The River Thames threads its way serenely through sleepy rural villages, pretty landscapes and through the heart of bustling historic towns such as Oxford and Windsor. Royalty beckons with palaces at Kew, Richmond, Hampton Court and Windsor whilst the history of England is recorded in the fabric of the waterside defining the Thames as 'liquid history'. Enjoy the water meadows, old inns, wildlife and weirs that lead you on through your adventures.
With wonderful luxury hotels or cosy inns this trip is one of our favourites. The tranquil river path provides the route for much of this trip - we love it because it is flat and traffic free and the itinerary is relaxed. What a great way to discover the sights and smells of quintessential England!
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
-
from £2,585 per person
- Luxury
-
from £3,690 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Train hop on day 4. See what’s included as standard
Duration
8 nights
Start & Finish
starts Sundays in Oxford and ends in Hampton Court.
Hotels
- Classic
-
Centrally located, hand picked hotels and inns
- Luxury
-
Characterful and historic 4 and 5 star hotels
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle cycling (2) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
5 days of cycling with two further days of optional cycling 10 - 24 miles (16 - 38 km) per day
Terrain
Mostly flat with a mix of bike paths, gravel tracks and the occassional road and grass tracks
Traffic-free
Almost completely.
Options
- Additional nights in Windsor and Oxford
- Explore further from Oxford by taking one of our trips into the Cotswolds
- Easy transport links enabling a non-cycling partner to enjoy the holiday
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
-
1. Day one
Arrive Oxford
Arrive in Oxford and check into your hotel located in the heart of the city where you stay 2 nights. Take your time to soak up the treasures of the 'city of dreaming spires'. Stroll through the historic colleges of the University with their pretty gardens. Your Host will meet you tonight or tomorrow morning to run through the itinerary and fit you to your bike.
-
2. Day two
Enjoy Oxford
Enjoy the treasures of Oxford today - by bike if you wish. Discover magnificent architecture, famous inns, river backwaters dotted with punters and rowing eights, writers’ inspiration and the many charms of hidden Oxford.
Optional 12 miles (19 km)
-
3. Day three
Oxford to Streatley
Crisscross the Thames today and take in pretty riverside villages and forgotten rural scenes. These dreamy waters of the Upper Thames are where many a famous tale has been dreamt. The shorter ride – available only in July and August, includes a boat hop at the start of the day to Abingdon with its ancient abbey. Otherwise, leave the city with a pedal along the Thames and find your hotel in the tranquil riverside village of Streatley
22 or 28 miles (35 or 45 km)
-
4. Day four
Streatley to Henley
Today's ride follows the river through some of its most magical settings. Pedal across weirs, spot the llamas, smell ancient beech woods and discover the prettiest village on the Thames. There’s a 5 minute train hop at the start of the day with your finish in the elegant town of Henley, famous for its rowing regatta. Stroll along the waterfront and enjoy tea on one of a number of river islands before finding your hotel in the heart of the town.
19 miles (30 km)
-
5. Day five
Henley to Marlow
The shorter ride today allows time to explore - visit The River and Rowing Museum in Henley before heading off along the regatta course. Today there are some slopes through the Chiltern Hills and beech woods with fantastic views and wonderful scenery. Then drop down into the historic small town of Marlow further downstream on the banks of the river.
10 miles (18 km)
-
6. Day six
Marlow to Windsor
There is a pretty route to cycle today that leads away from the river through old villages and hamlets, across village greens and along hidden bridleways whilst crossing the river a few times. Take a peek at Eton village and cross the Thames to reach Windsor and its castle. Stay overnight close to the castle and enjoy discovering royal history. There is a wondrous circular ride from here into Windsor Great Park if you want more cycling which can be enjoyed today or tomorrow..
19 or 36 miles (30 or 57 km)
-
7. Day seven
Windsor to Hampton Wick
Ride to Hampton Court today along the classic riverscape of the Thames. There are houseboats and villas, famous islands and willow lined meadows, pretty lock cottages, attractive steeples and ancient waterside inns. Enjoy the tranquility and rural scene before making tracks to Hampton Court where you stay adjacent to the vast park of Hampton Court Palace for the next 2 nights. Here is 500 years of royal history from Henry VIII to Queen Victoria, from state apartments to Tudor kitchens, and Renaissance paintings to a maze.
