If you are in the market for a slightly more demanding holiday than your usual week by the pool, combined with value for money that won’t see you reaching for your savings, why not consider a cycling holiday in the UK? If this tickles your fancy you might be interested in the famous 147-mile ‘Coast to Coast’ trail, an ideal way to fill up a long (and tiring) weekend.

The trail is traditionally commenced with the dipping of your rear wheel into the Irish Sea, at your start point in the Cumbrian town of Whitehaven and ends when your front wheel hits the North Sea at your final destination, Sunderland. In between these two events and the navigation from the west coast to the east coast of England, you will certainly have a lot of cycling to do.

Starting in the mining towns and villages of Cumbria, the trail will take you through the majestic scenery of the Lake District and the Eden Valley, which offer some of the most breathtaking views and landscapes that the UK has to offer.

Occasionally challenging, always inspiring, the trail takes you along small country roads, disused railway lines and the occasional off-road section. The route, although complete with a few hefty climbs, is suitable for everyone from the most experienced cyclists to parents with children, with specially-created, smooth cycle paths as alternative routes to the more challenging off-road sections.

It’s not just the cycling to get excited about, with some exceptional B&Bs, pubs and restaurants along the route – so be sure to plan your journey with this in mind. For your first nights stay, why not stop off in Cockermouth. Widely considered as one of the most beautiful towns in the north west, Cockermouth has been designated as a ‘Gem Town’ by the Department of the Environment, which essentially means it will be as beautiful and unspoilt in 10 years as it is today.

For a great place to stay in Cockermouth, you might want to consider the Riverside B&B.

Located in a beautiful Georgian building, this bed and breakfast has provides comfortable beds, an excellent breakfast and, importantly, a bike lock-up facility. If you are feeling thirsty after a long day in the saddle, try the Bitter End Brew pub, which has a cosy atmosphere and a lovely log fire to warm you up if the weather has been less than clement.