One of the questions riders often ask before the trip is what the accommodation will actually be like each night. This guide gives an overview of where the team will be staying along the route, along with the facilities we currently know about and a few useful notes for each stop.
As with any group trip, some arrangements can change, so we’ll always share any important updates with the team directly. For now, this should give you a good sense of what to expect and help you prepare for the trip.
Day 0 – Saturday 13 June – Orientation
Location: John O’Groats Caravan and Camping Site
Stay type: Camping
What to expect:
We’ll be camping at John O’Groats Caravan and Camping Site, a quiet site right by the coast. It has good grass for pitching tents, beach access, and a shower and toilet block on site, making it a lovely place to begin the trip. With the sea so close, it can sometimes be quite windy, so it’s worth making sure your tent is well secured.
Facilities:
- Toilets: Available on site
- Showers: Available on site
- Kitchen access: Limited
- Charging points: Limited – restaurants and cafes near by and team Jackery unit as backup.
Nearby: In previous years, some of the team have walked up to the Seaview Hotel for dinner, which has worked well. If you need to buy food before the trip begins, there is a Lidl on the way into town. On Day 1, Rest Stop 1 is in Thurso at a large Tesco supermarket.
Notes: Breakfast options nearby are limited, as the local cafés tend not to open before our departure time. It’s a good idea to have something ready to eat at camp before setting off.
Day 1 – Sunday 14 June
Location: Bettyhill Village Hall
Stay type: Indoor
What to expect:
We are kindly hosted by the Bettyhill Village Hall at the top of the final hill of the day. It gives us a practical base for the night after our first day on the road with one main room and a few smaller rooms off it to sleep.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Not available on site – working on the local swimming pool or campsite.
Kitchen access: Available on site
Charging points: Plenty
Nearby: There is a general store open until 6pm, and the hotel bar serves food. A good spot to spend the evening whether it’s getting to know teammates over dinner or playing pool. Easy access to some beautiful beaches to take in sunset (although that’s not till the early hours being so far north).
Notes: No breakfast options immediately in Bettyhill. Be prepared with some food to have before setting off.
Day 2 – Monday 15 June
Location: Diamond Jubilee Hall, Evanton
Stay type: Indoor
What to expect:
Evanton is another small village, but has dinner options at the Novar Arms Hotel or Indian Takeaway and a small Co-op to restock on food. Again, limit breakfast options. Highland Farm Cafe is only a few miles into day 3, but only opens at 10am, and the town of Dingwall shortly after that.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Not available on site – working on options at the Novar Arms hotel or Black Rock Campsite.
Kitchen access: Available
Charging points: Plenty
Day 3 – Tuesday 16 June
Location: Fort Augustus Village Hall
Stay type: Indoor
What to expect:
The Fort Augustus Village Hall is an indoor stop close to the centre of town run by the local community company. Plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants in town. The perfect spot to wander up the famous flight of five staircase locks on the Caledonian Canal or sit on the southern tip of Loch Ness.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Not available on site – confirming with Scottish Canals about using their shower houses.
Kitchen access: Available
Charging points: Plenty
Day 4 – Wednesday 17 June
Location: By The Way Campsite, Tyndrum (Unconfirmed – Opens April 1st)
Stay type: Camping
What to expect:
This is a well-used stop for travellers heading through the Highlands and gives us access to good on-site facilities. Beautiful surroundings with 360 degree mountain views, but be prepared for midges as there can be a lot of them. There is good pub food at The Tyndrum Inn. Breakfast may be possible at The Real Food Cafe, TJ’s Diner or The Green Welly Shop.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site
Kitchen access: Limited kitchen facilities available
Charging points: Limited
Day 5 – Thursday 18 June
Location: St Mary’s for All Church, Hamilton
Stay type: Indoor
What to expect:
A relatively new host for us, but they’ve been incredibly accommodating for the teams in recent years. Showers and a kitchen available making life easier after a long day riding through Glasgow. Plenty of restaurants nearby as well as breakfast spots.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site
Kitchen access: Available on site
Charging points: Likely limited
Day 6 – Friday 19 June
Location: Unconfirmed – likely Carlisle Rugby Club
Stay type: Camping
What to expect:
We are still working on finalising details for Carlisle, however if the rugby club allow us to stay again, we will be camping alongside the main pitch. The club bar is usually open on Fridays from 5pm to 11pm and the venue offers bar food, snacks, confectionery and soft drinks. Only a short walk from other eating spots like Nandos. We will confirm this overnight soon.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site
Kitchen access: Unconfirmed
Charging points: Very limited once the bar closes. Look to charge while having dinner and use the Jackery units as back up.
