DAY 1

Upon checking into your hotel in the heart of Ludlow, you can go straight to visit its castle before dining out in one of the town’s many restaurants.
The Feathers Hotel, Ludlow

DAY 2

This morning, after being fit to your bicycle, you ride west out of bustling Ludlow into open country along the Teme Valley, winding through protected nature reserves along the River Lugg, where otters and orchids thrive below hilltop forests of yellow gorse. You freewheel into water meadows entering the Welsh Marches to reach the gorgeous market town of Presteigne, where your half-timbered black-and-white Victorian hotel awaits with an invitingly sunny beer garden—ideal for a drink before dinner.
The Radnorshire Arms Hotel, Presteigne

DAY 3

The scenery becomes wilder as you continue west through valleys of oak below hilltops crowned with wild moorland. You can choose between an easy 20-mile ride leading across the floodplains of the River Wye, or try a challenging 40-mile route looping into Wales, leading through fairytale hidden valleys where you can stop to paddle in crystal streams. Refuel with homemade tea and cake in the afternoon in a converted station (longer route), and on arrival in Hay take a stroll into town to enjoy the pubs and bookshops.
The Swan Hotel, Hay-on-Wye

DAY 4

Hay—a tiny market town on the Welsh-English border—is world famous for its literary festival and amazing range of bookshops—some of them outdoors! Today you take a break from your bike and explore a local riverside walk, or if you choose to take your bike, an easy ride takes you out to 9th-century Crannog, a Royal Celtic dwelling on an island in Llangorse Lake—a designated nature reserve full of curlew and dippers (28 miles round trip). If you want more of a challenge, you can head into the Black Mountains up to Gospel Pass for incredible views over the Wye Valley, before a long coast back to Hay (16 miles). Notes are provided for both excursions.
The Swan Hotel, Hay-on-Wye

DAY 5

Cherry blossoms in the hedgerows and poplar trees dotted with mistletoe lead you from Wales into Herefordshire where hills and valleys are replaced by cider orchards and hop fields! You may be tempted to stop for a tipple in Dunketon Cider Mill as you pass by. A historic Georgian dovecote by the River Arrow in Eardisland is a charming site before arriving into Kingsland. Here take time to explore the church, the site of a mass grave from the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross in 1461—a spooky evening stroll!
The Corners, Kingsland

DAY 6

An easy last day brings you back into Shropshire crossing from the valley of the River Lugg to the River Teme once again. You pass the oldest timber structure in the United Kingdom—the wooden bell tower in Yarpole dating from the tenth century. You may choose to visit either 14th-century Croft Castle for lunch in its gorgeous tearooms, or bring your own picnic to Croft Ambrey, a beautifully preserved Iron Age fort dating from 390 BC, and from whose ramparts you can see 14 English counties! Both sites are National Trust properties and are well worth a visit.

You drop off your bike in Elton in the afternoon at the tour’s conclusion and continue your onward travels.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Night 1

The Feathers Hotel
Ludlow, England

A half-timbered coaching inn set in the heart of what is called the most beautiful small town in England. The comfortable bedrooms have modern furniture and bold colors. Downstairs are a bar and dining area, and upstairs are two stunning oak-paneled public rooms with creaky floors and antique furnishings. It is just a five-minute walk to Ludlow castle, in the center of the medieval town with over 500 national historic buildings. Once the capital of Wales and the border counties (the Marches), the architecture of the hotel and other structures reflects its historic importance.

Night 2

The Radnorshire Arms Hotel
Presteigne, England

This large 16th-century, black-and-white, half-timbered coaching inn has a grand but cozy atmosphere with oak-paneled public rooms, a bar, and large garden. Guestrooms have leaded windows, some with exposed beams, and all are individually decorated with antiques. The hotel is in the center of Presteigne, a charming, historic market town with an interesting church, museum, and many music and other festivals held throughout the summer.

Nights 3 & 4

The Swan Hotel
Hay-on-Wye, England

A honey-colored stone restored coaching inn from the Georgian period in the heart of the quaint town of Hay-on-Wye. Comfortable bedrooms are decorated in English country-house style. On the ground floor are spacious public rooms, a small bistro and bar, and extensive gardens in which to relax and enjoy a drink or dinner. The town has a Norman castle and is known for its literary festival and over 50 second-hand bookshops!

Night 5

The Corners Inn
Kingsland, Herefordshire, England

This 16th-century restored inn is located at the heart of an idyllic black-and-white half-timbered village. Contemporary well-appointed accommodations are in a separate modern wooden wing with private entrances. The historic restaurant and bar with exposed beams offer high-quality local cuisine and beers and ciders. On the original coaching road from London to Wales, the town of Kingsland is associated with the history of the medieval Wigmore family, whose castle is nearby, as well as the site of the 15th-century Battle of Mortimer’s Cross.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.