Arrive in Beverley, which in medieval times was in the Top 10 Most Important Towns in England. It was the place of pilgrimage to Beverley Minster on the site of an early church built by John of Beverley, Archbishop of York. The town is named after the beavers that used to roam around the rivers here. Today you should have time to visit the Minster, a huge cathedral-sized church dating back to 1404, on the site of the original church from the 700s. Also visit St Mary’s Church, the 12th century daughter church of the Minster, built to serve Beverley’s trading community. There is a lively outdoor market and a surviving medieval town gatehouse. There are other interesting buildings as well including The Guild Hall. Accommodation: A family-run bed and breakfast which boasts character and charm with the original features of a Victorian town house, close to the town centre. Each room is individually designed, with free Wi-Fi as well as a TV. There is a spacious lounge or and a secluded, walled garden on summer evenings.

Meals:  Nil

Roll out of the suburbs of Beverley and then cycle through the big sky agricultural landscape, punctuated with small strips of forest plantation. There is a good run into Market Weighton, perhaps for lunch. Once the location of Britain’s largest sheep market, it is also the birthplace of William Bradley, Britain’s tallest recorded man. Today the village is celebrated for its quintessentially English farmer’s market, duck pond and pretty red tile roofs. From here there are a few mild climbs and descents passing Londesborough Park & Gardens. The dry valley of Cleaving Coombe then brings you into Pocklington – a historic market town. Peace and tranquillity can be found in the renowned gardens at Burnby Hall. It is a town of charming, independent shops and boutiques. The beautiful church dates back to before the 15th century and the illustrious Pocklington School has produced luminaries such as William Wilberforce, the slave abolitionist who began his anti-slavery campaign whilst boarding here. (Ascent 408m, 1339ft / descent 431m, 1414ft) Accommodation: An old posting and market Inn dating back to Elizabethan times.The inn underwent extensive reconstruction in the early nineteenth century, whilst still retaining some of its original features and has been refurbished over the past couple of years. There is a friendly ghost called Charlotte, as featured on television's Most Haunted. Rooms are ensuite with free wifi, television, hospitality tray and hairdryer.

Meals:  B

A series of climbs and the valley of Pasturdale bring you up to Huggate, with its small Inn where famous painter Hockney once stayed. In his youth, Hockney spent two summers stacking corn, cycling and “falling in love with this part of the world.” Heading on you roll around on top of the Wolds before descending with your bicycle into Thixendale. Nearby is the Robert Fuller Gallery - the artist paints wildlife at his estate with cameras set up in several places. An undulating ride takes you to Kirkham on a point above the River Rye before heading northeast into Malton. This is a market town that has provided a welcome for travellers from at least Roman times and is now claimed to be ‘Yorkshire’s food capital’ brimming with local stores, bakeries, butchers, microbreweries and restaurants. If you have time, or if you want to take an extra day here, 11km away is Castle Howard, the ornate, gilded 18th century stately home set in landscaped grounds with fountains, trails and lakes. Even closer to Malton is Eden Camp Museum, an ex-World War II prison camp, now a modern history museum. (Ascent 595m, 1952ft / descent 601m, 1972ft) Accommodation: A traditional Inn at the heart of the village community with attractive rooms with free Wifi, there is good pub food from locally sourced providers.

Meals:  B

The day soon gets underway with a steep climb up Fizgig Hill after Settring village. The cycling then goes back to more gentle undulations through the fertile farmland and hills of the Wolds, by now a familiar pattern. Finally you descend into Cans Dale and over South Dale to arrive in Hunmanby. The village’s name is Danish, originally ‘Hundemanbi’ meaning ‘farmstead of the houndsmen’, relating to the hunting down of wolves on the Yorkshire Wolds. A landslip occurred in 1907 revealing a British chariot burial site from the 1st or 2nd century BC, in which a chariot was buried horse and all. A tumulus on a local farm was opened up to reveal an ancient burial site containing 15 skeletons, Roman pottery, a flint axe and arrowheads. Stroll around the village and admire All Saints Church with its unusual Admiral's Arch.(Ascent 576m, 1890ft / descent 526m, 1726ft) Accommodation: A converted 18th century Inn, rooms have TV & Inbuilt DVD players, hospitality tray and free WiFi throughout the building. A book and DVD library are located in the Reception area.

Meals:  B

Although it adds a few kms to your day, you can take a ride offroute to the RSPB Bempton Cliffs sanctuary, famed for its breeding seabirds including puffins and razorbills (April to July). More than 200,000 seabirds live on these 100m high chalk precipices over the sea. The next place of note is the seaside at Bridlington, time for a paddle and an ice cream. Just before the town is Sewerby Hall a Grade I listed Georgian countryhouse set in 50 acres of landscaped gardens. Cycle back inland for a gentle climb up Rudston Beacon, then a descent into Burton Agnes. You may wish to visit its local landmarks such an Elizabethan manor house with haunted hall, and a Norman manor house. You finally drift into Driffield (‘Dirty-Field’ in Anglo Saxon). It is named ‘The Capital of the Wolds’, due to its location sitting centrally within the region. It is another charming market town where Wolds produce was shipped down the canal to Hull and out to the rest of the world. There is a good range of pubs and restaurants here to fuel up after your day of cycling. (Ascent 367m, 1204ft / descent 418m, 1371ft) Accommodation: A class apart, our 18th century listed hotel near Beverley just oozes style and good taste, with 16 individually styled bedrooms and suites. In keeping with the hotels rich history and quaint market town location, you'll also find antiques and fine arts throughout. The hotel also boasts an oak panelled restaurant and bar with around 300 single malt whiskies and hand pulled real ales.

Meals:  B

From here the Yorkshire Wolds Cycleway concludes with a shorter day in typical Wolds style, winding around the roads that connect the farms together with the little market villages. The old man-made medieval landscape arrangement still exists. You may notice Dutch influence in some of the buildings in this area. Pass through many farms and a couple of picturesque villages such as Eton and Cherry Burton. Arriving back in Beverley, we trust the town will be as welcoming to you as it was to King Charles II, as he stayed in a guesthouse here for 3 weeks shortly before the start of the English Civil War after being refused entry to Hull. (Ascent 179m, 587ft / descent 188m, 617ft)

Meals:  B

After breakfast, depart Beverley for your onward journey.

Meals:  B