Lake District

Where does it start? Windermere               

Where does it end? Windermere

How long is it? 65 miles

Why’s it great?

The Lake District has a lot to offer, even in the space of a day. Start from Windermere, take the boat across to the west shore and start exploring. There’s the famous Wrynose Pass as well as the steepest pass of them all, Hardknott. If you have the time you could even venture further to the north to ride the Honister Pass. Picturesque villages and unspoilt views make for a scenic exploration, with any bike capable of roaming these parts; in some ways, the smaller the better. The ride along the shores of Coniston Waters is a pleasant one, with all facilities found in Coniston village.

What do I need to know? 

Nothing really. Just go out and enjoy it. There are good cafés around, and with a decent map it’s very hard to get lost in the Lake District as most of the routes are circular.

Anything else? 

The good thing about the Lake District is that it’s very easy to link it up with runs around the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland. Five days in this region could see you riding some of the best roads in this list of ten. Make them weekdays in the shoulder season and it wouldn’t even be busy, and accommodation options would be plentiful.