Cycling friendly accommodation in the South of Scotland

If you’re planning a cycling adventure in the South of Scotland, finding cyclist-friendly accommodation is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable trip. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of accommodation providers that not only offer secure bike storage but also go the extra mile. Whether it is washing facilities for bikes; drying facilities for clothes; or flexible food options, these are the places to lay your head after a long day in the saddle. So, hop on your bike and get ready to explore the stunning landscapes of the South of Scotland, knowing that your accommodation has got your cycling needs covered!

Ideal if you want to try an e-bike

Also good for: Kirkpatrick C2C; road touring cyclists

Head to the Selkirk Arms Hotel in Kirkcudbright where the hotel offers a two-night e-bike tour option with Galloway Cycling Holidays – and don’t sweat it if you don’t own your own bike, you can hire directly for an extra fee. The package includes DBB, coffees, tours and lunches. If you are just looking for a base to do your own thing cycling wise, the hotel has safe lockable bike storage with a tools and tune area and washdown facilities. In addition Kirkcudbright will be on the Kirkpatrick C2C – our new Coast to Coast cycle route.

Hendersyde Farm Holiday Cottages offer e-bike hire through Borders Bike hire and has secure undercover bike storage as well as drying and washing facilities at its three cottages near Kelso. The website has plenty of info and links to cycling routes and trails locally so you can really explore with confidence!

Perfect for this summer’s UCI Cycling World Championships at Glentress

Also good for: Serious mountain bike enthusiasts

Tweed Valley Camping is the official popup camping site for those wishing to attend this summer’s UCI Cycling World Championships. The site will take tents, campervans and motorhomes with portaloos and waste disposal, basic showering facilities and catering vans providing coffee, breakfast and more. There is a communal area for socialising too.

Cyclists are just 4 minutes from local trails and a short 7-minute cycle to the centre of Innerleithen for supplies. And if you’re heading to watch the competition, it’s a 25-minute walk to the free shuttle bus to the UCI events.

Outside of this summer’s competitions, a versatile option for individuals and groups is Cleikham Mill Lodge which offers the option of booking a room, a self-contained unit sleeping 4 or 8 or indeed the entire lodge sleeping 12 located in the heart of the Tweed Valley in Innerleithen. The lodge has an internal bike store facility, a huge drying room and clothes washing facilities for guests. In addition the lodge has created its own website with details of the best local bike trails for your stay so there is plenty of info on hand to guide you to the best routes whether you want gravel, road or cross-country mountain bike trails!

If you fancy a bit more comfort how about Glede Knowe Guest House, also located in Innerleithen? With two 7stanes mountain bike locations nearby this is a great location for serious mountain bikers wanting to take on the challenges at Innerleithen and Glentress Forest. Glede Knowe Guest house offers secure racking for mountain bikes; power wash facilities for bikes as well has having laundry and drying facilities. A lovely touch are the packed lunches available so if you are really in the groove at meal time you can just down wheels in a scenic spot and take it all in.

Hospitable hostelries

Also good for: Kirkpatrick C2C

If you like your creature comforts after a tough day in the saddle then these hotels offer you the perfect blend of cycling welcome and comfy beds. The King’s Arms Hotel in Castle Douglas has an enthusiastic cyclist at its helm so there is no shortage of knowledge if you need help. There is safe bike storage and two bike repair shops in town and superb info about the road, gravel and mountain biking options available locally on the hotel’s website and once you arrive.

Over in the Scottish Borders, the Allanton Inn offers quality, seasonal local food to keep you fuelled up for the road. Stay in one of its seven cosy bedrooms; there is outside storage for bikes and lots of info on cycling trails and routes locally. Near Duns, the inn has won awards for its hospitality so you can be assured of a fantastic stay.

Great for cycling groups

There is a growing collection of community backed bunkhouses in the South of Scotland and these provide the ideal overnight stop for groups of cyclists wanting facilities that are budget friendly. The Newcastleton Bunkhouse offers an ideal place for those wanting to test out the 7stanes Newcastleton. This has excellent mountain biking for all levels but is less crowded than its more famous counterparts in the northern Borders. The bunkhouse has a secure pod to park bikes and gear overnight as well as a large drying room in case your clothes get soggy and even a laundry!  It is also ideally located on the new Kirkpatrick C2C route.

And road touring cyclists down on the Machars Peninsula will be delighted to find the New Town Hall Bunkhouse in Whithorn. There are bike racks as well as bike repair stations and also ebike charging points – handy to know when you’re exploring the country roads in this area slightly off the beaten track.

Mountain bikers heaven

How about a self-catering option with free use of a pool to soothe your aching muscles after a day out mountain biking? Stay at Thistle Lodges which has three of the famous 7stanes mountain bike centres within easy reach – Dalbeattie, Ae Forest and Mabie Forest. Based near Sandyhills, the cottage has bike storage, bike wash and tool provision helping cyclists to keep their equipment in top form.

Family friendly options

Another self-catering option is the 5-star award-winning Airhouses at Lauder, offering terrific creature comforts – private hot tubs, 4G Wifi and Smart TVs for starters.  Bring your own bikes or you can hire on site (e-bikes too!). Furthermore there is plenty of info about pump tracks for kids to try as well as links to family friendly cycling at Dalkeith Country Park or more challenging mountain biking at 7stanes Glentress. And picnic boxes are available so you can choose your favourite viewpoint and just stop and enjoy.

Best for B&B

Newark Farmhouse B&B, Sanquhar, is a base to explore the mountain bike routes at Drumlanrig estate, located just a few miles from the farm. Or jump in the car and take your bikes to 7stanes Ae Forest. This mountain biking centre has a good mix of trails as well as a serious downhill section. Newark provides secure storage for bikes as well as a pressure washer so you can clean your bike after a muddy ride. They also provide an evening meal option as well as packed lunches and facilities to wash and dry your clothes if needed.

If you are road touring, Lindean Guest House in Dumfries offers a secure bike lock-up facility and somewhere clothes can drip-dry in case you get caught out in a downpour! Their website has info on cycle routes locally and it is located on the new Kirkpatrick C2C.

Great for cycling from your door…

Based in the heart of the Mabie forest, Marthrown of Mabie is perhaps the only accommodation able to claim to be the mountain bike equivament of’ ‘ski to your door’! Mabie Forest is one of the world-class 7stanes mountain bike venues located across the South of Scotland. The unique and unusual accommodation offers self-catering facilities in glamping yurts, a tipi, tents, cottages or the Celtic Roundhouse. The trails in the forest cater for all abilities and offer up some beautiful spots to relax and really enjoy forest mountain biking at its best.