23 (37 km)
-
8. Day eight
Hampton Wick circular ride
Your traffic free ride today is glorious along the river and takes in Richmond with its Old Palace and Park, chic shops and waterside cafes and the fine historic houses along the waterfront. The longer ride includes Kew Palace and the Internationally famed Kew Gardens. You may be able to enjoy a boat ride too with bikes aboard to help you along your way. Wow what a finale to the tour!
13, 16 or 21 miles (21,25 or 34 km)
-
9. Day nine
Depart Hampton Court
Depart at your leisure,
Luxury
-
1. Day one
Arrive Oxford
Arrive in Oxford and check into your hotel located in the heart of the city where you stay 2 nights. Take your time to soak up the treasures of the 'city of dreaming spires'. Stroll through the historic colleges of the University with their pretty gardens. Your Host will meet you tonight or tomorrow morning to run through the itinerary and fit you to your bike.
-
2. Day two
Enjoy Oxford
Enjoy the treasures of Oxford today - by bike if you wish. Discover magnificent architecture, famous inns, river backwaters dotted with punters and rowing eights, writers’ inspiration and the many charms of hidden Oxford.
Optional 12 miles (19 km)
-
3. Day three
Oxford to Streatley
Crisscross the Thames today and take in pretty riverside villages and forgotten rural scenes. These dreamy waters of the Upper Thames are where many a famous tale has been dreamt. The shorter ride – available only in July and August, includes a boat hop at the start of the day to Abingdon with its ancient abbey. Otherwise, leave the city with a pedal along the Thames and find your hotel in the tranquil riverside village of Streatley
22 or 28 miles (35 or 45 km)
-
4. Day four
Streatley to Henley
Today's ride follows the river through some of its most magical settings. Pedal across weirs, spot the llamas, smell ancient beech woods and discover the prettiest village on the Thames. There’s a 5 minute train hop at the start of the day with your finish in the elegant town of Henley, famous for its rowing regatta. Stroll along the waterfront and enjoy tea on one of a number of river islands before finding your hotel in the heart of the town.
19 miles (30 km)
-
5. Day five
Henley to Marlow
The shorter ride today allows time to explore - visit The River and Rowing Museum in Henley before heading off along the regatta course. Today there are some slopes through the Chiltern Hills and beech woods with fantastic views and wonderful scenery. Then drop down into the historic small town of Marlow further downstream on the banks of the river.
10 miles (18 km)
-
6. Day six
Marlow to Windsor
There is a pretty route to cycle today that leads away from the river through old villages and hamlets, across village greens and along hidden bridleways whilst crossing the river a few times. Take a peek at Eton village and cross the Thames to reach Windsor and its castle. Stay overnight close to the castle and enjoy discovering royal history. There is a wondrous circular ride from here into Windsor Great Park if you want more cycling which can be enjoyed today or tomorrow..
19 or 36 miles (30 or 57 km)
-
7. Day seven
Windsor to Hampton Court
Ride to Hampton Court today along the classic riverscape of the Thames. There are houseboats and villas, famous islands and willow lined meadows, pretty lock cottages, attractive steeples and ancient waterside inns. Enjoy the tranquility and rural scene before making tracks to Hampton Court where you stay for the next 2 nights with your hotel facing Hampton Court Palace. Here is 500 years of royal history from Henry VIII to Queen Victoria, from state apartments to Tudor kitchens, and Renaissance paintings to a maze.
18 miles (29 km)
-
8. Day eight
Hampton Court circular ride
Your traffic free ride today is glorious along the river and takes in Richmond with its Old Palace and Park, chic shops and waterside cafes and the fine historic houses along the waterfront. The longer ride includes Kew Palace and the Internationally famed Kew Gardens. You may be able to enjoy a boat ride too with bikes aboard to help you along your way. Wow what a start to the tour!
19 or 23 miles (30 or 37 km)
-
9. Day nine
Depart Hampton Court
Depart at your leisure,