Cycle Hire
If you don’t have a cycle with you when you visit the area but fancy a cycle ride why not hire one. There is currently nowhere in Glastonbury that offer cycle hire but out of town, Cheddar Bikes (13 miles from Glastonbury) do:
A: Lower North St. CHEDDAR, BS27 3HA
WWW: Cheddar Bikes
T: 07864329840
Somerton Electric Bike Rentals offer a delivery service for their fleet of hybrid e-bikes to your holiday accommodation. Just give them a call, text or message on Facebook or Instagram and they will deliver the bikes for you to enjoy all day, or for multiple days of your holiday! £25 per bike per day.
WWW: Somerton Electric Bike Rentals – Facebook
Instagram: Somerton Electric Bike Rentals
T: 07394 911276
Anyone staying at Isle of Avalon (camping, glamping, caravans/motorhomes) can hire a bike for just £10 a day.
For a different way to explore the area, you can hire a tandem from Somerset Tandem Hire in nearby Pitney:
WWW: Somerset Tandem Hire – Facebook
T: 07787 723003
Clubs & Rides
If you are looking to ride with a local group, Mendip Cycling Club meet up every Sunday at the bottom of Glastonbury High Street at 0900 all year round. Distance and route is usually decided on the day as it depends on who turns up. Connect with Mendip Cycling Club via their Facebook group here The club also have details of routes and rides on their YouTube channel here
Maps
- Somerset Levels Cycle Map by Sustran
This area map shows the National Cycle Network (NCN) and local routes in this area. It covers the Somerset Levels area including Bristol, Bath, Glastonbury, Wells, Minehead and Yeovil.
This pocket-sized colour map shows clearly mapped on-road and traffic-free paths, easy to read contours, and detailed inset maps for the major towns and cities as well as recommended linking routes connecting the NCN with quiet roads. The map also features 5 day rides with directions and a description of the area, highlighting key cycle routes, local history and places of interest.
These major routes are covered on the map:
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- National Route 31 – West Country Way between Bristol & Dulverton
- National Route 4 – Bristol & Bath Railway Path
- National Route 24 – between Bath and Frome including The Colliers Way
- National Route 26 – The Strawberry Line between Yatton & Cheddar, and between Glastonbury and Yeovil
- National Route 33 – between Bristol and Nailsea (Festival Way) and Weston-super-Mare to Ilminster (Stop Line Way)
- National Route 339 – between Barrington and Bridgwater
- National Route 410 – the Avon Cycle Way – the southern half of this circular route
- Regional Route 30 between Somerton and Castle Cary and Ilminster to North Coker
The map can be purchased online here
[1 The section of Route 3 passing through Glastonbury forms part of the EuroVelo 1 (EV1), named the Atlantic Coast Route, which is a 8,186 km (5,087 mile) long-distance cycling route running from North Cape in Norway to Sagres in Portugal.]
- Avalon Marshes Map
A free map of the Avalon Marshes that includes locations of Nature Reserves, National Cycle Network and local cycle routes within the Avalon Marshes can be downloaded here
Routes
- Bittern Trail – The Bittern Trail is a family friendly cycle trail which links the town of Glastonbury with the Avalon Marshes Centre. It is a four mile (6.4 km) long, tranquil, mainly traffic free, route running through the heart of Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath nature reserves. The route is flat and fully surfaced and is ideal for families. As you travel along it you can immerse yourself in a landscape teeming with wildlife and steeped in both history and mythology. When you arrive at the Avalon marshes Centre you can refresh yourself at the cafe, find information about the area and purchase local arts and crafts. Please note the route is shared between families, people on foot and cyclists and is not suitable for large or fast groups of cyclists. Please be respectful of other users and note that pedestrians have priority over cyclists.
To find out more you can pick up a Bittern Trail leaflet at Glastonbury Information Centre or from the Avalon Marshes Centre or download a copy here
- Heritage Cycle Routes
Four circular cycle routes produced by the Avalon Marshes which take in the best of the area and tell you about the heritage you will find along the way. All of the routes are suitable for road bikes and include lots of opportunities for refreshment:
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- Cider & Cripps – 11 Miles (17 km) – Easy with with one short hill climb
This interesting cycle route takes you around the north western corner of the Avalon Marshes area. Lots of pubs and even a Cider Farm along the route! The villages of Mark or East Huntspill make good starting points. Download a copy of the route here
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- Eastern Moors – 13 Miles (21 km) – Easy (with two short sections of busy main road)
This cycle route explores the eastern marshes including Queen’s Sedge Moor, Hearty Moor, Kennard Moor and the green fringes of the Isle of Avalon. Download a copy of the route here
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- Reserves & Lake Villages – 16 Miles (26 km) – Flat (other than some bumpy bits!)
