National Cycle Route 51 (UK)

NCN 51

National Cycle Route 51 (UK)

A collection of 1 cycling route.

  1. Bikemap
  2. Official routes
  3. NCN 51
  4. National Cycle Route 51 (UK)

Overview

About this collection

0

A classic cross-country ride linking Oxford with East Anglia via Milton Keynes, Bedford, Cambridge, and on to Colchester. It’s a signed NCN route with a mix of traffic‑free paths and quiet lanes: flat, breezy miles across the Fens and more gently rolling sections in Oxfordshire and Suffolk. Expect plenty of cafes, parks, and riverside stops along the way.

Easy to tackle in stages thanks to frequent train links at Oxford, Bicester, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, and Colchester. Family‑friendly stretches include the Milton Keynes Redways and paths around Cambridge.

Highlights:

  • University city riding in Oxford and Cambridge
  • Market towns like Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket
  • Riverside spins by the Cam and Great Ouse
  • Quiet villages, fenland views, and greenways

Look for blue NCN 51 signs. A road bike or sturdy hybrid is ideal; some bits can be a little gravelly after rain. Pick a section, hop on a train, and make it a day ride—or string a few legs together for a chilled multi‑day tour.

1
Routes
-:--
Duration
2.9 km
Distance
---
Avg. speed
12 m
Ascent
21 m
Descent

National Cycle Route 51 (UK)

Routes in this collection

Open map
Official
0

NCN 51

A short NCN 51 hop east of Ipswich, about 2.9 km and basically flat. It’s a handy connector between local lanes, ideal for a warm-up or a family spin. Expect a mix of quiet roads and shared paths, with gentle ups and downs and no big climbs. Nice if you’re linking rides toward Felixstowe or back in…
2.9 km
Distance
12 m
Ascent
21 m
Descent
  1. Bikemap
  2. Official routes
  3. NCN 51
  4. National Cycle Route 51 (UK)