Days out - cycle parking

Wyndham

Summer is around the corner (let's hope!), and as I've taken up cycling again, I'm dreaming of days out. But one problem I'm finding is that while places I might want to go to have large, maintained, car parks, and even coach parks, there seems to be a distinct lack of cycle parking.

I'm not talking about town centres, but about places that are out in the country - houses, gardens, parks etc.

As an example, I got in touch with one country house to be told "We don’t have specific cycle parking, however we do have lots of trees and spaces to leave a bike out of the way that can also be used to attach a cycle lock too". I'm looking for something secure, and answers like that don't really give me confidence.

Does anyone have any advice? I've had a google, and there are a couple of sites which list parking, but they do seem to be rather sporadic, so I suspect (hope) they are not complete.

Norman_Castle

Wyndham said:

As an example, I got in touch with one country house to be told "We don’t have specific cycle parking, however we do have lots of trees and spaces to leave a bike out of the way that can also be used to attach a cycle lock too". I'm looking for something secure, and answers like that don't really give me confidence.

They clearly consider cyclists an inconvenience and irrelevance which will be tolerated as long as their bikes aren't left in the way.

[Deleted User]

I have found it's hit and miss with National Trust places, some will let you take the bike into the grounds e.g. if there is a tea room outside, some make you leave it outside - most of them I find do have lockup stands or at least fences opposite the ticket office. They're usually understanding if you're nice - I'd take a heavy duty lock though if it's going to be out of sight for any time

Mids_Costcutter

I've seen Sheffield stands (inverted U-shape metal tube fixed to ground) at a number of NT properties, however disappointingly I couldn't find any information on their web site for cycle parking at individual properties. I'll email them!

Nebulous2

This is where you need several bikes! 

I rarely lock my good bike, as it never leaves my sight when out. However my previous job involved travelling round different sites often without cycle parking. I could always find a tree, lamppost or fence to lock my bike. I had a cheaper 'work bike' for that. 

Regulars on cycle forums often have a 'pub bike' which is intended to look as though it wouldn't be worth stealing. Usually intended to be more competent than it looks. They will add tape, or even hand paint it, to help with the undesirable look. 

Indigo_and_Violet

It's very hit and miss. I take the opinion that if they're not fussed about providing cycle parking I'm not fussed about spending my time and money visiting them. Both Kew and Wakehurst have very good provision, London Zoo and Whipsnade very bad provision. But yes, it's often a case of having to call round to find out what the arrangements are. It's a pain in the bum but useful to let places know that bike parking is good for business. 

MysteryMe

Norman_Castle said:

Wyndham said:

As an example, I got in touch with one country house to be told "We don’t have specific cycle parking, however we do have lots of trees and spaces to leave a bike out of the way that can also be used to attach a cycle lock too". I'm looking for something secure, and answers like that don't really give me confidence.

They clearly consider cyclists an inconvenience and irrelevance which will be tolerated as long as their bikes aren't left in the way.

I took it more to mean out of the way of potentially being damaged by motor vehicles or opportunist thieves.  If they were anti bike or considered them an inconvenience they would hardly allow them to be attached to their trees and other parts of their property.