Customer Reviews: Wilderness England

KS

Kathryn Sheneman

Road Cycling - Coast to Coast

Reviewed on 14/08/2026

Age: 70 - 80
Country: United States
Trip Date: 26/07/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Bridget was quick to provide responses both online and by phone. I also appreciated being able to clink on links to get additional information. There was never mention that we would get jerseys however so I went and purchased some unnecessarily since we ultimately received some but only received the information after I had already arrived in England. I did find it worrisome that groups were limited to just two e bikes ker group. I felt I kept needing to check to ensure I would have an ebike. Other companies do not seem to have such limitations and I was sure how that made sense. Finally, as much as I dislike admitting it, while I was set on wanting to cycle the England Coast to Coast trail, as it was cancelled last year, I believe the trip might have been slightly beyond my capabilities. Some of this was a brand new mystery condition I developed and age, but it was tough going.

Trip Comments

For me the highlight was again traveling through my beloved Yorkshire Dales. I feel like this could have been an architectural tour. The wonderful design of the houses and the stone walls was continually breathtaking. I really appreciated Nat fullsome knowledge base of the history, the geology, and such. I liked having a dinner on our own. It gave me a d my travel companion a chance to relax and...gossip, haha. I am sure there are more stories but they escape me now. Probably what really was so nice was that our guides were truly present 24/7. It felt like they enjoyed being with us. They were always on and ready.

Accommodation & Food

While the hotel in Keswick was nice enough, we arrived so late that we did not get to see Keswick at all. Now that is probably impossible to change. The hotel was nice but no views and there was not anything special about it. I worried when I saw we had such a limited menu that WE was just trying to save money. However, the next three hotels had much more character. I loved The Black Swan in large part because they had a mini fridge in the hallway with milk so I could have my morning coffee with real milk. Although it makes perfect sense for meals to be in the hotel where we stay given how tired we are and such, but unfortunately, the hotels don't always have the best meals. I forget if it was The White Bear or Newton Roseberry but I remember thinking the meals left a little to be desired. Lunches were consistently excellent. As for the cycling,bi very much appreciated how Rickie and Nat so easily, it appeared, tended to the bicycles. They made it seem effortless even though they were constantly working.

Your Guide

I tried to keep my expectations in check because my last two bicycle trips have been with Backroads Adventures who are truly a long-time experienced company. That said, I have to say that Ricky and Nat were truly excellent and measured up in every sense. They had a balance of professionalism and courtesy with good cheer, endless good cheer, and friendliness. I always felt like they actually enjoyed being with us, and that this was not just a job to them. I don't mean to talk about them as if they're not individuals, because they are. But they did their jobs excellently. As I understand, they did not really know each other beforehand and this can often be a tricky thing as you know. But they seem to collaborate and seemed like they got along well. They're two very, very different kinds of individuals, and they each have their own fascinating histories. They regaled us with great stories, as well as asking us about our stories. They made the trip a real pleasure. They also made the trip feel very safe. They both had a notable sense of safety consciousness, even though they were relaxed as individuals. I took a couple of falls and they addressed them quite quickly and thoroughly. Additionally, I had a personal tragedy occur in my family back home during the trip, and Ricky in particular was very helpful and kind in handling that. I think very highly of both Ricky and Nat.

The Bottom Line

It surprises me that the group was not larger for the England Coast to Coast cycling trip. It surprised me that the trip I signed up for last year had to be canceled because I was the only one signed up for it. This is an incredible trip, one of the most beautiful trips I have ever taken. I don't think that giving my age and the difficulties I faced during the trip that I could ever do it again, and maybe it was a bit beyond my capabilities in some respects, but gosh am I ever glad that I did it. It was glorious, just glorious. I didn't mention, but what I particularly loved also were the animals. I think I may have been about the only one in our group who had a real orientation to animals, perhaps because of where I live at home. But seeing the sheep and the cows and all the dogs was just the best for me. I might would have liked to have learned a bit more about the sheep and the cows. They're unlike species that I know of at home. For example, the Galloway belted cow. But for me seeing these animals was really a key part of wonderfulness of this trip.

JC

John Cooper

Self Guided+ Cycling - Coast to Coast

Reviewed on 12/08/2026

Age: 60 - 70
Country: United States
Trip Date: 03/08/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

When you say your hills are steep you mean it!

LD

Leonore Daum

26WEPD Private Departure

Reviewed on 11/08/2026

Age: 50 - 60
Country: Schweiz
Trip Date: 02/08/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Unique and beautiful trip!

KT

Kathleen Tanham

26WETM Tailor Made trips

Reviewed on 11/08/2026

Age: 70 - 80
Country: Australia
Trip Date: 25/07/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

A great trip.

