Made (in)famous by Alan Partridge, Norwich describes itself as ‘a fine city’, a description that fits very nicely. Never one to boast, the small East Anglian capital is indeed a fine city, and a wonderful place to ride a bike. Situated in the centre of Norfolk, it’s also an ideal starting point for an adventurous ride out into the countryside.

With the Norfolk Coast AONB just to the north of the city, and miles of country lanes and rural landscapes in between, a road cycling trip from Norwich to the north Norfolk coast is a mighty fine way to spend a weekend.

The Tour starts at Norwich train station, which has excellent connections to London and the rest of the country by rail. From the station you’ll pass by Norwich Castle as you exit the city, a striking Norman structure that sits atop Castle Hill. With the castle behind you, you’ll be out of the city in no time, heading north-west on a mixture of bike paths and country lanes.

Nearing the coast you’ll pass through the Sandringham Estate, the Royal Residence in Norfolk and once the favourite of Queen Elizabeth II. Passing Sandringham you’ll enter the Norfolk Coast AONB and take in picturesque coastal towns like Hunstanton, Brancaster and Burnham Deepdale, birthplace of Lord Nelson. Stage 1 ends at the charming village of Burnham Market, the area that arguably kick-started the recent wave of tourism to the north Norfolk area.

Stage 2 begins in Burnham Market and immediately takes you into the stunning Holkham Park for a visit to Holkham Hall. It’s possible to cycle around the grounds, and I’d recommend stopping for a coffee at the excellent cafe, before continuing along the coast.

You’re absolutely spoiled for things to do and see in this area, with charming towns and villages along your route as you meander in an easterly direction along the coast. Highlights include Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, Sheringham and Cromer, all offering sea views and fabulous ice-cream emporiums.

From Cromer you’ll begin the journey further southwards, exiting the Norfolk Coast AONB and turning inland towards North Walsham and Wroxham, the bustling centre of the Norfolk Broads. From here it’s a short ride through Norwich suburbs and into the city centre itself, via Norwich Cathedral and the trendy Tomblands neighbourhood.

With just over 3,000 feet (1,000 metres) of elevation gain across the whole Tour, this weekend trip is suitable for every level of road cyclist. There are many good options for refreshments throughout the route, presenting you with the pleasant dilemma of exactly where to stop along the way.

I’ve included the full Tour in the Collection so you can edit the itinerary to suit your requirements.