England Experiences

Bike the Cotswolds and More

Itinerary

BIKE THE COTSWOLDS AND MORE….
Cotswolds ~ Windsor ~ Oxford ~ Stratford
6 day / 5 night Self Guided Bike Tour

INTRODUCTION

Our new Bike The Cotswolds and More Bike tour takes you through the beautiful English countryside and explores a host of iconic places.

From London to Windsor, Oxford, Churchill’s Blenheim Palace, Shakespeare’s Stratford and the Cotswolds. See the REAL England in all its glory.

DETAILED ITINERARY:  6 Day /5 Night Journey

Day 1: Meet and Greet

Meet and Greet in Oxford, which is about 1 hour outside of London (trains go directly from London Paddington to Oxford Station). We will fit you with your bikes, give you maps, GPS and written instructions and give you a safety briefing.

Ride out of Oxford and stop for lunch in Woodstock, home of Winston Churchill and then head into the Cotswolds. The day ends at the beautiful market town of Moreton in Marsh.

Daily Mileage: 33 miles (shorter options available)

Day 2: Stratford-Upon-Avon

With beautiful ride through the North Cotswolds, through Chipping Campden, and the amazing American inspired Hidcote Gardens you will arrive in Stratford-Upon-Avon in the early afternoon.

In Stratford, you’ll get a chance to learn about the life of the great playwright William Shakespeare. Stratford-upon-Avon stands where a Roman road forded the River Avon (Upper Avon), and a 19th-century bridge still spans the river alongside a 15th-century arched stone bridge. Shakespeare was born in 1564 in a half-timbered house on Henley Street. He attended the local grammar school adjoining the medieval Chapel of the Guild of the Holy Cross. In 1597 Shakespeare returned from London to the house known as New Place, where he died in 1616. His grave is in the parish church of Holy Trinity. Daily Mileage: 20-40 miles

Day 3: Bike the Cotswolds

A day dedicated to the Cotswolds, a renowned rural area of south central England covering parts of 6 counties, notably Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. It’s rolling hills and grassland harbour thatched medieval villages, churches and stately homes built of distinctive local yellow limestone. The 102-mile Cotswold Way walking trail follows the Cotswold Edge escarpment from Bath in the south to Chipping Campden in the north.

You bike to the stunning Broadway Tower at the northernmost extreme of the Cotswolds, see the stunning lavender fields at Snowshill and after lunch visit the Slaughters, the Swells and some of the best known and iconic treats the Cotswolds has to offer. Overnight in Moreton in Marsh where you have the opportunity for a half day out the saddle to explore the village. Daily Mileage: 20-30 miles

Day 4: Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace, the World heritage site, is arguably England’s greatest Palace. The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim has an illustrious history, stunning architecture and beautiful gardens, landscaped by Capability Brown. Your route travels through the stunning Cotswolds right into the Palace and its magnificent grounds.

Routes from 20 miles through to over 40 miles as desired. Overnight is at the stunning Lamb in Burford. Daily Mileage: 20-45 miles

Day 5: The Cotswolds and into Oxford

Through the flatter part of the Cotswolds, and via Bampton, where all the outdoor shots from the well known TV programme, Downton Abbey are shot. You will arrive in Oxford for a full tour of the most famous University City in the World, including Harry Potter and Inspector Morse locations, the magnificent Christchurch College and great atmosphere and pubs! Return to the Lamb in Burford in the evening. Daily Mileage: various routes up to 30 miles

Day 6 – The Cotswolds

Today you bike out of the Cotswolds towards White Horse Hill, the Neolithic Ridgeway and the Longbarrow at Wayland Smith. This is a great opportunity to see the Uffington White Horse, the oldest of the English hill figures. It’s a 3,000-year-old pictogram the size of a football field and visible from 20 miles away.

Encompassing Neolithic history, this is a bike ride that will leave the 21st century behind for a few hours as you uncover the fascinating history of this ancient landscape.

Your tour will end after the trip to White Horse Hill. We will help guests with all ongoing travel arrangements, back into London or to other locations. Daily Mileage: Various routes up to 28 miles 

Accommodation

Guests stay in the best 4* hotels in the Cotswolds region, with unbeatable settings, wonderful accommodation and wonderful food – just see Trip Advisor for The Manor House Hotel.

Further options are available for those who want to stay in a country cottage location or in a selection of hand-picked bed and breakfasts or pubs.

Support and Equipment

Our self-guided tours are designed to be as flexible as possible, with daily options on the length of ride you would like.

The roads are generally very quiet and our drivers really respectful.

All guests will be given a full safety briefing, GPS / Garmin, written instructions and a detailed map and guests choose which method of route planning they require. Panniers are also available.

Should there be a major equipment issue we are on hand (normally within the hour) to get you back on the road as soon as possible.

With a fleet of bikes from Giant and flat bar, drop bar, road, hybrid and e-bike options all bike types are catered for. Helmets as standard, just bring your shoes and pedals if you have them and away you go.

All luggage is transferred between hotels.

CONTACT US TO BOOK:  tours@cyclewest.com or tel + 353 91 877323 for more information.

What’s Included?

What’s not included?

Dates and Pricing

Helpful Notes