Day 7 – Saturday 20 June
Location: Kendal Rugby Club – Unconfirmed
Stay type: Camping
What to expect:
This overnight is kindly arranged by the local MS Society group and allows us to camp at the local rugby club. We are firming up the exact arrangements, but usually camp alongside the main pitch with access to the clubhouse for showers and toilets. Dinner has previously been put on for the team by the local MS group, but we will confirm this as the trip gets closer. A short distance into town with plenty of restaurants, cafes, pubs, breweries, supermarkets and laundromat. A lovely place to go and explore for the evening.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site
Kitchen access: Not available
Charging points: Very limited once the clubhouse closes. Look to charge while having dinner and use the Jackery units as back up.
Day 8 – Sunday 21 June
Location: Eccleston Methodist Church – Unconfirmed
Stay type: Indoor
What to expect:
An indoor spot in the small town of Eccleston with showers nearby at the Football Club. Short walk to restaurants, Sainsbury’s and takeaway options for dinner. Cafe opens at 8am one street away.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Not available on site – showered at the Recreation Ground previously but confirming.
Kitchen access: Limited but available
Charging points: Plenty
Day 9 – Monday 22 June
Location: Wharf Tavern Campsite, Market Drayton
Stay type: Camping
What to expect:
A secluded evening outside of Market Drayton, but directly opposite the Wharf Tavern pub that offers fantastic dinner options (big portions for hungry cyclists!). The owner of the pub has a close family member with MS so allows the team to stay for free at the campsite. We like to show our appreciation with the team going for dinner and spending the evening at the pub often with a visit from the local MS Society group. No immediate breakfast options so be prepared.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site, with 24-hour access
Kitchen access: Washing-up area available
Charging points: Only in the pub.
Day 10 – Tuesday 23 June
Location: Hereford Rugby Club
Stay type: Camping
What to expect:
A connection from the local MS Society group has linked us up with the Hereford Rugby Club in recent years. Camping with access to the clubhouse for toilets and showers. Apparently the shower facilities have been vastly improved since the last time we stayed here. The bar may be open for a short while, and there are delivery options and restaurants nearby. Only a short distance from the centre of town if looking for morning breakfast options.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site
Kitchen access: Unconfirmed
Charging points: Likely limited
Day 11 & 12 – Wednesday 24 June & Thursday 25 June
Location: University of Bath – Eastwood Accommodation
Stay type: Indoor
What to expect:
We’ll be staying at the University of Bath for two nights, giving the team a more settled rest day. The university kindly host the team for free! Eastwood Terrace is campus accommodation made up of townhouses, each with a communal kitchen, and standard rooms with shared showers and toilets. Campus shops should be open, although the cafés may not be being out of semester time. There is also a bus into the city that takes around 10 minutes, and delivery options are available. Keep in mind it is at the top of a steep hill out of town so not a quick easy walk to explore the historical city on your rest day. A two-night stop can be a good chance to wash kit, reset a little, and enjoy the luxury of a bed.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site
Kitchen access: Available on site
Charging points: Plenty
Day 13 – Friday 26 June
Location: Honiton RFC
Stay type: Indoor/Camping
What to expect:
Kindly hosted by Honiton RFC with access to their clubhouse, you’ll have the option of sleeping inside or camping out if you prefer your own space. A large kitchen available along with communal showers in the clubhouse. Plenty of shops and food options in town.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site
Kitchen access: Available on site
Charging points: Plenty
Day 14 – Saturday 27 June
Location: Lostwithiel Community Centre – Unconfirmed
Stay type: Indoor
What to expect:
Although unconfirmed currently, we have traditionall stayed at the local community centre. Plenty of space inside to spread out along with access to a kitchen and communal showers. The centre also has its own café on site, which can be useful depending on opening hours at that time. A short walk to food options in town including a Coop, resturants and takeaway.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site
Kitchen access: Available on site
Charging points: Plenty
Day 15 – Sunday 28 June
Location: Land’s End Camping & Glamping
Stay type: Camping
What to expect:
For the final night, we’ll be camping at Land’s End Camping & Glamping. It has a more modern setup than some of our other camping stops, with a newly built shower and toilet block and a few extra facilities that should make for a comfortable final night together. We often go for a team meal at The First and Last Inn nearby whilst there are other restaurants down in Seven Cove, though it is a big climb back out, and there is a small Costcutter shop close by. This should be a nice place to round off the trip and enjoy one final evening together.
Facilities:
Toilets: Available on site
Showers: Available on site
Kitchen access: Fridge, freezer and microwave available
Charging points: Mobile phone charging points available on site
