Cycling UK Forum

Hi Earlier this year when I was cycling part "The way of the Roses" route I called in to Beningbrough Hall and Gardens , about 7 miles north of York. I was allowed free entry into the grounds and a complimentary cup of coffee from there tea room . An excelent place to spend an hours break. Bikes can be parked and locked to some secure racks just outside the ticket entrance. Again I was was told it was free because I had cycled there .

Nomisp

A couple of years ago my gf and I cycled to Dyrham Park, just north of Bath. For those who know it, it's off the very busy A46 close to the M4 access. After waiting some time to cross the road we entered the gates and reported to reception, which is at the top of the hill leading down to the house. This is adjacent to the car park and no vehicles are allowed to proceed further except for the NT shuttle bus that takes the less fit down the winding road to the property. I asked if was ok to cycle down, the reply being 'oh no, it's far too dangerouse, the bus is on the road'. I was pretty gobsmacked, since we had cycled through very busy traffic to get there, and we left mightily peeved. We have since been back several times by car, and eschewing the bus we have always walked down to the house and back again. We've never seen any other vehicle using the approach, and I hope the official in our earlier encounter is no longer with the NT

That's the sort of thing to take up with them. Either by email or Facebook. I've found whenever I've contacted a property on various subjects they always respond.

NTS Scotland are not very welcoming at Culzean Castle. A notice says basically that if cyclists do not behave properly (
whatever that means) all cyclists will be banned.How enforceable this would be I do not know but there are narrow footpaths in some parts where MB's have been allegedly terrorising innocent pedestrians. Otherwise a good place to visit but the castle is a bit of a let down IMO and not worth the bother.The grounds are good and extensive. I was brought up in what was known as " private service" so houses like that are no novelty to me which may be why the castle is nothing special to me.

I've never been bothered about the 'house' in these places anyway. The likes of Wallington / Cragside / Belsay we never go in the house but go there for the walks, the tea room and recently ; the playgrounds.

Calke Abbey did start charging cyclist to enter the estate a few years ago, there was some confusion and correspondence with a CTC Derby member. They agreed not to charge those just riding through, but still expected those staying to pay. I have no idea how they'd tell the difference or if that's still the case.
Not a NT property, but Newstead Abbey in Notts charges cyclists and pedestrians to enter the grounds, which is a bit poor for those following NCN route 6.

Dunno abt free admission but I've never seen a more obvious subject for board to board talk between two great British institutions. You know, a little note from Jon Snow to Simon Jenkins... 'Meet me in Groucho's to discuss cycling and the NT over a bottle of claret please.'

PH wrote: Newstead Abbey in Notts charges cyclists and pedestrians to enter the grounds, which is a bit poor for those following NCN route 6.

I used to cycle up there of an evening from Nottingham sometime and don't remember paying. Is it possible that it's effectively free after a certain time of day?

Regarding the Estate Drive in Cragside - there a no entry controls except on the main gate, it's entirely possible to cycle onto the estate drive (goes around the entire estate one way) using a bicycle (or walking if you like), without paying. I know because there are Strava segments on it ridden by people who haven't entered through the official entrance.

When I was a schoolboy (1986) we used to cycle through Calke Abbey regularly as training for LEJoG, in groups of up to about 20. My brief wikipedia search tells me that it became a NT site in 1985. I've ridden through free of charge in the last couple of years too.

Kedleston a few miles away is also free to enter on a bike, or at least was about a year ago. It seems a wise plan tbh as there are all those lovely cafes and shops in NT properties, ready to sell expensive cake to hungry bikies...

There's currently a mountain biking video on their home page. This is what they say about cycling on NT properties.

This is what the NT in Yorkshire said earlier this year.

This story from six years ago also talks about discounts etc. for cyclists.

Clumber Park is something of a mecca for cycling. There's a thriving bike hire business there and plenty of routes to cycle on. The main one is around the lake but you can get up to a 12 mile trail around the perimeter of the park. We often pass through on our club rides, though we don't bother with the cafe there as it's a bit pricey. There's a nice tea shop near the Carburton entrance and another near the northern entrance on the A614. It's £4 for cars to enter the park but free for cycles.

I've also managed to cycle through Newstead Abbey park several times without paying, even though there's a nominal 50p charge for cyclists, i've not yet had to pay it. There's no one on the gate at the Newstead entrance anyway, only at the Ravenshead entrance.

Tatton Park near Knutsford is a National Trust property.

It has free entry to the grounds for pedestrians and cyclists but motorists have to pay even if they are members of the NT.

blackbike wrote:Tatton Park near Knutsford is a National Trust property.

It has free entry to the grounds for pedestrians and cyclists but motorists have to pay even if they are members of the NT.

I went in the summer on my bike and yes free entry but I had to email to ask as I couldn't find anything on thier website. They did reply saying it is free and to stop and ask for a free map at the gatehouse.

Dave

theDaveB wrote:

blackbike wrote:Tatton Park near Knutsford is a National Trust property.

It has free entry to the grounds for pedestrians and cyclists but motorists have to pay even if they are members of the NT.

I went in the summer on my bike and yes free entry but I had to email to ask as I couldn't find anything on thier website. They did reply saying it is free and to stop and ask for a free map at the gatehouse.

Dave

These things certainly aren't well reported on the NT website or elsewhere. No signs on entry to any property saying "Come by bike next time and get cake" or anything like that.

I've often joked it's worth putting my bike in the boot just to show up with it and claim free cake