The route makes heavy use of NCN 1 and NCN 51, and if you keep moving on the last day you should have time for a dip in the sea!
Start Point: Chelmsford Station (Greater Anglia)
Finish Point: Clacton-on-Sea Station (Greater Anglia)
Meetup Time: 09:15
Start Time: 09:30
Route: Chelmsford to Clacton-on-Sea
No. Days: 3
Overnight: Individuals book their own accommodation in Colchester such as the "Colchester A12 Premier Inn" to the north of the town (not the Central Premier Inn) and then in Felixstowe such as the Felixstowe Premier Inn.
Ferry:
The Felixstowe to Harwich foot and cycle ferry is £8.10 one-way with a bicycle. The booking site allows up to 12 bicycles in the booking drop down list which suggests a level of capacity. Your ride leader may do a block booking so check with them before booking.
The Harwich Harbour Ferry can be pre-booked and there are options to cancel or change the booking. At the time of writing (May 2026) you can update your booking up to 48 hours before departure. Cancellations are only allowed up to 14 days before departure.
Hotels:
Colchester A12 Premier Inn, in 2026 a room on a Monday night was £47 though prices vary.
Felixstowe Town Centre Premier Inn, in 2026 a room on a Tuesday night was £117 though prices vary.
Other independent and chain hotels are available, though few are as clear as Premier Inn regarding bikes; Premier Inn is bike friendly.
Evening Meal:
Colchester has the full range if you want to go back in to town otherwise look locally such as the Premier Inn partner restaurant or nearby Mimosa.
Felixstowe has the full range of eateries in the town centre in walking distance of the Premier Inn. The clue is mostly in the name here.
Blue Naan does Indian cuisine and has vegetarian options. It operates a dry bar and has various non-alcoholic drinks such as zero-beer. A 13-minute walk from the Premier Inn. Open until 9:30pm Sundays.
Fish Dish serves fish and chips. Grilled fish is available though the vegetarian options are limited to various halloumi dishes (starters and salad) and penne based mains. A 5-minute walk from the Premier Inn. Open until 8:30pm Sundays.
Loca Bar and Restaurant has a varied European menu including more vegetarian dishes than you usually get, specifically more than one. A 10-minute walk from the Premier Inn. Open until 7pm Sundays which doesn't offer much time to wash off the trail dust before eating.
Café Bencotto serves Mediterranean cuisine including pasta, pizza and other interesting mains. It also has a plant-based menu. A 20-minute walk from the Premier Inn. Open until 9pm Sundays. Café Bencotto operate a walk-in policy.
Average Speed: 9mph
Stops: Every 15 miles approximately. As this is designed to be a comfortable tour extra stops are possible and even encouraged.
The Day 1 Stages (56km):
Stage 1, Chelmsford Station to Wickham Bishops (24km) where a café stop at the delightful Mrs Salisbury's is suggested.
Stage 2, Wickham Bishops to Tiptree (8km) where you could stretch your legs to take in the town or stop for coffee if you rolled through Wickham Bishops.
Stage 3, Tiptree to Colchester (24km) takes you through the centre of Colchester to the Premier Inn by the A12.
The Day 2 Stages (64km):
Stage 4, Colchester to Hadleigh (20km).
Stage 5, Hadleigh to Ipswich (20km)
Stage 6, Ipswich to Felixstowe (24km)
The Day 3 Stages (64km):
Stage 7, Felixstowe to Harwich (0km)
It is suggested that individuals book the crossing in advance unless your ride leader has done that. The 10:30 crossing is the first one of the day. https://theharbourferry.co.uk/
Stage 8, Harwich to Great Oakley (18km)
The Maybush Inn opens at 12noon and would offer an early opportunity for refreshments being the only real option unless you stop even earlier at Little Oakley for coffee at the Hamford View café.
Stage 9, Great Oakley to Wivenhoe (20km)
Wivenhoe provides a chance for people to catch the train if they need to get back and there is a choice of cafés abd eateries.
Stage 10, Wivenhoe to Clacton-on-Sea (26km)
Clacton-on-Sea is the originating station for London bound trains and is a stress-free way to board for the return.
Suggested Café Stops:
See Stages above though the plan is to do café stops on an ad hoc basis.
Shorten the route using the train:
Each of these reduces the day's distance by around a third:
On day 1 pickup the route later on by taking the train to Witham and intercepting the route
On day 2 take the train from Ipswich to Felixstowe
On day 3 take the train home from Wivenhoe
Suitable Bikes:
Any, though bare in mind the distance and pace. A heavy eBike might not be suitable for the foot ferry so check, and eBikes aren't permitted on London Underground or London Overground trains. 40 miles a day is a long way on a mountain bike.
Surface:
Mostly tarmac, though there may be gravel, rough surfaces and potholes on lanes. The ferry crossing will involve water.
Mechanic:
None
Support Vehicle:
None
Broom Wagon:
None
No Drop Ride:
Yes, no-one gets left behind, though note the rider requirements.
Rider Requirements:
Be responsible for your own safety
Follow the highway code
Arrive with a well maintained bike
Carry equipment to repair a puncture or two
Dress/pack for the forecast conditions
Be comfortable maintaining 9mph for about 15 miles of (mostly) continuous cycling on the flat
Be self-sufficient with regards hydration and fuelling; ask for a stop if you require one.
Organiser Tips:
Premier Inn and some other chain hotels typically do lower Sunday and Monday night rates, higher Saturday rates. Check café opening times for your chosen dates. Premier Inn allow bikes in rooms.
The Kit List for a short break provides suggestions for extra items though consider the weather and the nature of the ride.
Rider Tips:
Pack light. Packing should be the same as for a day ride plus any overnight essentials. Seriously, pack light. If you have any questions ask the organiser.
In contrast to shorter rides the person navigating may not be familiar with the whole route, there may be roadworks and diversions so be aware and look after your own safety.
Premier Inn allow clean bicycles in rooms though some don't have lifts so phone ahead and request a ground floor room if this might be an issue for you. Keeping your bike in your room means you don't necessarily need your heavy Gold Secure bike lock.
With only about 300m of ascent each day this isn't a hilly tour.
Day 1 (Monday):
06:31 Leave Northwick Park
07:12 Arrive Liverpool Street station
07:15 Have breakfast; you could try catching earlier trains to miss the East Anglia rush hour curfew.
08:16 (or 08:36) Take the Chelmsford train
08:51 (or 09:09) Arrive Chelmsford Station
09:30 Leave Chelmsford allowing people to take the slightly later train which may he helpful for larger groups.
Day 2 (Tuesday):
09:30 Leave Colchester hotel
Day 3 (Wednesday)
09:30 Leave Felixstowe hotel with time for sightseeing
10:30 Take the first ferry to Harwich
10:45 Leave Harwich
16:45 Arrive Clacton-on-Sea for ice-cream
18:05 Train to London
19:31 Arrive London
From 19:00 Metropolitan Line home
Option to alight at Stratford for London Overground
Route Guidance:
Use the cycle paths that take you round the busy roundabouts near the Harwich ferry terminal.
