One of the best ways to explore Bath is on two wheels, and not only in the centre. The city is lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful countryside, so it’s easy to get out and enjoy a pleasant afternoon’s cycling in stunning natural surroundings.

Here’s your guide to biking in Bath this summer…

The bike

You don’t need to bring your own bike with you to enjoy a cycling adventure in Bath, although there is ample bicycle parking in the centre of Bath. Weekend visitors may find it much more convenient to simply hire a bike for your stay, and there are many options available. For example:

• Nextbike – a city-wide bike hire scheme allowing you to sign up online and pick up a sturdy cycle from one of nine station terminals around Bath. It’s affordable, easy and extremely convenient.
• Bathbikehire.com – based on Sydney Wharf, this is another recommended place to hire bikes with a range of adult and children’s mountain bikes available at reasonable prices

In the city

The great thing about Bath is that many of its best attractions are clustered close together in the heart of the city centre, making it easy to get around all of them. However, there are so many to see that having a bike at your disposal can make it much less tiring! You can visit more in one day, seeing all of Bath’s best sights from the saddle without wearing out the soles of your shoes.

Many venues offer cycle parking and there are also cycle stands situated throughout the city centre, making it much easier to leave your bike somewhere than it would be to park a car.

Out in the countryside

If you’d really like to make a day of it and cycle out into the country, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are lots of different routes to try, for cyclists of all abilities and some with truly exceptional scenery. Here are just a selection:

• Kennet and Avon Canal Path – known as Britain’s most popular long-distance waterside cycle route, this attractive route is available to cyclists once you leave Bath but you will need to watch out for walkers, anglers and boaters. You can travel to Bristol, take in the dramatic Caen Hills Locks at Devizes and even see the magnificent aqueducts at Dundas and Avoncliff.

• Bristol to Bath cycle path – enjoy two cities for the price of one when you take the traffic-free cycle path between Bath and Bristol. It’s 13 miles long and surrounded by greenery, nature and even some fascinating history.

• Two Tunnels Greenway – a brand new cycling path along four miles of disused railway, this route takes you through Linear Park to the south of Bath and over the Tucking Hill viaduct.

Whatever your cycling ambitions, make sure you experience the best accommodation Bath has to offer. Bath Holiday Rentals has elegant properties situated right in the heart of the city, many of which are perfect for resting weary muscles at the end of a day’s exploring.