UKC

We are enjoying this cycling and generalyy wear stuff we have got from Sports Direct I think. Stretchy stuff with padding for our bums.
However if we are out for a day ride of say 20 miles, calling at a pub or a museum, kind of using the bike as transport, than a form of excercise, we do not want to look like Mr and Mrs Wiggins. However we do want to be comfortable and not have sore bums.
Does anyone have any tips for clothing, or clothing suppliers for this type of cycling please?

Have a look at Wiggle and check their own brand, which is dhb. Their gear is excellent value and not covered in logos. Service is quick, returns efficient and their sizing is British not Italian racing-snake.

MTB shorts with padded liners.   Thats all the 'specialised' bike gear I'd contemplate (well shoes as well for me as my road bikes have clipless pedals)

If you have a cycling top that isn't sprayed on tight you could put in a pair of over shorts in the back pocket for pub wear. 

Having tried and failed to find a pair of baggy mountain biking shorts that fit me and don't look ridiculous, I just wear a pair of stretchy Montane walking shorts over the top of a pair of padded shorts and any old comfortable T-shirt on top.

Edit:

The Louis Garneau Leeway shorts from Evans were actually really good - I returned a pair because the liner was crap, but I should have kept them as the outers were such a good fit and a really nice colour. Having realised the mistake, I tried to buy them again, but they'd run out of my size in the colour I wanted. Looks like they've got them back in stock (albeit not in that colour), so might try them again...

I haver a pair of Endura MTB shorts that have a removable padded liner. These, combined with a tee shirt, are what I wear on the road in summer. I convince myself that, had I a proper road bike instead of my hybrid ,and MAMIL gear, then I would be be at least several mph quicker...

I picket up a cheapy pair of Altura shorts/liner in GO outdoors which pretty much do the job.

If you get a well fitting sadle then you should find that sort if distance no bother without pads.

I regularly commute 30km each direction without pads and totally comfy 

Ah, thats another approach. 

I used to always ride in padded shorts as it was perceived wisdom that it was the right thing to do. But I also spent time and money getting the right saddle. Then one summer it was crazily hot and I couldn't contemplate puting on lycra, and I decided to just wear comfy shorts and hope I wasn't too uncomfortable after. It then turned out that I was actually comfier without them on anything up to around 50 - 60km. After that they do help to reduce chafing a little, but up to that I never use them. 

I second being okay for 20 miles without needing padding. Anything which isn't jeans ought to be okay I'd have thought over that distance, and maybe some of the padded underpants you can buy separately from cycle shops if you still need some padding? You might feel like you're wearing a nappy, but nobody will be able to tell you feel like you're wearing one.  

I’ve found that a cheap (mountain warehouse) shorts that are light weight over my cycle shorts work fine. 

On other hand looking like Mr and Mrs Wiggins nowadays is absolutely acceptable. You may get turned away from top restaurants, but otherwise nobody except yourself cares how you look. People go out in pajamas in today's Britain.

For bike packing or touring I normally carry short running leggings to change to while cycling shorts are drying  

Thanks everyone, looks like I will investigate saddles.

Start by checking out Charge Spoon and the slimmed-down version, Charge Knife. They are affordable and smart and seem to suit more people from day one than any other saddle. 

I commute about 30 miles a day on a mountain bike and I think having a massive backside helps.  I've never worn padded cycling shorts and I think I've just acclimatised and never really get saddle sort.

If I've been off the bike for any length of time then the first few weeks back on it feels a bit tender...but then it all just seems to toughen up "back there".

I suppose I've just got natural, in-built padding.

These are the ones I've been using - Montane Dyno shorts. On sale in Cotswolds:

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/montane-mens-dyno-stretch-shorts-A1C14010...

Cheap pair of thin dhb bib shorts or similar. Bib shorts are crucial to keeping the pad in place and comfortable over long distances and are a worthwhile investment as I am sure you will do the odd longer ride in the future.  You can stick a normal pair of shorts over the top easy enough if your nervous about your lunchbox.

Standard base layer for the top more than adequate, or if you want pockets round the back you can pick up baggy cut tops easy enough. I have some by Chinese made rubbish by Karrimior/Jack Wolfskin from Sports direct (boo hisss) for commuting in.

They are rather smart

They are not without their minor niggles*, but, overall, they are superb. I now have 2 pairs in different colours. I'd prefer if they were about an inch shorter, but that's just me.

So far, seem pretty hard wearing, too.

* - back pocket is a bit on the small side, belt loop spacing could be better and the belt has a tendency to slip slightly.

Edit - Cotswolds now have an extra 15% off sale prices, bringing them down to £38.35 - bargain!

I have a Charge Scoop on my MTB and it is excellent.