While you’ll be looking for a warm welcome and a relaxed easy-going atmosphere in your biker friendly accommodation, there are a number of other things you should consider before booking your well earned break.
Here the team at Bikesure throw some light on some of the things you should be looking for in biker friendly accommodation, some of the routes and attractions you may want to visit and some well-sited venues at which to stay.
Things to look for in biker friendly accommodation
The first priority when looking for biker friendly accommodation should be safe and secure storage for your motorbike. A lockable garage would be ideal but you may have to settle for a ground anchor on which to chain your machine. Car park security lighting would be a bonus too.
Also, find out if there is a drying room and hanging rack available for your bike gear — just in case the heavens open and you get drenched en route to the B&B.
Check-out the accommodation on social media to get the vibe of the place. Surprising as it may be, some people aren’t that enamoured by the biking scene and you don’t want to create too much of a culture shock for the locals when you arrive.
Find a biker friendly accommodation close to some walks of interest so you can get the circulation flowing again after spending all that time in the saddle.
Great road-trips with biker friendly accommodation nearby
Here we come up with six suggested road-trip routes and give shout-outs to biker friendly accommodation nearby.
1. Porlock Hill, Somerset
Many a touring holiday has ground to a halt on Porlock Hill which connects Somerset to Devon on a precipitous scenic route with the Atlantic on one side and Exmoor on the other. The views are breathtaking.
Porlock Hill climbs 725 feet in just under a mile and boasts the steepest gradient of any A-road in the UK. Signs warn of a 1 in 4 (25% gradient) climb. Thank goodness there are several emergency escape roads in which to take sanctuary. You’ll need that biker friendly accommodation after besting this beast.
Where to stay: Rockvale House, Lynton
A Tripadvisor review says: “Lovely location and equally lovely biker friendly accommodation, it couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful. Parking was good with a full car parking space for the bike, there is also good security lighting.
“Our room had great views over Lynton and the hills opposite. Ideally located to explore Lynton, Lynmouth, Porlock and other coastal villages and Exmoor. A special treat was seeing the badgers having their supper in the evening, while in the comfort of the lounge.”
2. Snake Pass, Peak District National Park
With outstanding views and exceptional scenery, Snake Pass (A57) is a biker’s dream, a road you’ll want to ride again and again. The landscape is particularly impressive at the start of the descent into Glossop where you can see as far as Manchester, weather permitting.
The road runs through the Peak District from Glossop to Sheffield and it gets its name from the snake-like twists and turns and dramatic ascents and descents.
Where to stay: Snake Pass Inn, A57, Derbyshire
What to expect: Famous biker friendly accommodation, a warm welcome, lots of parking and accommodation and sat bang in the middle of the great Snake Pass. It’s a great place to stay and a great meet-up point for like minded bikers.
A decent bar and a hearty breakfast make this a perfect place to recharge the batteries before getting back out to explore the Pass and the nearby Peak District National Park.
3. North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile (830 km) scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle.
Stunning scenery and wildlife are in spades as the route takes in the traditional counties of Inverness-shire, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Caithness.
Working clockwise, from Inverness you run via Muir of Ord, Applecross (including the Bealach na Bà), Gairloch, Ullapool, Scourie, Durness, Castle of Mey, Thurso, John o’Groats, Wick, Dunrobin Castle, Dingwall then back to Muir of Ord and Inverness. The North Coast 500 will not disappoint.
Where to stay: Invershin Hotel Bunkhouse & Bar, Sutherland, Scotland
What to expect: Six comfortable doubles and bunkhouse for groups of up to 10 in four separate rooms in this biker friendly accommodation.
With a roaring fire in the Invershin’s Highland bar, bikers are guaranteed a warm welcome. The hotel is perfectly placed for the North Coast 500.
Hayabusa UK members said: “The best place for bikers! Great roads, great bar, great food, and comfortable beds. It’s brilliant.”
4. Hardknott Pass, Cumbria
Hardknott Pass is a hill pass between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley in the lovely Lake District.
It is the joint steepest road in Britain with a maximum gradient of 1 in 3 (about 33%). It rises to a maximum of 1,289ft, and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea 65 miles away can be seen on a clear day.
Attractions closer to hand include Hardknott Roman Fort, Birks Bridge, Three Shire Stone, Stanley Ghyll Force Waterfall and Wast Water.
Where to stay: Lutwidge Arms, Holmbrook, Cumbria
A Tripadvisor review says: “We arrived exhausted after the restaurant had finished serving food. Nonetheless the manager himself served us a delicious lasagne.
“It was a lovely pub with a great atmosphere, great food and very friendly staff that went above and beyond to make us feel welcome! I would really recommend it!”
5. Rosedale Chimney Bank, North Yorks
Nothing remains of the 100ft chimney that gave its name to this hill between Rosedale Abbey and Hutton-le-Hole in the North York Moors.
The average gradient is a moderate 13%, but in places that rises to 1 in 3, qualifying the route as one of Britain’s steepest roads.
Popular with hill cyclists and colloquially known as the “Chain Breaker,” the road hosted the National Hill Climb Cycling Championship in 1987.
Where to stay: White Horse Farm Inn, Rosedale Abbey, North York Moors
What to expect: The 16th century White Horse Farm Inn is set on a hillside overlooking the beautiful Rosedale Abbey in the heart of North Yorkshire and provides wonderful and relaxing biker friendly accommodation.
Yorkshire’s Heritage Coast is a mere 19 miles away, with Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay and Scarborough all easily accessible. Even closer are the award winning attractions of the North York Moors Steam Railway, Eden Camp Museum and Flamingoland Theme Park and Zoo. Less than an hour away is the historical city of York, Castle Howard, Yorkshire Lavender and many more places of interest.
6. Newry to Derry, Northern Ireland
The road that stretches along the coast from Newry to Derry is one of the UK’s best roads and includes the Antrim Coast Road, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and just right for a great motorcycle holiday.
The trip gives you the chance to visit the Giant’s Causeway and the Mourne Mountains, which are some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
Where to stay: Mourne Country House Bed & Breakfast, Kilkeel, Newry, Northern Ireland
What to expect: A family run biker friendly B&B positioned in the heart of the majestic Mourne Mountains, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
The picturesque location offers beautiful vistas from all around the property and features unique views of both Northern & Southern Ireland, the Cooley & Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea.
Bikesure: the perfect companion at your biker friendly accommodation
Whichever biker friendly accommodation you are heading for on your summer bike tour, don’t forget to take specialist Bikesure motorcycle insurance with you.
As well as a fantastic deal on your bike cover you can get motorcycle breakdown cover from just £56 a year and cover for your helmet and leathers from just £29.99 a year. You will get the best insurance rates by calling 0330 123 1028.
