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It’s a little breezy up here in Ireland’s most northerly city, Derry~Londonderry. But a bit of wind is only to be expected if you live on the shores of the North Atlantic. Still, few people come here for the climate – these days visitors are more likely to be looking for culture, “craic” (fun) and cuisine.

And a good way to find it all in one go is with a cycle tour. Far and Wild will escort you round this dramatically historic old city and provide you with all three. “We’re a not-for-profit organisation, and we promote slow, quality, locally sourced food on this city tour with a difference,” explains director Lorcan McBride. “You get a genuine foodie city experience and a bit of gentle exercise to work off the indulgence.”

The thing about Derry~Londonderry is you don’t need to go to museum or read a book to delve into its history; there are aide-memoires of the past just about everywhere in the old town.

Once our party was suitably togged out, away we went. I hadn’t cycled for many years (shame on me I know) but it’s true — you never forget how to ride a bicycle.

The slow adventure cycling tour starts in St Columb’s Park, a 70-acre demesne, equipped with a “Big House”. Lorcan explains some of the history of the park, as well delving into the impact of the Ulster Plantation. It was in the 17th century that Derry~Londonderry adopted its "London" prefix, thanks to London guilds setting up shop here.

“And the salmon in the river was a deal clincher to the London Guild who financed the building of the Walled City,” says Lorcan as he gazed up at the wide bend in the River Foyle. At the time Lough Foyle was teeming with salmon. “Sadly no more. Fishing is by licence and line caught only, so tasting locally-caught salmon is a rarity. The history of the city is totally bound up with the river; and has been right back to the 6th century.”