Skirlaugh to Sutton Village Cycling for families (Trans Pennine Trail)

Skirlaugh is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, in an area known as Holderness. It is situated approximately 7 miles northeast of Hull city centre on the A165 road. Originally a farming community, it is now primarily a commuter village for Hull.

We had the pleasure of recently staying in Willow Pastures Country Park in Skirlaugh which is a small holiday lodge site. One of the draws to the lodge park was its proximity to the Trans Pennine Trail. They weren’t lying. The Trans Pennine route is flat and incredibly family-friendly with the majority of the route being on non-car routes.

You can actually travel in two directions. One is towards Hull City centre (approximately 8 miles) while the other takes you to the coastal region of Hornsea. We chose the route towards Hull City Centre but stopped at the village of Sutton. As you can see from the map below the village is in fantastic proximity to the trail. (In the green).

Where does the ride take me?

From Willow Pastures Country Park you will see directions to the Trans Pennine trail.

The Trail is perfect for family cycles or teaching children how to ride a bike unaided as it’s incredibly flat and largely a tarmac surface. We headed down the trail passing through beautiful fields and small Hamlets.

The route seems popular with locals; especially dog walkers and cyclists. You feel very safe at all times and there are no real hills or difficult parts.

The paths are wide, the nature is abundant and it’s a brilliant place to teach kids how to ride too.

We ventured through the village of Swine and continued cycling until we reached Sutton. At Sutton there’s a nice play park for the kids as well as a high street. On the High Street we had the pleasure of visiting the local cafe (which was incredibly busy) Church Street Café. We ordered a couple of sausage rolls and a brownie. All products are homemade and the Sausage roll was one of the best we’ve ever tasted.

We couldn’t sit down as all the tables were booked however we enjoyed the food on a local bench and found the village friendly and welcoming.

What level of rider is it suitable for?

The Trans Pennine Trail route from Skirlaugh to Sutton is very much for beginners. The route is largely flat, the surface is tarmac and is safe for children of all ages. It’s a good place for those who are beginning their journey as independent riders.

How much of it is traffic-free?

The Trans Pennine route to Sutton village is completely traffic-free once you have located the route. Dependant upon the location you start your journey within Skirlaugh you may have a slight bit of traffic.

Would you recommend it?

Absolutely! If you have young children or are new to cycling then this is a perfect place to visit. It’s safe, the paths are wide and the surface is tarmac so very easy to navigate on.

The cycle paths are also completely traffic-free which as a parent is reassuring as it enables you to enjoy your own ride instead of worrying about the safety of your children.

Once you get to Sutton Village there’s a nice little playpark as well as amenities on the high street to break up the cycle before the ride home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cafe?:

Church Street Coffee & Kitchen is available within Sutton Village and offers all types of food including full breakfasts and tasty snacks. We particularly enjoyed the brownie which was sensational. If you are looking for a table and it’s a weekend then it’s highly recommended that you book to avoid disappointment as it’s a busy little cafe.

Are there any hills?:

There’s a no real inclines on the route. Everything is relatively flat and easy to cycle on.

What is your favourite part?:

There’s so much to see on the route. Beautiful open views and plenty of nature throughout the path. Because the route is an old train line there are signs of some of the spots from years gone by. It’s a nice little touch on the route.

Is it suitable for Dog walkers?

The Trans Pennine route is perfect for Dog Walkers. There are plenty of places for the dogs to explore and it seems to be an incredibly popular route with many parking within the provided car park in Skirlaugh. You should see the sign for the trial and you can choose which direction works for you.

How much is it to park?

The car park is free on a first come first serve basis. There is however plenty of parking opportunities throughout the Village should you struggle

Pros & Cons

Cycle enjoyment rating

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Ryan