Spotlight On Steve, Owner of New Forest Cycling Tours

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role

Having lived in Kent for all of my life, I moved to this area a couple of years ago to set up my cycling business. Initially, New Forest Cycling Tours focussed on guided cycling tours of the New Forest National Park and surrounding areas but this year, I decided to launch three new rides in Wiltshire;

• The Historic Three: Salisbury, Sarum and Stonehenge (30-mile circular tour)
• The Ancient Ridgeway and Avebury Cycle Tour (27-mile circular tour)
• Green Man of Wiltshire and the Kennet & Avon Canal Tour (27-mile circular tour)

I’m a qualified British Cycling Level 2 mountain bike leader and I take small groups of people and individuals out on guided cycle rides in this wonderful county.

What do you like best about your role?

I not only love meeting new people but getting to show them parts of the country that they might not know of. From hidden gems to pieces of our nation’s history, there’s a lot to discover. Every ride is different, and you never know what you might encounter.

Where are your favourite places to visit in Wiltshire and why?

I’ve always been in awe of Avebury and the immense history that surrounds it. Every time I visit, I discover something new or see a different angle of the Stone Circle that I haven’t seen before.

I also love the Wiltshire area of the New Forest National Park and this side of the New Forest is less busy than the other areas. During spring it’s particularly beautiful with the fresh shoots and the New Forest Pony foals.

Do you have any hidden Wiltshire gems that you’d like to share with our readers?

It’d have to be some of the areas that you can find surrounding Avebury really. Whether it’s stepping inside of the West Kennet Long Barrow or finding Devel’s Den on the Marlborough Downs, you really feel connected to Wiltshire’s amazing history.

I also love going in search of the Green Man on my Green Man of Wiltshire and the Kennet & Avon Canal Tour – he can be tricky to spot and it’s great to be able to show him to visitors.

Where’s your favourite Wiltshire picnic spot?

This is a tough one as there are so many glorious spots but one of my favourites include the area along the tow path of the Kennet & Avon Canal beside Crofton Beam Engines. It’s great to be able to sit and watch the passing narrowboats whilst looking over some of Wiltshire’s heritage.

Another great spot is on my Stonehenge tour. We stop off just outside the World Heritage Site in glorious countryside. Again, you can really feel the history surrounding you and it’s a lovely place to relax on a tour.

Where are your favourite places to eat out in Wiltshire and why?

I love eating out at Maul’s Cheese restaurant in Salisbury. Trying some of the local specialities and other country’s cheeses as well as some fine wines, you can’t go wrong!