A premium three day mini-adventure exploring the fens, farmlands, stunning coast lines and cultural heritage of East Anglia with our signature luxury accommodation and hospitality
East Anglia ACT – Guided Off-Road Motorcycle Tour
A journey of discovery and adventure through the United Kingdom’s backcountry, history and culture with world class hospitality.
2026 Fully Booked - Please contact us for 2027 Tours
Duration: 4 days / 3 guided riding days / 3 nights accommodation
Start and End Location: The Royal Forest, Epping Forest
Distance: c. 815km
Tour Type: ☑️ Guided ☐ Self-Guided ☑️ Private/Custom
Expertise Level: ☑️ Low ☐ Medium ☐ High
Tour Description
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Whilst not part of the official ACT network we think this could be an awesome addition as this 815km cross-country route explores the historic kingdom of the Angles and utilises some of the best ‘green lanes’ across Essex, Hertforshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk to create a proper adventure motorcycling route that started and finishes just 10 miles from the centre of London on the edge of the historic Epping Forest.
This is three full days of riding on of some of the UK’s very best adventure bike' off-road trails and twisty back-roads weave through the historic landscapes following the paths used by armies, merchants and pilgrims over thousands of years.
This journey pairs hand-picked luxury and boutique accommodation with exceptional British cuisine at carefully selected restaurants showcasing creative menus, award-winning dining, and coastal freshness.
This is a fully supported tour specifically designed to be suitable for all types of off-road motorcycles, up to and including larger capacity adventure bikes. -
East Anglia is blessed with lots of ancient pathways that are perfect for off-road exploration and, in particular, for larger capacity adventure bikes.
Each of the counties that the tour passes through has distinct terrain ranging from the deciduous forests of Hertfordshire to the sandy trails around the Suffolk coast. Riding is fast and flowing and although there are plenty of road sections, the off-road sections come along with just the right frequency to make you feel like you are on a proper adventure and exploration of this historic part of the UK.
Aside from a few deep sand sections - which can be challenging if it has been particularly dry and dusty - the technicality of the off-road sections is low, so this tour is suitable for beginner-level riders as much as for those with more experience. -
This journey celebrates the very best of British hospitality and cuisine—the kind that has quietly earned international respect.
Each evening brings an opportunity to refresh and re-vitalise, staying at carefully selected luxury accommodation in boutique hotels.
Between riding, you'll discover why British food culture has evolved so beautifully. This is about savouring exceptional quality local ingredients that are then thoughtfully prepared and presented to give you a truly world-class tasting experience
On each of the three days, you’ll feel like you are travelling through history as you see reminders and remnants of Roman occupation, medieval religious architecture, castles, and the rich farming and fishing heritage that characterises East Anglia.
Tour Highlights
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Hertfordshire Forest Byways - the route starts in Essex but quickly dives into the byways of Hertfordshire - many of which are through ancient deciduous woodland
Roman Roads - a number of the off-road sections follow ancient roman roads
The Fens - the route criss crosses the fens of Cambridgeshire which make up for elevation in fun factor
The Norfolk Broads - one of the UK’s most picturesque national parks, the Broads is a network of navigable rivers and lakes in the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk with plenty of really fun road and off-road sections
Sandy byways in Suffolk - the byways in Suffolk are largely sand based and great fun to ride particularly as you approach and then ride alongside thew Suffolk coastline
Essex’s surprisingly extensive trail network - the route renters Essex and follows a series of long, flowing byways and backroads that connect together for a really memorable end to this mini adventure
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Your journey begins deep in Epping Forest, where Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge - built by Henry VIII - still stands among ancient oaks, and Iron Age earthworks hint at Boudicca's final stand against Rome. Nearby, Waltham Abbey holds King Harold's grave, while the Royal Gunpowder Mills tells a grittier story of England's munitions past.
Heading into Hertfordshire, you'll find Hertford tucked along the River Lea. The 15th-century castle gatehouse dominates the centre—this was where Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood, and where the fortress once held two captured kings: David II of Scotland and John II of France. Down in Salisbury Square, a water sculpture marks where four rivers converge: the Rib, Beane, Mimram and Lea.
