A family day out by bike on the Strawberry Line
What you'll do
Explore the Strawberry Line by bike on this family day out for up to five people, where all you need to do is turn up and the Strawberry Line team will have bikes, a picnic and a route ready for you.
You’ll find out everything you need to know about your route and what to look out for with the help of one of the Strawberry Line team. In this introduction you’ll be given plenty of tips and you’ll get set up on your bikes. Your Strawberry Line host will also be available on the phone throughout your experience, just in case you have any problems with your bikes.
After your briefing it's time to set off on your adventure.
Traffic-free for most of the route, making it ideal for even novice cyclists, the Strawberry Line is a level path perfect for a day out by bike. The route runs for 9 miles from Yatton station to Cheddar offering an 18-mile round trip and the perfect day out to enjoy with family. Along the way, you’ll pass cider apple orchards, woods, fields and valleys. You’ll cross over the River Yeo, pass fishing lakes and visit Cheddar Reservoir - all of which are great places for a picnic or to view life and nature on the water.
You’ll discover more about the history of the Great Western Railway. The Yatton to East Somerset line ran from 1870 until 1963 and you can look out for signs and spot the old station platforms at Congresbury and Winscombe. Visit the medieval square in Axbridge with its 14th-century church and town museum.
The Strawberry Line runs through wildlife-rich wetlands, a nature reserve and farmland. Look out for information about which species to watch out for: otters, grass snakes, toads, newts and many varieties of butterflies, birds and bats. Cycle under Shute Shelve Hill through the 165-metre railway tunnel. Lined with hard limestone, it's home to bats and rare cave spiders!
Most of the route is traffic-free - you’ll cross the A370 at Congresbury using the pelican crossing and at Sandford there is a short stretch of a country lane. You’ll also cycle through the quiet town of Axbridge.
Bikes are available for all ages and sizes. Adaptive bikes for people with disabilities are also available. The minimum age for riding is 4, but younger children can travel in style as a passenger on an adult bike in a child’s bike seat or trailer.
Hop on your bikes and enjoy a fun, family day out exploring with a picnic too, on the Strawberry Line.
Minimum fitness level required.
Upcoming dates
Yuup extras
- A picnic lunch is included
Facilities
- Child friendly
- Parking
- Refreshments available
COVID-19 guidelines
- You will spend the majority of your experience outdoors on your own
- During the briefing at the start of your experience you must wear a face mask
- Bicycles are cleaned and sanitised between hires
On the day
- The Strawberry Line starts and finishes at Yatton railway station (less than 15 miles from Bristol)
- There is a direct train from Bristol Temple Meads or you can park in the car park at Yatton railway station for £3.20 a day
- The minimum age for riding is 4, but younger children can travel in style as a passenger on an adult bike in a child’s bike seat or trailer
Changes happen, don't worry
About Strawberry Line Cycle Project
The Strawberry Line Cycle Project is a not for profit community cycle organisation based at Yatton railway station. Back in 1978, the Strawberry Line Society talked North Somerset Council into buying some of the old railway, known as The Strawberry Line. The charity then leased the track, turning it into a path and nature reserve. The line is named after the volume of strawberries it carried from Cheddar to London markets, and even today Cheddar is still famous for its strawberries.
View more experiences by Strawberry Line Cycle ProjectHow to get there
Any questions?
Ask your question directly to Strawberry Line Cycle Project .