National Cycle Route 13
Lavenham
Overview
Is this the most eclectic of all cycling routes in the UK? it begins handsomely enough at the Tower of London and passes the old London docks, now more Disney film set than heart of Empire. Then it is out onto the wild lands of the Thames Estuary, where industry and nature co-habit. You ride on some of the world’s largest land fill sites, although you would not know it, for the way is rural, natural and hauntingly beautiful. Leaving the river, the way heads north into Essex, to the first night’s stop at Maldon, a town famed for its Thames barges, oysters and salt. The next day, the route heads north through Constable country to Bury St. Edmunds, a beautiful town. The scenery is a complete contrast to the first day - open and tranquil countryside, thatched cottages and pretty villages. The official end of the NCN 13 route is at Dereham, a market town of no great distinction. If you have time, I suggest you continue on the route marked below to Kings Lynn, passing through the forests and flints of North Norfolk to finish at one of England’s most historic towns and best preserved towns, where there are great train connections back to London.
Ride details
Distance: 260km
Start/finish point: The Tower of London/ King’s Lynn
Nearest Local Overground station: Fenchurch Street/ King’s Lynn
Type of Cycling: Road and Bridleways. Some rough sections of rutted or flint paths
Time needed: 3 days - ideally. Maldon, Bury St. Edmunds and King’s Lynn are definitely worth stopping at. Along the route are plenty of other places of interest - Thurrock Nature reserves, Lavenham, Castle Acre, to name but three.
Difficulty: Moderate
Traffic and surface: Much of the route is traffic-free on Bridleways or segregated cycleways or on very quiet backroads.
Cycle Paths: National Cycle Network 13
Overnight stays (camping): Chigborough Farm, near Maldon; Park Farm, Swanton Morley.
What to see: The Tower of London, Wapping, Poplar, Limehouse, The Royal Docks, Beckton, Rainham Church, Rainham Marshes, The Concrete Barges and the Diver. Maldon, Lavenham, Thetford, Thetford Forest.
What to visit: The Tower of London, Rainham Hall (NT) RSPB Sanctuary, Thames Sailing Barge trip, Maldon, Layer Marney Tower, Tiptree Jam Teahpose and Museum, Colchester Castle and Museum, Lavenham Guild Hall, Kentwell Hall,, Melford Hall (NT), Edmonsbury Cathedral, Thetford Priory, Ancient House Museum, Thetford.
Links to other rides: Chiswick to Greenwich, The Tower to Rainham Marshes, Ingrebourne Way (Route 136) Riding the rivers Lee, Roding, Ingrebourne and Thames
Have you ridden this ride?
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