Cambridgeshire introduces itself through Grantchester, that impossibly English village where Rupert Brooke lived at the Old Vicarage and wrote his famous 1912 poem from Berlin, homesick for honey and the church clock standing at ten to three. The 11th-century Church of Saint Andrew and Saint Mary has medieval ties to Corpus Christi College, while the thatched pubs look unchanged for centuries.
Then Ely appears across the fens—its cathedral rising like a ship from the flatlands. Founded in 672 by St Æthelthryth, the current building dates to 1083, crowned by that extraordinary Octagon Tower built in 1342 after the original collapsed. Medieval chroniclers called it one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages, and film crews have used it for everything from "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" to "The King's Speech”.
Norfolk unfolds with Downham Market's red-brick Victorian charm before the road takes you through Sandringham's tree-lined estate. The Royal Family has owned this 20,000-acre spread since 1862, making it the private retreat for five generations of monarchs—George V called it "dear old Sandringham, the place I love better than anywhere else in the world". The coast opens up at Hunstanton's cliffs before curving round to Wells-next-the-Sea, where fishing boats bob in the harbour and beach huts march along the dunes. Inland, the Broads reveal their quieter nature through Coltishall's Georgian waterfront, Acle's old bridges over marshland, and Reedham's working chain ferry crossing the River Yare.
Suffolk starts at Beccles, where the Georgian quay speaks to centuries of river trade on the Waveney. The coast road runs through Southwold—all lighthouse and beach huts and Adnams Brewery—before reaching Aldeburgh, where fishing boats still launch from the shingle and galleries dot the seafront. Head inland to Sudbury and you're riding through the same Stour Valley views that Gainsborough painted, Georgian townhouses mixed with medieval timber buildings.
Back in Essex, Castle Hedingham's Norman keep looms over medieval lanes with genuine presence. Finchingfield lives up to its reputation as England's most photographed village—the duck pond, humpback bridge and tumbling cottages around the green really do look that good. Great Dunmow offers a proper market town high street and winding country lanes before the forest closes in again at Epping, bringing you full circle to where the ride began.
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Pre-dinner Adnam's Beer Tasting on the evening of Day 2
Others TBC
Testimonials
The Riding
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One of Moto Collective's core values is that journeys are beautifully shared—our guides excel at keeping groups connected while allowing everyone to ride their own ride with complete freedom.
We begin with a comprehensive rider briefing on the Sunday evening, then our guides offer thoughtful morning briefings over breakfast so everyone understands what to anticipate and look forward to in terms of riding experiences. We provide GPS files for those who prefer their own navigation, and mesh communication units for those who enjoy staying connected during the day (though we equally understand if you'd prefer to be alone with your thoughts).
Our support vehicle carries the majority of your luggage and meets riders at regular intervals, allowing you to adjust your riding kit as needed—no need to carry everything off-road.
For off-road sections, more comfortable riders are free to ride at their own pace, while those seeking support are encouraged and guided as needed on the more technical sections. Natural breaks in the trails—gates, junctions, road crossings—allow us to regroup and stay together.
For road sections, we use the drop-off system, which allows a group to follow the same route without remaining in constant view of each other, enabling each rider to find their own rhythm.
Another of our core values is creating unforgettable experiences, so we design our journeys to allow plenty of time to capture moments and take refreshment breaks as desired. While this journey is designed to follow the planned route, your well-being is always our priority, so we reserve the flexibility to adjust as needed. As we're constantly discovering new sections—particularly off-road gems—we'll thoughtfully incorporate ACT-suitable sections to enhance the off-road experience.
Our people-first philosophy means if at any point you'd like more or less of something, simply mention it to the guides, and we'll accommodate you beautifully. Likewise, all of our guides are passionate about helping people to maximise their fun whilst riding, so they are very happy to share riding tips and coaching advice to help you to feel more comfortable with your riding.
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07.30-08.15: Breakfast and morning briefing
08.30: Wheels rolling departure - we’ve got a lot of fun riding to be done!
