Discover Dorset by Mountain-Bike

What You'll Do

Enjoy exhilarating downhills rides, fabulous vistas, iconic villages and fantastic views. You will love staying in the luxurious and cozy 16th century thatched home, where there are 4 lovely king bedrooms with ensuite or shared bathroom ( see booking page) and communal areas to relax. There is an extensive garden with a summer house and terraces to enjoy. There is also a fire pit for relaxed atmospheric evenings in the warmer months. This holiday is great for singles, couples or groups of friends.

If you relish a challenging climb followed by the exhilaration of free-flowing downhill runs with spectacular views then you will love this North East Dorset weekend.

In 3 days of varied riding you will enjoy a huge range of terrain including woodland singletrack, big open-vista bridleways, fast gravelly downhills and many of the short sharp hills that characterise Dorset-riding.

You will visit the iron-age forts of Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill with their extraordinary 360-degree views, cycle up the famous ‘Hovis’ Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, fly through chocolate-box villages such as Milton Abbas and Okeford Fitzpaine, and climb to Win Green, the highest point in Cranborne Chase, with views to Salisbury Plain and the Isle of Wight.

Stay with Hugh and Prue Ross in their 16^th Century thatched home in the pretty village of Iwerne Minster – Hugh will support and lead you on the rides and Prue will mastermind the hospitality side of your stay.

Join a group – you will join a group with similar riding level on the following dates:

For intermediate or advanced riders:

14-16th April 2023 – 15% OFF BOOKINGS FOR THIS DATE! (applied on booking page)

19-21 May 2023

16-18th June 2023

You are also welcome to bring your own group on other dates – please contact us to make a request.

Experience
Highlights

Enjoy the best mountain-biking terrain in the UK

Beautiful countryside with expansive views and charming villages

Relax in the cozy 16th century cottage

Experience Itinerary

Arrive and First Ride

You will arrive to the cottage around midday and set down your things as you get ready for your first bike ride.

Today you will have a small warm up ride which will be around 20 miles and takes 2-3 hours. You will cycle to Fontmell Magna and Compton Abbas, through Ashmore woods, down Smugglers Lane and over Hod Hill, back via Courtney.

Once you are back you can enjoy a nice evening meal with wine as you take the rest of the night off and get ready for a full day of cycling.

Accommodation:

Enjoy staying in a beautiful and cozy 16th century thatched roof cottage in the quaint village of Iwerne Minster. Relax in the warmth and enjoy home-cooked meals with drinks included, after your long days of cycling. There are two king/double rooms with ensuite bathrooms and king/ double rooms with shared bathroom. The rooms can also be booked for single use. Please see the booking page.

Your breakfast and evening meals will be home cooked and served in the dining room. Breakfast will include muesli, granola, choice of bread, fruit compote, yogurt, croissants plus a cooked option each day. Evening meals will consist of three courses all home cooked and delicious! There will also be tea and cake served on return from each ride. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, please let us know on booking.

Full Day of Riding

After a breakfast and a coffee at the cottage you will set out for your full day of riding. The ride will be 35-50 miles depending on group preferences.

Your cycle will take you to the villages of Stourpaine and Durweston, Blandford Forest, Wessex Ridgeway up to Woolland Hill, Milton Abbas, across to Piddletrenthide, back via Dorsetshire Gap up to Bulbarrow Hill, and final downhill off Hambledon Hill to well-earned drinks in local pub!

Then head back to the cottage for some rest, relaxation and dinner!

Morning Ride

After waking up on your final day and starting it with a hearty breakfast, you will embark on your final ride through the South English countryside.

This morning ride will be 3-4 hours long taking you to Shaftesbury and Gold Hill (coffee stop) across country lanes, then up to Win Green and down to Tollard Royal (former home of Madonna!) and back via Ashmore, the highest village in Dorset.

After a concluding lunch, we say our goodbyes as you head home in the afternoon/early evening.

Location Information

Enjoy 3 days of cycling through the stunning English countryside. With stunning views of rolling hills and breathtaking scenery, you will definitely want to stop along your ride for some photo opportunities!

Explore the beautifully quaint village of Iwerne Minster and its surrounding area by bike. And enjoy staying in a cosy 16th Century thatched roof cottage.

Getting there: You can drive to the cottage which is situated in Iwerne Minster, 6 miles from Shaftesbury and around 20 miles from Poole, Dorset.

You can also get the train, the nearest station is Tisbury and your hosts can arrange collection from, and drop off at the train station.

FAQs

Your own bike unless you have asked us to arrange a hire bike.
Bike helmet and goggles
Bike and puncture repair equipment - we do have some available but they can vary between makes so please bring them if possible
Biking clothing for three rides: lycra padded shorts, leggings, tops and wind/shower proof jacket. Ideally a change of footwear in case of very wet and muddy conditions
Comfortable / relaxed clothing for the evenings.

Yes they are available on site

This experience is suitable for age 18+ when joining a group. If you would like to arrange your own group on a different date, we can tailor the rides to suit the group, so please let us know.

From £475 pp