Route 5
National Route 5 of the National Cycle Network is a long distance route which when complete will connect Reading and Holyhead via Oxford, Banbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Birmingham, Walsall, Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, Chester, Colwyn Bay and Bangor. The southern half of the route between Reading and Walsall is open and signed whilst the northern half between Walsall and Holyhead is still under development.
The route is described here from Reading to Holyhead but can be ridden and is signed in both directions where open.
A schematic map of the route is at the bottom of page.
Reading to Oxford
National Route 5 starts in Reading and follows the northern half of the Thames Valley cycle route crossing the Chiltern Hills and passing through Wallingford, Didcot and Abingdon.
Map: NN5A Thames Valley
Oxford to Burntwood
National Route 5 between Oxford and Burntwood forms much of the West Midlands cycle route (which continues from Burntwood to Derby on National Route 54). Traffic-free sections include the Stratford Greenway between Long Marston and Stratford-upon-Avon and the Rea Valley Route in Birmingham.
Map: NN5B West Midlands Cycle Route
Burntwood to Barlaston
National Route 5 is still proposed between Burntwood and Barlaston (just south of Stoke-on-Trent) with some short sections open around Stafford. For more details check on the Staffordshire routes page.
Barlaston to Kidsgrove
National Route 5 follows useful greenways through the centre of Stoke-on-Trent using canal towpaths and disused railways.
Map: A free Stoke-on-Trent & Newcastle-under-Lyme cycling map can be downloaded or ordered from Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Kidsgrove to Chester
The route to Chester connects Kidsgrove with Winsford, Northwich, Frodsham and Chester.
Map: A map and guide to National Route 5 in Cheshire can be downloaded from Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Chester to Connah's Quay
A popular traffic-free route takes National Route 5 out of England into Wales.
Map: Download Chester-Connah's Quay (pdf)
Connah's Quay to Prestatyn
Currently following a signed inland on-road route between Flint and Prestatyn via Gorsedd and Gronant, a traffic-free coastal route is proposed.
Prestatyn to Abergele
Mainly traffic-free sea-front cycling between classic north Wales seaside towns.
Map: Download Denbighshire (Rhyl - Prestatyn) (pdf)
Rhyl to Conwy
Coastal traffic-free route passing through Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea continuing to Conwy on road. Future developments will see the route passing through Llandudno.
Conwy to Llanfairfechen
This section of National Route 5 is currently awaiting development and is a crucial missing link along the north Wales coast. More information on the North Wales News pages.
Llanfairfechen to Holyhead
The final leg of National Route 5 is all open, signed and mainly on-road along the coast to Bangor and then across Anglesey to Holyhead.
Schematic map of National Route 5:
National Route 5: Reading to Holyhead