The Carter Company

From the sandy shores of the Moray Firth east of Inverness to the dramatic and rocky west coast, south of Fort William, this tour includes a wondrous variety of scenery from historic highland towns to tiny fishing hamlets, mountain ranges to deserted lochs and gorgeous offshore islands and stretches of countryside in between.

Remarkably, this isn't a tough ride with just one day of riding uphill and the remainder with few hills. Yet Ben Nevis is in close up and you brush awesome Glen Coe. Stop at local favourite the Dorres Inn on Loch Ness and pedal the towpath of the Caledonian Canal as you head through the Great Glen. Immerse yourself in history with a visit to Culloden battlefield, the site of the last full-scale battle to take place on British soil. Learn about the local legends at the castles of Cawdor and Brodie, stuffed to the turrets with antique furniture, paintings and ceramics. Ride through pine forests, past sweeping sandy beaches, across estuarine bridges and down a disused railway line hugging the seashore and virtually touching the western isles. Sample a 'wee dram' of local whisky at a traditional Scottish distillery en route and explore a pioneering eco-village at Findhorn. Ferry hop from Fort William and ride the length of the island of Lismore on the last day of your tour en route to Oban. It's all part of the romance of the Highland coast!

7 days of not so gentle cycling 16 to 31 miles (26 to 49 km) with options for further cycling on several days. Bike paths, canal towpath, disused railway line and back lanes. 60% traffic-free with very little traffic on the rest

From being one of six Great Roads commissioned by King Charles II in the 17th century, to facilitate postal deliveries across England, the route can be traced back further still to the rough wagon tracks of medieval times, and before that even to old Roman roads. The route has taken many detours over the years, and what better way to explore than on a gentle self guided bicycle tour, to experience the beauty and history of the area up close at your own pace. A short detour from the Great West Way takes you to Stonehenge one of the world’s most intriguing ancient monuments and to the beautiful 13th Century Salisbury Cathedral. Bathe like a Roman in Aqua Sulis – now better known as Bath! Marvel at the Kennet and Avon canal built at the end of the 18th-century, to link east and west via the River Avon and River Thames, to transport goods and produce efficiently from Bristol to London avoiding a dangerous trip over the ferocious seas of the English Channel.

Today though you’ll find a blissfully different scene. A serene stretch of water and a wildlife conservation area, perfect for a gentle cycle. After meeting the mighty River Thames, the route takes you through the beautiful Chiltern Hills on the way to Windsor and the world’s oldest inhabited castle, Hampton Court Palace – scene of many a royal intrigue, and past Kew Gardens where your traffic free route takes you on into the beating heart of London. Explore these diverse but equally engaging parts of the country, with unique cycling routes that bring you closer to nature, and you’ll be able to see England’s history from every angle. At UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stately homes and medieval castles, offbeat museums and, of course, through the amazing anecdotes of the locals. One way or another, there’s always more to find out.

11 days of cycling 18-31 miles per day - mostly flat with some slopes and a hill on Day 6. Very largely traffic free.

This is a remarkable ride through history covering seashore defenses at the Cinque Ports of Deal and Walmer, the forts of ancient coasts, Canterbury's Saxon castle and pilgrim roots with a stay in moated and grand, Leeds Castle as a finale to the tour.

Freewheeling through orchards and across downs, you enjoy leafy back lanes, the fun of fords and grand views. Discover Kent's clapper board villages, seaside cycling, oysters in Whitstable, the medieval gem of Sandwich and several stunning gardens. This is also a land awash with local produce - beers and seafood, soft fruit and vineyards all of which you will have plenty of time to enjoy!

5 days of cycling 14-22 miles (22-35 km) for the classic tour and 14- 28 miles for the luxury tour (22-45 km) per day. Mostly country lanes with low traffic.

Tucked into the peaceful landscape are pretty villages and charming estuaries where maritime history abounds. And just off the coast lies the delightfully English Isle of Wight.

Using awesome gravel tracks through the forest and disused railway lines, much of this tour is free of traffic and leaves plenty of time to explore. Discover: forest life and villages at Burley, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu with its fine estate and Motor Museum, maritime delights at Buckler’s Hard and Lymington, the Isle of Wight experience and the charms of Yarmouth where your ferry arrives. You'll be very tempted to return!

