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. There are a number of steep (10-15%) grades as well as a handful of 15-18% grades on which you may prefer to get off your bike and walk. None of them is a sustained climb.
COMBINING TOURS: We schedule our United Kingdom tour dates to make longer adventures possible. You can combine our England tour with Wales, Ireland or Scotland for the ultimate U.K. cycling experience!
Itinerary
Day 01
From 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
Distance / Elevation
29.8 miles · +1,891 ft / -1,680 ft
Arrive at Oxford Station at 11am to meet your guides. After introductions and a brief orientation, we’ll get fitted on our bikes and take a short spin around Oxford to make sure everything feels just right. From there, we’ll ride northeast toward the picturesque Evenlode Valley, passing near Winston Churchill’s magnificent Blenheim Palace before entering the eastern edge of the Cotswolds. Tonight, we’ll be dining at our hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh, the Redesdale Arms, where we spend three nights.
Day 02
Ride a loop past some of the best-known locations in the northern Cotswolds - Chipping Campden and Broadway Tower. Tour Sudeley Castle.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Redesdale Arms
Distance / Elevation
41.3 miles · +3,225 ft / -3,225 ft
Today’s adventure takes us on a loop ride from our hotel through the rolling hills of the northwestern Cotswolds. The route is hilly, but every climb rewards us with sweeping views of the countryside. Our journey includes stops at some of the region’s most memorable landmarks, including the picturesque market town of Chipping Campden, the historic Broadway Tower, and an exclusive private tour (included) uncovering the stories of Sudeley Castle.
Day 03
Cycle on quiet, twisting country lanes, and ... "thence" to Stratford for some Shakespeare!
Meals
– Breakfast
Lodging
Redesdale Arms
Distance / Elevation
44.1 miles · +1,702 ft / -1,702 ft
Today’s ride follows peaceful, winding country lanes across flatter terrain as we make our way toward Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. We’ll visit the author’s childhood home, then take time to have lunch on your own whilst exploring this medieval market town, rich in history and culture. In the afternoon, we’ll set off along a converted railway path before looping back through the Cotswolds and returning to Moreton-in-Marsh. 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 / Elevation
49.2 miles · +3,386 ft / -3,380 ft
Set out southward today, passing through some of the Cotswolds’ most beloved villages, including Lower Slaughter and Bourton-on-the-Water often described as ‘Venice of the Cotswolds.’ From there, we continue into the heart of the region, pausing to wander the remarkable remains of Chedworth Roman Villa, once one of the grandest Roman homes in Britain, before traversing the rolling landscapes that mark the North–South divide. Our journey then carries us down the spine of the Cotswolds toward Tetbury, where we’ll settle in at our hotel for a two-night stay amongst acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands at The Hare and Hounds.
Day 05
Get a taste of life on the farm and admire charming villages on the way to iconic Arlington Row in Bibery.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Lodging
The Hare and Hounds
Distance / Elevation
46.5 miles · +2,298 ft / -2,337 ft
Today’s ride starts from the hotel, following narrow rolling lanes around Cirencester through farmland and the charming villages the Cotswolds is known for. We’ll stop for a memorable picnic lunch before visiting an organic farm to meet first-generation farmers and learn about life and business here. The ride finishes in the picture-perfect village of Bibury, home to Arlington Row, honey-colored stone cottages built in 1380, later weavers’ homes, now National Trust icons featured inside current UK passports. Explore town before we shuttle back to Tetbury for another night at The Hare and Hounds. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Day 06
Bound for Bath today, we pass through the ancient borough of Malmesbury and stop to admire the beautiful village of Castle Combe on the way.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
The Queensberry Hotel
Distance / Elevation
36 miles · +1,523 ft / -1,758 ft
Our final “point-to-point” ride of the tour takes us from Tetbury to the historic heart and timeless streets of Bath. 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). Relax on your last night of the tour at the centrally located The Queensberry Hotel, a combination of Georgian-traditional style with “cheeky twists of contemporary comfort.”
Day 07
"Parting is such sweet sorrow." -Shakespeare. Sleep in today or enjoy an early morning ride around Bath before your departure.
Meals
– Breakfast
Distance / Elevation
13.5 miles · +978 ft / -978 ft
“Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow.” -William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.
A fitting quote for a departure day, we feel. You can sleep-in today… or join us early in the morning for one last ride along the scenic canal paths east of Bath before checkout. Afterward, we will say our goodbyes and transfer you to Bath Train Station where you can catch the train to London Paddington. From there, it’s an easy journey into central London or onward to Heathrow Airport or you can simply stay in Bath a little longer, exploring this historical city. We wish you a safe trip home or onward to your next adventure!
