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The 2024 Travel Trend Report by Verdant Leisure shows that 91% of respondents are planning on taking a staycation within the UK throughout 2024. With the ongoing increases in the cost of living, more holidaymakers will likely reassess how they spend their time off to stay within budgets, and staycations could be the answer for many.
Plus, it gives you the opportunity to use these trips to explore your hobbies and combine them with your holiday. This is why Ben Mercer, mountain bike enthusiast and director at bike business, Leisure Lakes Bikes, has offered some of the best options for cycling breaks in his local region of the North West that you can make into a budget-friendly staycation.
A day of cycling around Liverpool
While other entries into this list involve rolling greenery and country views, a city break can still revolve around cycling. Liverpool is a prime example of this, and there are plenty of cycling-centric activities for you or a group to do in the heart of one of the most exciting cities in the country.
For groups of up to 10, you can explore the city in around 90 minutes with a bike tour that’s available from £25 per person. And if that doesn’t satisfy your explorative side, for fans of The Beatles, there’s the Half-Day Liverpool Electric Beatles Bike Tour. With a duration of around three and a half hours and from £45 per person, you can explore important landmarks in the band’s history, from John and Paul’s homes where they grew up, Penny Lane, and even the grave of Eleanor Rigby.
Ben Mercer outlines the benefit of building cycling breaks within a single city:
“These trips can be especially budget-friendly through a few smart choices. Cities, where you have multiple choices for bike tours and routes, mean you only really need to think about your travel and accommodation for the main section of your budget.
“Allow yourself more time in a single location to fully experience everything it has to offer so you can make the most of your visit. Plus, more of your budget can be put towards finding the right accommodation while on holiday.”
A great hack you can incorporate into your visit of the beautiful city is by using this trip to capitalise on the city’s proximity to other key cities in the North West. Trains between Liverpool and Manchester can run from as low as £3.60, meaning you can travel between the two at not a lot of cost and discover all that both have to offer.
The Lake District – the perfect backdrop for a cycling escape
The Lake District offers landscapes and tranquil lakesides that make for the perfect holiday destination. The best part for cyclists is the variety of routes for all skill levels, with the National Trust even having a dedicated page on their site outlining the bike routes and places to stay when visiting the area.
One of the biggest positives of the area is the sheer scale of it and to go with it, there are plenty of quality hotels and places to stay at varying price points. Price comparison sites like Kayak are a great way to scout out places to stay, with options starting as low as £49 pp for a night, meaning you can find the right place for your budget.
With its affordable accommodation options and the rolling hills and greenery, it’s an obvious choice for cycling lovers who want to explore the variety of trails and even test their abilities.
The many cycling routes of Lancashire
The county of Lancashire is located on the western coast of England and encompasses several noteworthy towns, such as Blackpool, Blackburn, and Preston. This coastline region also contains the Lancashire Cycleway, which is two roughly 130-mile loops that run along the fantastic scenery of the county, making it a perfect option for those looking for a breathtaking cycle break to detach from day-to-day life.
Lancashire also has a range of routes that can be followed to suit skill levels for intermediate and expert riders, which Komoot outlines in a top ten guide of some of the best to follow when staying in the area. Plus, there are plenty of accommodation options across the county from as low as under £100 per night on Airbnb, so you can schedule a break that gives you enough time to cover as much of the coastal scenery without breaking the bank.
Coast-to-coast – for the experienced cyclists
Staycations don’t mean you have to stay in one location; they can be interpreted as just staying in the country that you live in. So, for experienced cyclists, a fantastic option for a cycling break is dedicating a few days to a coast-to-coast cycling trip.
This one has many options, including a rendezvous point and number of days in the saddle. It can range from three to five days, both assisted and unassisted, and there are even options to cover the full distance in a single day, which is around 150 miles! While these trips can vary in price, they’re economical for experienced cyclists and will create memories to last a lifetime, whether you go by yourself or with a fellow enthusiast.
Changing up your holiday plans with budget-friendly cycling breaks and staycations in the North West is an excellent way to enjoy a memorable vacation without straining your finances. By carefully planning your trip, taking advantage of early booking discounts, and exploring affordable accommodation options, you can experience the beauty of this diverse region while keeping costs down.
Sources
https://www.verdantleisure.co.uk/our-journal/travel-trend-report-2024/
https://www.thetrainline.com/train-times/liverpool-to-manchester
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/lake-district/active/cycling
https://www.kayak.co.uk/Lake-District-National-Park-Hotels.f129.dr.html
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-other-routes/lancashire-cycleway