10.30-11.00: Morning Refreshments at hand-picked cafes
13.00-13.45: Lunch at carefully curated spots
15.15-15.45: Afternoon Refreshments
17:30: Arrive at your luxury hotel (depending on route and pace)
19.30: Dinner
Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1 - Staging/Arrival - Pre-tour meet at the Royal Forest Hotel, and opportunity to explore Epping Forest
Day 2 - East Anglia 'ACT' Day 1 - Epping Forest to Hunstanton, Norfolk - 305 km - Low to Medium difficulty*
Day 3 - East Anglia 'ACT' Day 2 - Hunstanton Norfolk to Southwold in Suffolk - 255 km - Low to Medium difficulty*
Day 4 - East Anglia 'ACT' Day3 and departure - Southwold in Suffolk back to Epping Forest - 260 km - Low to Medium difficulty*
* Difficulty is described below
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General Information
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We believe that you’ll have the most enjoyable experience on a bike you know (i.e. your own), so we do not provide rental bikes for our tours.
However, there are a number of UK motorcycle rental companies that may be able to help out if using your own machine is not practical.Please make sure that you let them know that the usage will include riding off-road on BOATs -byways open to all traffic - which are technically roads (and therefore require a road-legal, insured, bike) but which some rental firms may exclude in their terms - please double and triple check with the rental company if you are going down this route.
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Paved Roads: 66% - the route prioritises narrow unclassified roads and flowing B roads.
Off-Road/Trail: 33% - all the off-road sections are specifically selected to be ‘big bike’ suitable but incorporate a variety of surfaces and terrain - mud, grass, rock, sand - that vary as the landscapes change
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Suitable for: ☑️ Adventure Bikes (off-road biased tyres that are at least 50:50 are strongly recommended) ☑️ Trail/Enduro Bikes ☐ Road Bikes
License required: Full UK Recognised Road Licence
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The route is deliberately designed to be suitable for large capacity (above 600cc) adventure bikes, and the off-road sections, whilst eminently doable on these machines, are not without challenge, particularly when wet! The off-road sections are great fun but can be physically challenging if you are not used to riding bigger bikes off-road.
That said, this route in particular is an ideal introduction for people new to riding adventure bikes off-road.
The road sections are often on small lanes used by farmers, so they can be slippery after rain.Recommended Minimum Experience: a ‘Level 1’ course at any of the Adventure Motorcycle Training Schools in the UK - please contact us for recommendations.
You Should Be Comfortable With:
Riding 6-8+ hours per day
Riding off-road on a variety of terrain - mud, grass, sand - and comfortable on easy ascents and descents
Riding in various weather conditions
If you're unsure whether this tour is suitable for you, please contact us to discuss.
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We run this tour between May and September, i.e. the summer, but as it’s the UK, there’s no guarantee about what the weather will be like!
That said, because the route is specifically designed for adventure bikes, it rides well in all conditions, so as long as you have the right riding kit, you are going to have a great time. -
Day: 14°C - 20°C
Night: 8°C - 13°C
Tour Dates and Pricing
Monday 11th May to Thursday 14th May 2026
Monday 15th June to Thursday 18th June 2026
Monday 6th July to Thursday 9th July 2026
Tour Prices (per person)
£2,495
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Luxury accommodation for 3 nights in boutique hotels (based on an individual room per person; if you would prefer to share please let us know when booking)
Breakfast daily at all hotels
Group dinners on 3 nights, including welcome and farewell meals
Fully experienced, qualified tour guides (on a ratio of 1 guide to max 8 customers/riders)
Support vehicle providing basic motorcycle breakdown support and assistance as well as baggage transfer
Tour pack with:
Pre-loaded GPS routes with all waypoints
Hotel information and contacts
Local area guides and recommendations
Ferry crossings
Luggage transfers
Moto Collective Merch goodie bag
Moto Collective support team available 24/7
Financial protection for your booking
Use of our Mesh comms units
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Travel/medical insurance (mandatory)
Lunches and refreshments
Drinks with meals
Fuel for your motorcycle
Comprehensive motorcycle breakdown support and assistance (e.g. AA, RAC)
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Entrance fees to attractions that are not specified
Optional activities
Tips/gratuities for guides (discretionary)
Motorcycle rental (see above)
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Bookings made MORE than 90 days before the tour start date: 30% non-refundable deposit at time of booking; 40% due 60 days before departure; 30% final balance due 30 days before departure
Bookings made 60-90 days before the tour start date: 50% non-refundable deposit at time of booking; 50% final balance due 30 days before departure
Bookings made LESS than 60 days before the tour start date: 100% payment required at time of booking
Please use your booking reference from us as the payment reference
Please see our full terms of conditions for details
Booking Details
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For the scheduled tours, please check the tour dates and then contact us or complete the online booking form for your preferred tour, and let us know if you would prefer to share a room
Bookings made MORE than 90 days before the tour start date: 30% non-refundable deposit at time of booking; 40% due 60 days before departure; 30% final balance due 30 days before departure
Bookings made 60-90 days before the tour start date: 50% non-refundable deposit at time of booking; 50% final balance due 30 days before departure
Bookings made LESS than 60 days before the tour start date:100% payment required at time of booking
Once your deposit has been paid, you will receive your booking confirmation and tour information via email
1 week before your tour, you will receive your final tour pack and joining instructions via email
For custom tours (please see below), please contact us to discuss your requirements
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Tour Cancellation by the customer:
More than 90 days before the tour start date: Refund of all payments minus a 25% administration fee
60-90 days before the tour start date: Forfeit 50% of the total tour price
30-60 days before departure: Forfeit 75% of the total tour price
Less than 30 days before departure: No refund (100% forfeit)Tour Cancellation by us:
Tours require a minimum of 6 participants. If minimum numbers are not reached, Moto Collective Limited reserves the right to cancel up to 75 days before start of the tour with full refund to customers or offer alternative dates.
