England’s Cotswolds Bike Tour
The Cotswolds are a lovely place to take a trip. The history, scenery, pubs and restaurants make for a nice vacation.
When you imagine “picture-postcard” English countryside, it’s likely an image of the Cotswolds – England’s largest “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” – that comes to mind. Now picture yourself there – riding a bicycle! – on bucolic country roads with polite English drivers and beautiful views around every corner. It’s hard to believe that this enchanting, richly rural, region is so close to the “big city” hustle and bustle of London. Beautiful villages and towns of honey-colored stone dot the landscape of “wolds” (hills) and “cots” (stone-fenced sheep pens). In addition to iconic locations such as Oxford, Shakespeare’s Stratford upon Avon, and Bath, you’ll discover outstanding gardens, medieval churches and castles, country homes, lovely hotels, and some of the best (as well as oldest) pubs in the world. Truly, this is the “real England” in all its glory!
PEDAL HAPPY: Most of the riding on this tour is on typical English countryside roads which are well-paved but relatively narrow, as well as some ‘bridleway’ / canal routes limited to cyclists and pedestrians. About 12% of the roads are hard-packed but unpaved and there may be some short sections of cobblestones.
RENTAL BIKES: Models will be different for the bike-types shown at the bottom of the web page: Road (drop bar); Road E-bike (drop bar); and E-bike hybrid (flat bar) . Call or request our Guest Information Packet for specifics.
COMBINING TOURS: We schedule our United Kingdom tour dates to make longer adventures possible. You can combine our England tour with Ireland or Scotland for the ultimate U.K. cycling experience!
Itinerary
Day 01
Meet in Oxford. Head northwest through the eastern Cotswolds on your way to the delightful market town of Moreton-in-Marsh.
Meals
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Redesdale Arms
Mileage
36 miles
Elevation
+2,014 ft / -1,778 ft
Arrive at Oxford Station at 11am to meet your guides. After introductions and a briefing for the day, we’ll get set up on our bikes for the ride. Along the route, we will pass near Winston Churchill’s Blenheim Palace and head into the easternmost Cotswolds. Tonight, we’ll be dining at our hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh, the Redesdale Arms,
Day 02
Ride a loop past some of the best-known locations in the northern Cotswolds - Chipping Campden and Broadway Tower - and enjoy a tour at Sudeley Castle.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Redesdale Arms
Distance
41 miles
Elevation
+3,225 ft / -3,225 ft
Pedal a loop from our hotel across the northwestern undulating landscape. The ride out today is a hilly one, however, the bigger the climb the bigger the views! During this loop, we’ll visit some of the best-known locations in the northern Cotswolds, including Chipping Campden and Broadway Tower and enjoy a tour at Sudeley Castle.
Day 03
Cycle on quiet, twisting country lanes, and ... "thence" to Stratford for some Shakespeare!
Meals
– Breakfast
Lodging
Redesdale Arms
Distance
44 miles
Elevation
+1,702 ft / -1,702 ft
Following quiet, twisting country lanes, the flatter terrain today takes us toward Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare. Have lunch on your own and explore this medieval market town before returning to Moreton-in-Marsh via an abandoned railway. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Day 04
Pedal to the "Venice of the Cotswolds" and visit Chedworth Roman Villa on the way to Tetbury.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
The Hare and Hounds
Distance
49 miles
Elevation
+3,386 ft / -3,380 ft
Today we head south through the nearby “honeypot” villages of Lower Slaughter (meaning “muddy place”) and Bourton-on-the-Water renowned locally as the “Venice of the Cotswolds.” Traverse the rolling landscape of the North/South divide and visit the Chedworth Roman Villa (included) as we head down the spine of the Cotswolds toward Tetbury. Spend tonight amongst acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands at The Hare and Hounds.
Day 05
Visit the oldest borough in England and Castle Combe - voted the prettiest! - on your way to historic Bath.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Lodging
The Queensberry Hotel
Distance
30 miles
Elevation
+1,209 ft / -1,444 ft
Our final “point-to-point” ride will take us into the center of Bath where we will spend the last two nights of the tour. Along the way, we will visit Malmesbury – England’s oldest borough according to the Guinness Book of World Records – and Castle Combe (voted the prettiest village in England) before descending into Bath. Stay tonight and tomorrow at the centrally located The Queensberry Hotel, a combination of Georgian-traditional style with “cheeky twists of contemporary comfort.” Dinner is on your own tonight.
Day 06
Cycle along canal paths and venture into history at the Roman Baths museum. Raise a toast to a great week at our celebratory dinner!
Meals
– Breakfast
– Dinner
Lodging
The Queensberry Hotel
Distance
14 miles (or double it for out and back ride)
Elevation
+978 ft / -978 ft (or double it for out and back ride)
Today we finish the cycling on the tour with a nice ride along the canal paths east of Bath. It’s not a long day in the saddle, so you will have plenty of time to reflect on your favorite roads and villages on the tour as well as explore this wonderful city and visit the Roman Baths (included). Lunch is on your own. In the evening, raise a toast to a fantastic week of cycling in the Cotswolds at our final night’s celebration dinner. If you want to keep the party going, Bath’s vibrant and varied nightlife won’t let you down either!
Day 07
"Parting is such sweet sorrow." -Shakespeare. Enjoy breakfast in Bath before your departure.
Meals
– Breakfast
“Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow.” -William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.
A fitting quote for the circumstances, we think. Our Cotswolds adventure finishes after breakfast on the morning of Day 7. If you are leaving Bath today, we will transfer you to the Bath Spa train station at 10:30am where you can catch a train to London, or one of the London airports (generally less than 2 hours away). We wish you a safe trip home or onward to your next adventure!
