Forty-Two
cathedrals.
One route.
Open to all.
Step into adventure and belonging with the only cycle route that links every Church of England cathedral.
Breathe in miles of stunning scenery and uncover stories that change the way you see the world.
The Cathedrals Cycle Route is a self-guided cycling challenge connecting every Church of England cathedral, inviting you to travel between great cities and explore the varied, unexpected spaces that lie between them - at your own pace, and in your own way.
Along the route, you’ll become part of a welcoming community, sharing stories as they unfold and adding your own to the road behind you.
This website brings your journey to life with practical resources for riders of all abilities, plus six inspiring ways to shape the experience around what matters most to you.
Start something extraordinary.
Been meaning to get out for a ride?
You're not alone. The desire to ride is there, but somehow life keeps getting in the way. It’s all too easy to start feeling disconnected: from people, from nature, and even from the simple joy of being on your bike. You want to do something that matters, but without a clear place to start, the ride keeps slipping further down the list.
Get on your bike - and back to yourself
The Cathedrals Cycle Route is a perfect opportunity to get back onto the saddle, feel better in yourself and reconnect with what you love.
The journey is divided into forty-two manageable sections, each one carrying you from one magnificent cathedral to the next. That means you can ride a single section on a free weekend, string a few together for a longer adventure, or commit to the whole route over time.
You can start wherever you are. Use our easy planning guidance and ride when time allows, without deadlines or demands. Discover cathedral cities, towns and open countryside, choosing your pace and distance - perhaps as a personal pilgrimage, in support of a cause, or simply for the pleasure of being outdoors again.
And there’s a wonderful added bonus: you’re part of something bigger. Across the country, riders are following the same route in their own time and own ways, and you’ll be warmly welcomed into a community where purpose matters more than speed or statistics.
There’s more out there. And it’s ready when you are.
“It’s been a fantastic experience to see all parts of the country... and it has transformed my life”
© Katy Cooper
Six ways to enjoy the ride
choose the journey that suits You
Begin with a single section. Ride between two cathedrals and see how it feels. From there, you can link sections into longer journeys, shape a personal pilgrimage or musical voyage, or build all the way to the full route.
However far you go, you can ride solo or together, for yourself or for a cause, with special events to join as your journey unfolds.
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![Four people riding bicycles on a shaded tree-lined path in a park or residential area.]()
Ride a single section
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![Two men wearing yellow cycling jackets with medals hanging around their necks inside a church or cathedral. One has a black turban, beard, and sunglasses hanging from his jacket. The other has a yellow turban and a white beard.]()
Take on the whole route
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![Open booklet featuring various circular red stickers with white text reading "Cathedrals Cycle Route" on different locations of Bristol, Gloucestershire, and an illustration of a church and a lion's face in the background.]()
The Route as Pilgrimage
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![A quaint corner in a village with a coffee shop called "The Village Coffee Shop" and a pub called "The Arabian Horse." People are seated outside at wooden tables, some with bicycles parked nearby. The storefronts are decorated with flower boxes, and the sky is partly cloudy.]()
Shorter Rides
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A Musical Voyage
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![A cyclist with a helmet wearing a yellow and blue jersey that reads 'Riding for Adam' on a city street. The jersey displays a quote from 2 Corinthians 4:18, a distance of 5,500 miles, a donation amount of £10,000, and the word 'CANCER.' The background shows a red traffic light, a few people, and city buildings.]()
Join an Event
What riders are saying about the route
“…a lovely, unforgettable, exciting journey, full of surprises… and lots of exciting, interesting things and meetings.”
A warm welcome awaits!
© Russell Sach
Cathedral Cycle Champions are individuals based at many of the cathedrals, who help bring the route to life locally. At the heart of every Champion's role is a warm welcome, helping ensure that staff, volunteers and clergy are used to cyclists visiting, whether that's to attend a service, refill a water bottle, or simply stop and rest. Champions also think practically about where cyclists can safely leave their bikes while they look around.
Every Champion is different, and what's on offer varies from cathedral to cathedral. We're working towards having a Champion at every cathedral on the route; in the meantime, contact your cathedral directly to find out what's available.
we never set out to create a national Cycle route…
It began with a simple question: what if England’s cathedrals were connected not just by heritage and tradition, but by movement?
From that wondering grew the Cathedrals Cycle Route: a personal journey that links extraordinary, historic buildings and creates meaning in the spaces in between.
“One of humanity’s greatest challenges is that of connectivity. Meaningful connectivity.
Not only with each other, but with that which surrounds us: nature, culture and heritage.”