3 days of cycling 10 - 20 miles (16 - 32 km) per day and 1 day of optional cycling

There is glorious cycling right beside the sea, castles and medieval towns to explore and a rich maritime history of old ports, shipwrecks and smuggling to discover.

You will ride through the many orchards that define this area as 'The Garden of England'. And then there's 'ye olde' Canterbury, full of pilgrim history, packed with museums, famous tales and vibrant with its maze of intriguing side streets.

5 days of cycling 8 - 20 miles (13 - 32 km) per day. Largely flat and traffic-free,

Through its hidden tracks, it leads from the heart of one bustling historic town to another.

The graceful contours of Cotswolds lanes and bridleways provide much of the route with the tranquil Oxford Canal leading to Blenheim Palace. Stop and explore Cotswold market towns, several famed gardens, thatched inns, lavender fields and marvellous vistas. Discover Shakespeare’s history in Stratford upon Avon and enjoy the spirit of Oxford - a magical combination.

6 days of cycling 10 - 26 miles (16 - 42 km) per day. Undulating terrain with some slopes on day 6. More than half traffic free; very low traffic on the rest.

Among these, the Outer Hebrides are some of the most remote which gives them their special character. With astonishingly beautiful white sandy beaches and isolated dwellings, the islands of Barra and the Uists reveal their crofting legacy and a flat terrain for cyclists. Linked by a string of ferries, the tour includes the inner Hebridean island of Skye and its notable hills which you will soar across with your driver guide for the day before returning to civilisation in Fort William aboard a steam train along one of Britain's most scenic stretches of railway.

You might think that, alas, this is not the place for gentle cycling. But thankfully with the canny use of cycle paths on disused railway lines and a plethora of ferry hops there are almost no hills. We are thrilled with the itinerary we have designed and its close historical links with the infamous Bonnie Prince Charlie, its blend of castles, local crafts, fishing culture and seafood and its unsurpassed landscapes.

We have chosen delightful and characterful small hotels and cosy inns for the classic trip and outstanding boutique luxury hotels on the mainland for the luxury tour. We guarantee you will be blown away - in the nicest sense!

5 days of cycling 6 - 31 miles (10 - 49 km) per day and 1 optional day of cycling. Almost no hills. Minor roads with little traffic or cycle path.

From its quiet source in the Cotswold Hills to the Thames Barrier at Greenwich where river and sea meet, this river of mystery holds many secrets for you to discover and enjoy.

The tranquil river path and the hidden lanes you will ride thread their way through sleepy rural villages and historic towns. Pretty landscapes beckon and royal life abounds as you ride by Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace and monarch's gardens. Enjoy the water meadows, old inns, wildlife and the traffic free ride through the heart of London. The Thames source to sea journey is a real classic trodden by many adventurers - come and see what all the fuss is about.

8 days of not so gentle cycling 19 - 34 miles (30 - 54 km) per day. Flat with some slopes on day 6. Very largely traffic free.

The Trossach hills provide a fabulous backdrop to your route, which leads you through stunning wooded glens and beside quiet lochs. Float along the serenely beautiful Loch Katrine on a steamship and pedal along the water's edge of Lochs Katrine and Lubnaig, where little breaks the silence. Spend two nights in the village of Callander at the heart of the Trossachs and two nights in a peaceful glen location, where feasts for real foodies await. Pedal along the dramatic Glen Ogle Pass using the former Callander & Oban railway line, and over the Glen Ogle viaduct, with views to die for. This area of Scotland is known for its beauty, its landscape, its wildlife, and more recently its cuisine, and the hotels we have chosen won't disappoint either.

3 days of cycling 10 - 18 miles (16 - 29 km) per day. Pretty flat with the odd undulation. 97% traffic free.

Royalty beckons with palaces at Kew, Richmond, Hampton Court and Windsor whilst the history of England is recorded in the fabric of the waterside defining the Thames as 'liquid history'. Enjoy the water meadows, old inns, wildlife and weirs that lead you on through your adventures.

With wonderful luxury hotels or cosy inns this trip is one of our favourites. The tranquil river path provides the route for much of this trip - we love it because it is flat and traffic free and the itinerary is relaxed. What a great way to discover the sights and smells of quintessential England!

5 days of cycling with two further days of optional cycling 10 - 24 miles (16 - 38 km) per day. Mostly flat with a mix of bike paths, gravel tracks and the occasional road and grass tracks. Almost completely traffic free.