Cycling: South Lytchett Manor to Sandbanks

Difficulty rating: 2/5
Bike Type: Hybrid, Mountain bike
Terrain: mostly tarmac with some gravel sections through Upton Country Park
Profile: Mostly flat with a few undulations and one hill
Distance: 8 miles
Estimated Time:
Must See: Upton Country Park, Poole Quay, Baiter Park

Click here for route map

This is a great route for beginner cyclists, or those looking for a short scenic cycle ride.

Exit the gates of South Lytchett Manor and turn left and over the flyover in the cycle lane.
Continue straight until you come to two mini roundabouts together with the Costa Coffee visible on the left-hand side.
Go straight over the two mini roundabouts past the Coop on the right and down the road until you get to the bottom of the hill. The road veers sharply to the left near the end, continue straight on
here rather than follow the turn and take the right hand turn into Upton Country Park.

You can either stop here and take in the delights of Upton Country Park, or you can immediately turn left and follow the track that will take you around the edge of Upton Country Park, eventually
winding its way around Holes Bay. Continue to follow the signs for Poole Centre with the Bay on your right and the dual carriageway visible on your left. Eventually, you will see the large 24-hour
Asda on your right once you reach the main traffic lights. Cross straight over the first set and then follow the signs into the high street. Turning right on the high street and following it down to the
end will bring you out onto Poole Quay.

Turn left on Poole Quay and follow the path hugging the Quay line. This will continue the whole way through Baiter Park and is available for walking and riding all year around. At the very end of
the Park, you will come to Sandbanks Road. Turn left and in the on-road cycle lane, keep following the road until all the way through Lilliput and up to the summit of Evening Hill. There is a
viewpoint to the right of the road as it descends sharply down into Sandbanks Bay. Continue on to the spit a choice of rest stops between the bay on one side and the golden sands of Sandbanks
beach on the other!

Extensions: If you’re looking for a slightly longer ride, you could always continue on to Bournemouth to the left (cycling along the front promenade September to June: unrestricted, July
and August: permitted before 10:00 am and after 6:00 pm) or take the ferry over to Studland (a ticket for a bike is £1) from the end of the spit.

Top Tips: Two of our favourite local independent lunch spots are in Lilliput:
Rockets and Rascals – Great as they have free bicycle locks available for you to lock your bike outside and a great cycle shop linked to the café.
Mark Bennett Patisserie – The most divine cakes, pastries and handcrafted sandwiches!