List of Cycle Friendly Cafes Near Chester

Our friends in the Chester and North Wales CTC group have published a definitive guide to cycle-friendly cafes within cycling distance of Chester.  So when planning a cycle ride, you can use this list to plan your refreshment stops.  The list includes a wealth of information about each cafe, including opening times, directions, OS grid references, and telephone numbers.

The production of this list is an example of the services which the CTC provides to its members.  All Chester cyclists should consider joining the CTC to experience the camaraderie and support that the organisation provides. The link below takes you to the CTC website and the list of cafes.#

CTC List of Cycle Friendly Cafes

Try the Online Cycle Route Planner

In partnership with our colleagues in the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, the Chester Cycling Campaign is pleased to offer an online cycle route planner for Chester.  The planner allows you to plan a cycle route between any two places with the results presented in three ways:

• Fastest Route
• Quietest Route
• Shortest Route

CycleStreets will also tell you the overall length of your trip and how long the trip will take at various cycling speeds.  It also displays ‘Quietness Rating’ for each route.

Click here to plan your route!

The Backford Beat

The Backford Beat explores the countryside to the north of Chester. It follows the canal towpath north to Caughall, and takes in Stanney Woods Country Park. The 26 km (17 mile) route uses National Cycle Network Route 56 and the canal towpath to return to the city.

The Hockenhull Hobble

The Hockenhull Hobble explores the countryside to the SE of Chester, including Christleton Pond, Bruera and Hargarave villages, and Hockenhull Platts. The route is 33 km (20 miles) long. There is a short off-road section over the interesting ‘Roman Bridges’, a series of pack horse bridges along a wooded path.

The Capenhurst Caper

The Capenhurst Caper is a 26 km (18 mile) route, exploring the countryside to the north of Chester. It makes use of National Cycle Routes 56 and 5, as well as quiet country lanes and canal towpaths. There is a short section on a bridleway which has a surface suitable for bicycles. Highly recommended route.

The Manley Meander

The Manley Meander explores the countryside to the east of Chester, taking in places of interest such as Christleton Pond and the Manley Windsurfing Centre. The route is 27 km (17 miles) in length, with no off-road sections.

The Dodleston Doddle

The Dodleston Doddle explores a mixture of countryside and more urban areas to the south-west of Chester, including Dodleston, Gorstella, Lower Kinnerton and Westminster Park. The route is 26 km (16 miles) in length with no off-road sections.

The Zoo Circular

The Chester Zoo Circular is a short, circular route of 13 kms (8 miles). It follows the canal towpath for the outward journey to Chester Zoo, and then follows NCN Route 56 and NCN Route 5 through Newton back to the starting point at Northgate Arena.

Family Ride Leaflets

Family Rides – Information

Chester Cycling Campaign’s seven Family Cycle Rides have been planned with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 15 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children, either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. Some rides include short off-road sections. The directions for these rides also include a description of a minor road alternative. The rides are graded into three categories of risk, Quiet, Some Traffic, and Care Required, based on the type of roads and paths used.

The Routes pictured in detail with clear accurate mapping under Cycle Routes > Family Route Maps in the menus above, where they can be printed as full-colour maps.  However, they have also been produced as black and white, printable PDF files which are available for download below.

(A) Quiet Routes

These are routes with long stretches of off-road cycleway.

Route 4 – The River Dee Round – Route No 4 is a safe, completely traffic-free loop of 24 kms (15 miles). It follows the National Cycle Network Route 5 to the west of the city as far as Hawarden Bridge, returning via the riverside cycle path along the River Dee.

Route 6 – The Backford Beat – Route No 6 explores the countryside to the north of Chester. It follows the canal towpath north to Caughall, and takes in Stanney Woods Country Park. The 27 km (17 mile) route uses National Cycle Network Route 56 to return to the city.

Route 7 – The Zoo Circular – Route No 7 is a short, circular route of 12 kms (7.5 miles). It follows the canal towpath for the outward journey to Chester Zoo, and then follows NCN Route 56 and NCN Route 5 through Newton back to the starting point at Northgate Arena.

(B) Some Traffic

These are routes on quiet lanes where some light traffic is to be expected.

Route 3 – The Hockenhall Hobble – Route No 3 explores the countryside to the SE of Chester, including Christleton Pond and the Hockenhall Platts bridges. The route is 32 km (20 miles) long. There is a short off-road section, but directions are given for a minor road alternative.

Route 5 – The Capenhurst Caper – Route No 5 is a 30 km (19 mile)route, exploring the countryside to the north of Chester. It makes use of National Cycle Routes 56 and 5, as well as quiet country lanes. There is a short section on a bridleway which has a surface suitable for bicycles.

(C) Care Required

These are routes which have short sections on roads which may be busier at times.

Route 1 – The Dodleston Doddle – Route No 1 explores a mixture of countryside and more urban areas to the south-west of Chester, including Dodleston, Gorstella, Lower Kinnerton and Westminster Park. The route is 24 km (15 miles) in length with no off-road sections.

Route 2 – The Manley Meander – Route No 2 explores the countryside to the east of Chester, taking in places of interest such as Christleton Pond and the Manley Windsurfing Centre. The route is 27 km (17 miles) in length, with no off-road sections.

River Dee Round

The River Dee round is a safe, completely traffic-free loop of 24 kms (15 miles). It follows the National Cycle Network Route 5 to the west of the city as far as Hawarden Bridge, returning via the riverside cycle path along the River Dee.