Aylsham. It passes through typical lowland arable fields, woods and water meadows near to the river Wensum, before going on to the slightly higher and drier lands beyond Reepham. The Way is 21 miles long, and is available to walkers, horseriders and cyclists. The whole route is waymarked in the brown and cream livery colours of the former Midland and Great Northern Railway (M&GN), which once operated one of the lines that now form the Marriott's Way.

Cycle to the Wash

From - King's Lynn to: Shepherd's Port via Snettisham
Length: 15 miles
Type: Quiet roads and some traffic-free sections

Explore the traditional cycling country of West Norfolk. It begins at the railway station in the bustling town of King's Lynn and takes you out of the town on a traffic-free path through parkland and following a disused railway. The route continues on-road through the woodlands of Ling Common, until you come to the attractive village of Castle Rising, with its impressive 12th century castle and 17th century almshouses. You then join a closed road which takes you onto the cycle track alongside the A149. Ignore the first turn-off for the B1439 and follow the Route 1 signs towards the Royal Estate at Sandringham. Tea is served at the visitor centre. The route continues along the road to Snettisham, where this ride leaves the way marked route and heads westwards for the coast at Shepherd's Port.

Alban Way

From- St Albans to: Hatfield
Length: 6.5 miles
Type: Disused railway path

National Cycle Network Route Number 61

The Alban Way is a trail for cyclists and walkers along a former railway line. The Alban Way has a smooth surface, suitable for all users, with lighting at the Hatfield end. It has many access points, most of which are ramped or level. It provides a route for leisure, commuting and safe routes to school. Links to fishing lakes, St Albans Abbey, university campus, Hatfield Galleria and Hatfield House.

Hertfordshire Greenways

From: Wheathampsted - Ware via Welwyn Gdn City & Hertford
Length: 15 miles
Type: Mixture of disused railway paths, canal towpath and on-road links. National Cycle Route Network Numbers 57, 12 & 61

The Ayot Greenway links Welwyn Garden City with Wheathampstead. Ideal for walking and cycling, this predominantly traffic free route follows the former railway line that ran to Luton. Take a picnic to Robinsons Wood or explore one of the many footpaths off the greenway. In wet conditions parts of the path can get quite muddy, but there are plans to improve the surface. Some on-road links through Welwyn take you on to the Cole Green Way to Hertford. The rural section follows a former railway suitable for cyclists. There are links at both ends into Welwyn and Hertford town centres. The link through Hertford joins the towpath along the River Lea, taking you to Ware and beyond. It is signposted through the town centre.

Waterlink Way

Length: 7 miles one way
Type: On and off road
Access: Stations on route - Kent House, Lower Sydenham, Ladywell, Lewisham & Greenwich National Cycle Route Network Number 21

The Waterlink way is an established part of the National Cycle Network and connects a number of parks and green spaces in South East London while following the Pool and Ravensbourne Rivers. The route is very accessible, with a large number of stations on route, allowing the distance cycled to be easily tailored to meet your needs. The route finishes in Greenwich and gives easy access to attractions such as the Old Royal Naval College and Cutty Sark. For those of you who want to travel a little further, National Route 4 runs west along the Thames towards central London while National Route 1 also passes through Greenwich.

Phoenix Trail

From: Thame to Princes Risborough
Length: 5 miles
Type: Shared use path for walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users and horseriders National Cycle Route Network Number 57

The Phoenix Trail has something to suit everyone, whether it's a quick, traffic-free cycle ride between Princes Risborough and Thame or somewhere safe to teach your child to ride their first bicycle. Sit on the sculptures, which are dotted along the trail, to admire the magnificent views of the nearby Chiltern Hills and observe Red Kites, the impressive birds of prey that thrive in the area. The Pheonix Trail gives you the chance to get out into the fresh air all year round. The first 2.5 miles out of Thame are surfaced with tarmac and the remainder with compacted limestone dust