Situated between the Mendips and the Blackdown Hills, the unique flat landscape of the Somerset Levels makes a fantastic area to discover by bike. Steeped in history and legend, with fantastic scenery, rivers and wetlands, there is no better place to discover on two wheels what Somerset truly has to offer.
Cyclists visiting Southfork Caravan Park can expect a warm welcome. We are a bike friendly campsite and have our own resident cyclist, Mick, who having undertaken the Prudential London 100 twice now, is always on hand with advice.
With a number of great trails on our doorstep, we have put together a guide to the best cycle routes accessible from Southfork Caravan Park, saving you time and enabling you to do more of what you enjoy - cycling!
80 mile Cycle Route
Don’t let the name put you off! Discover Somerset have put together an amazing guide to cycling around Somerset, 80 miles in total as a whole, split into 8 stages if you want a more relaxed experience.
This circular route, starting (and finishing!) at Yeovil Junction, takes you through Sherborne, Castle Cary, Somerton, South Petherton, Ilminster, Merriott, Montacute and back to Yeovil. You can join the trail at any point and if you are staying with us at Southfork you will be pleased to know that South Petherton (Stage 5 starting point) is only 3 miles from the caravan park.
For more information on the route and to download a guide of all sections please click here.
The Bittern Trail
Linking Glastonbury and the Avalon Marshes Visitor Centre, the Bittern Trail is a tranquil cycle route steeped in history and mythology. The trail is named after the Bittern, a rare type of heron which became extinct at the turn of the century in the UK, only to be re-introduced during the 1950s. Due to ongoing conservation work a second extinction was narrowly avoided and the Avalon Marshes is now home to the biggest population of Bittern in the UK.
The Bittern trail is mostly traffic free, running through the Ham Wall and Shapwick nature reserves. Especially glorious in Spring, however this cycle route makes an excellent choice at any time of year.
A copy of the trail leaflet can be downloaded here or visit the Avalon Marshes website.
Heritage Cycle Routes
Again, starting at Avalon Marshes Visitor Centre, there are four circular cycle trails known at the Heritage Cycle Routes which are great for getting to know the history of the area. Mostly flat, with a few short hill climbs on a couple of the routes, these trails are suitable for road bikes and include lots of opportunities for refreshment - which sounds pretty good to us!
For more information on the Heritage Cycle routes and to download a guide for each please visit the Avalon Marshes website.
Bridgwater and Taunton Canal
The 14 mile (22.5 km) canal winds its way through the Somerset Levels from Firepool Lock (Taunton) to Bridgwater Marina. The canal is also home to the Somerset Space Walk, a scale model of the sun and planets as well as many pubs and cafes. Flat and traffic-free it makes for a leisurely, relaxing and scenic cycle ride.
The canal path is on National Cycle Route 3, for more information visit the National Cycle Network information on the Sustrans website.
Mountain Biking in the Quantocks
The Quantock Hills offer some of the best natural mountain biking trails in the South West, so should not be missed if mountain biking is your thing! Slightly further out from Southfork Caravan Park than the above trails, the Quantocks are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) made up of heathland, oak woodlands, ancient parklands and agricultural land. The terrain can be tough but incredibly rewarding for those willing to take on the challenge.
The MTB Foodie website has a great mountain biking trail across the Quantocks and can be completed in sections if needed!
Great Location, warm welcome
So, whatever kind of cycling you are into, Southfork Caravan Park is in a fantastic location to take advantage of all the cycling trails in this amazing part of the country. We have a range of level grass and hard-standing pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes available, as well as our luxury glamping pod and well-equipped holiday homes.
Bike Hire & Repairs
Not far from Southfork Caravan Park, Parrett Trail Bikes (in nearby Langport) offer a wide range of cycles and accessories for hire as well as a repair and maintenance service for those that need it. So if you are travelling light or don’t have a bike of your own but still want to see the Somerset Levels on two wheels then Parrett Trail Bikes is worth a visit!