LC

Linda Cooper

Self Guided+ Cycling - Coast to Coast

Reviewed on 11/08/2026

Age: 60 - 70
Country: United States
Trip Date: 03/08/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

The ride was more difficult than we expected. Even with the descriptions of miles, elevations, speed, we were surprised by the wind! It increased the level of difficulty by quite a bit. But other than that, we had a great time, I would do it again in a heartbeat, and would suggest it to my cycling friends. The organization, and ease of moving from location to location gets my highest rating. A lot of moving parts, but it was all seamless.

MT

Mary Testerman

Self Guided+ Cycling - Coast to Coast

Reviewed on 10/08/2026

Age: 60 - 70
Country: United States
Trip Date: 03/08/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

I have been on several bike trips with backroads and VBT in Europe and US. Wilderness England was fantastic in the total design…routes. Hotels. Food. Bike performance. Price was great I would definitely recommend Wilderness to my friends Thank you for a fabulous trip!!

KB

Kit Binns

Road Cycling - Coast to Coast

Reviewed on 10/08/2026

Age: 70 - 80
Country: USA
Trip Date: 26/07/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

My travel companion, Kathryn Sheneman, and I were both very pleased by the comprehensive and timely pre-ride communication from Vicki and Bridget, especially considering the time difference between the UK and the US. Their responses were almost immediate, always helpful, and sometimes pro-active. I'll have more to say about the latter as I later address the synergy between office and tour staff.

Trip Comments

Rickie and Nat were knowledgeable, flexible, funny, and accommodating. We were surprised to find that this was their first time working together as guides. Their synergy appeared seamless, as if they had long worked together. I think this seamlessness applied to the whole Wilderness operation, including the office staff. Example: a one dinner I noted how I appreciated the Vicki and emailed me to inquire (very delicately!) if I understood how rigorous this trip would be even with an e-bike or a 79 year old who is a regular cyclist, but with little long-distance experience. Rickie and Nat noted that this was in part because they, too, had read the rider summaries and had concerns, which they had raised. I admire and applaud this kind of interior, comprehensive communication and care on the part of all Wilderness staff. And to reassure you in retrospect, yes, it was challenging and tiring and I loved every minute of it! The e-bike was critical - I used the green for most of it, occasionally blue, rarely purple - and I don't think I would have been comfortable on an analog bike.

Accommodation & Food

I have no complaints, other than one hotel room that did not have a fan, which I find necessary when it is warm or stuffy and there is no air conditioning. But the rooms were comfortable and clean and I'm not particularly fussy about accommodations. The food was also good to excellent, but, again, I was on the trip for the cycling through the gorgeous countryside, not for the food or lodging.

Your Guide

Rickie and Nat are superb guides and companions. Beyond being top-notch at all the logistics, knowledgable about the history, geography, flora/fauna, etc., they are delightful companions and completely aside from their professional competence they are interesting, thoughtful, and truly profound people on a wide range of subjects, such that I felt enriched by simply being in their orbit.

The Bottom Line

I think my comments throughout this feedback survey adequately convey my feelings that Wilderness England provided an exceptionally well-designed and well-run coast to coast cycle tour, supported by professionally excellent and personally charming staff, and that I would recommend your organization for anyone looking to use your services. Many thanks Kit Binns

OS

Olivia Strickland

Deluxe Walking - Highlights of Wales

Reviewed on 08/08/2026

Age: 20 - 30
Country: United States
Trip Date: 18/07/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

This was the best trip I’ve ever been on. I don’t think there’s anything I would change

LG

Laurance Geri

Road Cycling - Coast to Coast

Reviewed on 07/08/2026

Age: 60 - 70
Country: United States
Trip Date: 26/07/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Overall it was a great experience. The Coast to Coast route is beautiful and daily distances were manageable. Accommodations and food were very good and we had helpful rest stops at just the right frequency. We had very interesting cultural stops. But overall it was challenging thanks to the amount of climbing required and relatively frequent steep grades. On an E bike—no problem. On an analog bike ( which I had)….yikes! Part of our training was on long climbs but our road engineers don’t build many paved roads that have the kinds of grades we had to climb during this tour. Our guides managed the challenge of a combined e-bike and analog bike group well but I had to work hard at times to keep up. Yet I’d happily do it again. And we would happily do another tour with Wilderness England.

RF

Rachel Friedman

Road Cycling - Coast to Coast

Reviewed on 06/08/2026

Age: 60 - 70
Country: U.S.A.
Trip Date: 26/07/2026
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Very pleased with the whole experience. A couple of suggestions: 1. This should be designated a difficult trip. It was not intermediate in any way. 2. Another interesting cultural opportunity should be a visit to a farm that is practicing regenerative agriculture so that clients can see that Britain farmers are using the best methods for animal husbandry and habitat protection.

Wilderness Scotland

Client Reviews

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Want more Wilderness in your life?

Select Your Main Interest Below

Check out more great content from our teams in other locations.

We’re Not Online Just Now