In addition, we reserve the right to cancel any tour; however, we would only do so in extreme circumstances. In the highly unlikely event that Moto Collective Limited cancels a tour you will be given an option to move monies paid to another tour of your choice (subject to availability) or a full refund as dictated by the relevant legislation.
Travel Insurance: Customers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance with cancellation cover at the time of booking. Moto Collective Limited's cancellation policy applies regardless of the customer's reason for cancellation, including medical emergencies, family circumstances, or travel disruptions.
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Room assignments confirmed 45 days before departure based on payments received.
Room pairs must be nominated at the time of booking. Changes to room-sharing arrangements within 60 days of departure are subject to availability and a £30 administration fee.
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Our full terms and conditions are available here.
Questions About this Tour
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Absolutely - one of our key company values is friendship and community, so welcome solo riders who very often end our tours with new riding friends.
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The guides are all experienced in dealing with common issues and will assist you as much as possible. Our support vehicle is fully equipped with tools and spares for most problems. For more serious issues, we may be able to transport your bike to a dealer/ mechanic, but we also insist that you have breakdown insurance just in case.
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No! The off-road sections are not suitable for riding with a pillion passenger
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Our focus on People-first Excellence means we try to keep group sizes small with a guide-to-rider ratio of between 1:6 and 1:8.
If you have a larger group, please contact us to discuss options. -
For the off-road sections, faster riders are free to ride at their own pace, whilst those less comfortable are supported, encouraged and helped by the guides as needed on the tougher sections. Natural breaks in the trails, i.e. gates, junctions and road crossings, allow us to re-group and keep everyone together.
For the road sections, we use the drop-off system, which allows a group of riders to follow the same route without having to remain in constant view of each other, thereby allowing each rider to ride at a pace that suits them. -
It’s the UK, there’s a good chance even in summer that the weather will be ‘bad’, i.e. wet and possibly cold! However, the route is specifically designed for adventure bikes, so it rides well in all conditions. As long as you have the right riding kit, you are going to have a great time.
We assess the expected weather conditions at the start of each day and, in the event of extreme weather, reserve the right to amend the route as needed to ensure that everyone remains as safe as possible. -
Our cafe and restaurant partners can all accommodate different dietary requirements, but to be sure, please let us know at the time of booking.
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Some basic familiarity with riding bigger adventure bikes off-road is going to enhance your experience on the tour.
To this end, if you are less experienced, we strongly recommend attending at least a ‘Level 1’course at any of the Adventure Motorcycle Training Schools in the UK - please contact us for recommendations. -
Feel free, and we’d be happy to make suggestions about places to visit and things to do, but we are unable to book any of these for you.
Please also see our general FAQ page.
Customise This Tour
Want to make this tour your own? We can offer:
Private/Custom Tours - Ride with just your group
Date Flexibility - Choose your own departure dates
Route Modifications - Adjust the itinerary to your preferences
Special Occasions - Birthday trips, bachelor parties, club rides
Contact us to discuss your perfect motorcycle adventure.
All prices, dates, and itinerary details are subject to change. Please contact us for the most current information. Images shown are representative of the tour experience.