Cycling in the North Pennines & Cumbria

North Pennines

Our cyclist guests at Cranmore House and Camellia Cottage find that the North Pennines offers exhilarating rides, with the high, twisty roads, off road moor tracks or quiet remote roads with spectacular views. Both offer secure/dry cycle storage, just ask.

Both cottages are located on the A689, which is on the famous C2C (or Sea to Sea) cycling route that stretches from Sunderland to Workington, Cumbria, splits England in two and joins the Irish sea to the North Sea. The most popular route is west to east, so starting in Cumbria. As tradition goes, riders dip their back wheel in the Irish sea and their front wheel in the North Sea when completed! We are also close to the Pennines Cycleway and the Walney to Wear & Whitby route.

In September 2021, our cottages gained a front seat to the Tour of Britain when just in front of our front doors, having just climbed the King of the Mountains ascent at Hartside (15 minutes away) , and heading towards another King of the Mountains ascent at Killhope Cross just 4 minutes away from us! Being located on the highest route in England means that cyclists here are rewarded with magical vistas resplendent of the natural beauty that the North Pennines AONB has to offer. We are so lucky to be situated in this magnificent area and we are thrilled that we can share it with some of you.

Some suggestions for other cycling routes:

North Pennines Packhorse Trail (starts in Nenthead Mines car park, just a short walk from our cottages)

Western Lake District

Our guests at Sycamore Cottage, Marie’s Cottage and Lane Croft Cottage are all welcome to bring their bicycles and explore this magical area.

There are many routes to take for cycling. One of my own favourites in the area is Cogra Moss just a short drive away, Cleator Moor to Rowrah Cycle Route (the next village on), the roads along Crummock water, Loweswater, Grizedale Forest and the Maryport to Allonby cycle route that takes you along the coast either starting at Allonby or Maryport promenade.