Covering the central Avalon Marshes, this route takes in three National Nature Reserves and the sites of the Lake Villages. Plenty of places for refreshment along the route. Download a copy of the route here
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- Roman Saltworks & Peat Moors – 18 Miles (29 km) or two shorter loops – A climb onto the Polden Ridge
This route links the Avalon Marshes Centre and the villages of Westhay, Burtle, Edington, Chilton Polden and Cossington. It takes you through a landscape of big skies and long views. There is lots of history and heritage on the way (and several refreshment stops). Download a copy of the route here
Cycle Routes Online
Lots of Somerset cycle routes have been documented online:
- The Glastonbury Cycleway – 18 mile (29 km) long circuit around the Glastonbury area and includes The Bittern Trail, 3 National Nature Reserves, all of National Cycle Network Route 3 that passes through Glastonbury and Glastonbury Tor! The route includes several points of interest and refreshment stops along the way to break up the adventure.
Books No Longer In Print (you may find secondhand)
- Cycling in Somerset by David Cheetham (ISBN: 978-1874336259) – 24 circular rides exploring the best of Somerset’s countryside.
- Cycling in Somerset & Wiltshire by Collins (ISBN: 978-0004489414) – 25 fully mapped cycle tours
- Cycle Tours: 24 One-day Routes in Avon, Somerset & Wiltshire by Nick Cotton (ISBN: 978-0600586647)
- Cycle Tours: Dorset and Somerset (ISBN: 978-0540082001)
Events
When it comes to cycling events, Glastonbury’s claim to fame is the 5th stage of the Tour of Britain in 2010 finished in Glastonbury. The only regular cycling events centred in Glastonbury are the Beyond Somerset Sportives (39 – 103 miles, 64 – 167 km) organised by Beyond Events starting and finishing at Glastonbury F.C. The key events in the cycling calendar that pass through Glastonbury are:
- Mendips Sportive – Strode College in Street (for all Sportive events visit Sportive.com)
- The Mendips Classic – Street – 73 miles – July – list of all Gran Fondo events visit Granfondo.com
- The Somerset 100 – Sweets Tea Rooms near Wedmore – xx miles – May –
- Tour of Wessex – Langport
Cycling from Glastonbury – Best Halfway Stop Cafes
if you are planning a day ride be sure to include a stop for coffee and cake!
Guided Rides
The Mendip Activity Centre provide experienced Mountain Bike Leaders to take you off road across the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The trails and routes will be tailored to your ability. More details here
Route Planners
Spares and Repairs
There are no specialist bike shops or bike mechanics in Glastonbury, but Lintells Garage (Lintells Cycles) offers basic spares and repairs:
A: 140 Wells Road, GLASTONBURY, BA6 9EQ
T: 01458 832117
Out of town try the following…
- Halfords – Wells – 6 miles from Glastonbury – spares, servicing and repairs
A: Westfield Road, WELLS, BA5 2HS
WWW: Halfords – Wells
T: 01749 685170
- Bike City – 6 miles from the centre of Glastonbury – bike shop providing spares and repairs
A: 8 Queen St, WELLS, BA5 2DP
WWW: Bike City
T: 01749 670002
- Grand Tor Cycling [Recommended] – 6 miles from Glastonbury – mobile servicing and repairs covering Wells, Glastonbury, Street, Shepton Mallet, Castle Cary, Somerton, Cheddar and Langford
WWW: Grand Tor Cycling
T: 07796239640
- Mendip Cycle Servicing – 10 miles from Glastonbury – servicing and repairs with free collection and delivery service covering towns within a 15-mile radius of Shepton Mallet, including Wells, Frome, Midsomer Norton, Street, Glastonbury and surrounding areas.
A: 16 Trajans Way, SHEPTON MALLET, BA4 4TW
WWW: Mendip Cycle Servicing
T: 07777 675 631
- Strawberry Line Cycles – 13 miles from Glastonbury – mobile servicing and repairs covering the Strawberry Line and beyond including Somerset, Weston-super-Mare, Bristol and the Mendips
WWW: Strawberry Line Cycles
T: 07795 547446
- Cheddar Bikes -13 miles from Glastonbury – bike hire, workshop and spares
A: Lower North St. CHEDDAR, BS27 3HA
WWW: Cheddar Bikes
T: 07864329840
Do you know of any good resources for cyclists wanting to explore the Glastonbury area?
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