This tour wanders through the classic hills and valleys of Cotswold country with its picturesque honey coloured villages and peaceful streams.
The graceful contours of Cotswolds lanes and bridleways provide the route for much of this undemanding itinerary whilst the tranquil Oxford Canal leads to Blenheim Palace. Stop and explore Cotswold market towns enroute, thatched inns, and marvellous vistas. Discover the history of Oxford and relax and soak up the atmosphere of Cotswolds country.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
-
from £1,335 per person
- Luxury
-
from £2,250 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
Duration
5 nights
Start & Finish
Starts Mondays from Oxford finishes Morton-in-Marsh. Both are on mainline stations to London
Hotels
- Classic
-
Centrally located hand picked hotels and a village inn
- Luxury
-
A historic 5 star Oxford hotel, 4 star boutique hotel and an outstanding village inn
Holiday type
Self-guided so you are free to explore at your own pace. More info...
Activity level
Gentle cycling (3) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
3 days of cycling with one further day of optional cycling. 10 - 23 miles (16 - 37 km) per day
Terrain
Mostly flat, some slopes
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. Touring bikes and accessories. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guidebook or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
Read About Our Trips for further details
Traffic-free
About half, very low traffic on the rest
Options
- Additional nights in Oxford and Chipping Campden
- Fly fishing on Day Four
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic & Luxury
-
1. Day one
Oxford
Arrive in Oxford on Monday and check into your accommodation located close to the heart of the city. Enjoy the treasures of this beautiful city today and stroll through the lovely colleges of the University with their magnificent architecture and gardens. Take in the museums, galleries and libraries galore, and perhaps a concert or play. Discover the little tea rooms and fine restaurants, the unique shops and back streets and the river backwaters dotted with punters and rowing eights.
-
2. Day two
Oxford to Woodstock
Your host will meet you at your hotel, brief you and fit you to your bikes. Now your cycling journey begins along the Oxford Canal which lies very close to your hotel. This delightful and rural waterside ride leads out of Oxford, past houseboats and locks and through pretty villages. Not far from the canal, sits the Cotswold stone village of Woodstock and the grandiose Blenheim Palace set in 2000 acres of Capability Brown landscape. Built in the 18th Century, it was the birthplace of Winston Churchill and the 12th Duke of Marlborough lives there. Your accommodation is in this lovely village.
12 miles (19 km)
-
3. Day three
Woodstock to Kingham or Bledington
Today's ride explores classic Cotswolds country. There are twisting lanes leading through pretty villages; tiny bridges crossing gurgling rivers; ancient woodlands, hidden tracks nestling in the valleys and wonderful views. Cosy pubs are dotted along the route and there’s time to linger in the old stone and thatched villages. Your accommodation for the next two nights is in one of these villages.
23 miles ( 37 km)
-
4. Day four
Kingham or Bledington circular rides
Time for relaxing or exploring well known Cotswold towns and tiny hamlets today – all within a handful of miles of your overnight stay. There is a very attractive ride to Stow on the Wold, and onto Bourton on the Water, and the Slaughters if you want to see more. We can also point you in the direction of lesser known but equally appealing gems such as farm shops and National Trust houses. There is fine walking along the Cotswold Way which runs through the village or excellent fly fishing which we can organise for you not far away.
Optional miles
-
5. Day five
Kingham or Bledington to Moreton-in-Marsh
Start the day with a short train hop or a gentle pedal to the Cotswold market town of Moreton-in-Marsh where the high street once formed part of the Roman Fosse Way. Linger in the shops and cafes before cycling gently on through peaceful country lanes and hamlets to the 14th Century honey coloured stone buildings of Chipping Campden. Spend the afternoon exploring this ‘must see’ village before returning to Moreton for your last night of the tour.
15 miles (24 km) or 25 miles (40 km)
-
6. Day six
Depart Moreton-in-Marsh
Depart at leisure.