This post describes a 3-day cycle tour from Chelmsford to Clacton-on-Sea staying overnight in Colchester and Felixstowe. Just add a start date and book your hotels. Specific timings assume a Monday to Wednesday tour in 2026 so your own train times may be different. An average of 300m ascent over 61km each day on average means this is a relatively flat tour with options to reduce the mileage each day by using the train.
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!! Seriously, prepare to enjoy a swim at Holland-on-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
Route (alt): Harwich 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. The Central Premier Inn in Colchester is an option as you have better food options though it's typically more expensive and means a longer second day. Then overnight 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 £57 though prices vary. Consider the Central one by Castle Park which is on the NCN 1 if you want choice of eaterie.
Felixstowe Town Centre Premier Inn, in 2026 a room on a Tuesday night was £84 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:
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.
Evening Meal Felixstowe:
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 and Café Bencotto is very good.
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: 9-10mph
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 though remember to pause as it is easy to speed past this town. A two-stop strategy includes the Pear Tree Pantry (17km) which is on the route and useful if people skipped breakfast. Tiptree Tea Room at Tiptree is at 32km; don't turn left at the Asda go straight on, you will eventually see the Tiptree main factory entrance on the right, go past this then the next roundabout will see you wrapping round to the signposted tearooms and jam museum.
To start this stage you exit Chelmsford Station at the main exit to buses, join the road and ride straight along Duke Street.
Stage 2, Wickham Bishops to Tiptree (8km) where you could stretch your legs to take in the town and jam museum 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. As you turn left off Colchester High Street by the yellow building it is the first of two left turnings close together. Either stop here and walk to the Castle or cycle up 200 meters and stop at the crescent and entrance to Castle Park.
The Day 2 Stages (64km):
Stage 4, Colchester to Hadleigh (20km). The High Street has a number of cafés including Fork Kitchen and Deli and further down the High Street is Huffers just before the roundabout with cycle racks diagonally opposite over the roundabout. Remember to turn left onto the High Street on entering town if you are stopping.
Stage 5, Hadleigh to Ipswich (20km). The Quay has coffee stops including Barlas Coffee at 9 Neptune Quay, Ipswich IP4 1QJ which has a great and affordable menu for cyclists.
Stage 6, Ipswich to Felixstowe (24km).
The Day 3 Stages (64km):
The Day 3 Stages alt (52km):
Stage 7, Felixstowe to Harwich (8km)
This first stage can include a meander around the point, otherwise it is less than the stated distance.
It is suggested that individuals book the foot ferry crossing in advance unless your ride leader has done that. The 10:30 crossing is the first one of the day with a 09:30 sailing in peak season https://theharbourferry.co.uk/
Stage 8, Harwich to Great Oakley (11km)
The Maybush Inn opens at 12noon and would offer an early opportunity for refreshments if you lingered in Harwich being the only real option unless you stop even earlier at Little Oakley for coffee at the Hamford View café (only open Thu, Fri, Sat 10am-4pm).
Stage 9, Great Oakley to Wivenhoe (21km)
Wivenhoe provides a chance for people to catch the train if they need to get back and there is a choice of cafés and eateries though some close early or are closed Wednesdays. The High Street has options and Maison Mollie on Station Rd off the High Street.
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. Crust and Cream, 40 Pier Ave, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1QN has Turkish items and ice cream on the menu and not too far to walk to the station. If you want fish and chips then Geo's Fishbar has takeaway and restaurant options at West Ave, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1QR, just inland from the pier. To swim, cycle along the road towards Holland on Sea and stop at toilet blick
Stage 9alt, Great Oakley to Aingers Green (20km) where you can stop at The Barn Café. Just before Aingers Green is Great Bentley where you can take the train to further shorten this day.
Stage 10alt, Aingers Green to Clacton-on-Sea (13km). See Stage 10 above for Clacton-on-Sea options.
Suggested Café Stops:
See Stages above though the plan is to do café stops on an ad hoc basis. Remember that for many towns the route may bypass the cafés so stop and look at Google Maps.
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 (or equivalent)
07:12 Arrive Liverpool Street station
07:15 Have breakfast; you could try catching earlier trains to miss the East Anglia rush hour curfew though day one is just 56km
08:16 (or 08:36) Take the Chelmsford train
08:51 (or 09:09) Arrive Chelmsford Station
09:30 Leave Chelmsford when ready; allowing people to take the slightly later train which may be helpful for larger groups. In practice people will naturally arrive in Liverpool Street station ahead of the train curfew so you will likely gain time.
Day 2 (Tuesday):
09:30 Leave Colchester hotel
Day 3 (Wednesday)
09:30 Leave Felixstowe hotel with time to ride the point and locate the ferry on the shingle beach. Look for the parasol stand where the first ferry will place the flag.
10:15 Be ready to board. Remove any phone, computers or pumps that may get disconnected from the bike during handling. Remove side panniers and heavy bags that may make storage and lifting difficult. Follow ferry staff instructions.
10:30 Take the ferry to Harwich
10:45 Make use of water tap by the bins and the toilets over the road
11:00 Leave Harwich
16:45 Arrive Clacton-on-Sea for ice-cream
18:05 Train to London
19:31 Arrive London
From 19:00 you can take a Metropolitan Line home
Option to alight at Stratford for London Overground.
Route Guidance:
There is a tight hairpin 500m from Harwich ferry.