We created this grand tour of England taking in many of its historic sights, to celebrate the 2012 Olympics. Like the games, the trip has been a resounding success. Starting and finishing in Oxford, it includes the World Heritage sites of Stonehenge, Bath and Blenheim Palace, the iconic River Thames, the well-loved towns of Stratford on Avon and Salisbury and the stunning hills and villages of the Cotswolds and Chilterns.
From the historic university city of Oxford see Chipping Campden, Bibury, and Tetbury as you ride through the Cotswold valleys. Stay overnight in Stratford on Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare and if you wish enjoy one of his plays at the theatre. Absorb the Roman influence in Cirencester, the film backdrop of Lacock and the engineering feat of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Take in the outstanding cathedral in Salisbury, the soaring downs of middle England, the Thames with its pretty waterside villages and the undersung Chiltern Hills with their beech woods. This trip is our longest and embraces everything that is England - prepare to be amazed!
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
-
from £3,050 per person
- Luxury
-
from £4,430 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Personal guided tour of Stonehenge. See what’s included as standard
Duration
13 nights
Start & Finish
Starts Saturdays and is circular from Oxford
Hotels
- Classic
-
Four hand picked small hotels, 5 inns and a tea room
- Luxury
-
3, 4 and 5 star hotels, three country pubs, two boutique hotels and a National Trust village inn
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
Not so gentle cycling. More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
12 days of cycling 30 - 38 miles (48 - 61 km) per day
Terrain
gently rolling
Traffic-free
25% very low traffic on the rest
Options
- Additional nights in Oxford
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
-
1. Day one
Oxford
Arrive in Oxford and check into your hotel located in the heart of the city. Enjoy the treasures of this beautiful city 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 an Oxfordshire village
Your host will meet you at your hotel, brief you and transfer you to our bike base. You leave Oxford on a traffic free route as you head towards the Cotswold village of Woodstock. Here is the world heritage site of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill and now home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough. Back in the saddle, you can then explore classic Cotswolds country - twisting lanes leading through pretty villages; tiny bridges crossing gurgling rivers; ancient woodlands and wonderful views. Your welcoming inn tonight overlooks a village green.
33 miles (53 km)
-
3. Day three
An Oxfordshire village to Stratford on Avon
Today's route leads you through a string of Cotswold stone hamlets and villages and to the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh where the Roman Fosse Way now defines the high street. There are plenty of cosy pubs for a lunch stop and the renowned gardens of Hidcote and Kiftsgate for inspiration. From here its a freewheel down the scarp slope of the Cotswolds and along an old railway track into Stratford on Avon. This famous old market town, needs little introduction as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and you can visit all the bard's houses in Stratford if you wish to pedal on. Your overnight stay is in the heart of the town with all its half timbered buildings.
32 miles (51 km)
-
4. Day four
Stratford on Avon to Chipping Campden
Enjoy the level ride this morning to the chocolate box village of Broadway perhaps allowing a detour to the medieval and cosy Fleece Inn. This afternoon is truly wonderful even though you encounter the main hill of the tour as you ride through sheep clad hills to the delightful village of Snowshill. Here you can visit the manor house and the stunning fields of lavender whilst looking forward to a refreshment stop near the Broadway Tower with breathtaking views over 12 counties on a clear day. The gem of the Cotswolds, the 14th Century honey coloured stone buildings of Chipping Campden is where you will stay the night.
30 miles (48 km)
-
5. Day five
Chipping Campden to Burford
You will experience the classic wolds and valleys of the Cotsowlds area today taking in a string of notable towns and villages. Visit Stow on the Wold, known for its antique shops now and as a woollen town formerly before discovering the idyllic hamlets of the Slaughters and joining the Windrush valley at Bourton on Water. This valley leads you through unspoilt villages to Burford, one of England's prettiest small medieval towns with beautiful Cotswold architecture and a high street to savour. Stay overnight here and explore the Windrush water meadows if you wish.
32 miles (51 km)
-
6. Day six
Burford to Ewen
Pedal through a timeless landscape today that is utterly charming. Rejoin the Windrush river and pause for a coffee in Northleach. Then explore the tiny Coln river; it bears a Roman villa at Chedworth and a series of tiny crossings before arriving in Bibury, famous for its weavers cottages. The Cotswold capital of Cirencester features next - important since Roman times and still a delight today. Your overnight stay is in the peaceful hamlet of Ewen a few miles further on where the inn dates back to the 16th Century.
36 miles (58 km)
-
7. Day seven
Ewen to Lacock
Still in the idyllic Cotswold landscape of quiet lanes, pretty farms and peaceful villages, there are some interesting places to stop by today. At Highgrove you can take a thirst quencher or coffee at Prince Charles's farm whilst in Tetbury there's plenty to explore in this lovely old wool market town. If trees are your thing you can make a short detour to the world renowned and spectacular National Arboretum at Westonbirt. There is also a wonderful pottery and close by a stunning private garden where we may be able to arrange a visit. The most remarkable find of the day maybe Lacock where you will spend the next two nights. Dating back to the 13th Century, this charming rural village with a medieval abbey remains untouched by modern development.
38 miles (61 km)
-
8. Day eight
Lacock to Bath and back
This is a great ride to the world heritage site of Bath known for its Georgian architecture and its Roman connections. Discover the Roman baths, a fine collection of museums, cobbled courtyards, historic tea rooms and the abbey. Leave Bath along a magnificent canal and take in yet another characterful town at Bradford on Avon. Here there is a short climb as you head back to Lacock. Truly a day to remember!
33 miles (53km)
-
9. Day nine
Lacock to a Wiltshire village
Today's cycling leads you away from the Cotswolds and takes in the dramatic flight of canal locks at Caen Hill. Wide vistas and a rural landscape follow before giving way to the cosy hamlets and villages of the picturesque Avon valley. This peaceful scene leads you to within ear shot of Stonehenge where you will stay for the next two nights.
38 miles (61 km)
-
10. Day ten
A Wiltshire village to Salisbury and back
This morning your personal guide will collect you from your accommodation and give you a tour of the world heritage sight at Stonehenge. A prehistoric monument without parallel, its site and surroundings pose a number of questions. Returning to the present day and to your hotel, you have a delightful ride south to the historic city of Salisbury with its fine cathedral and setting. Track the Avon as it threads its way through the town and discover ancient buildings before returning to your hotel for a second night. This truly is a day full of drama!
20 miles (32 km)
-
11. Day eleven
A Wiltshire village to Hungerford
Challenge yourself today with a ride up onto Salisbury Plain where there are grand landscapes and far reaching views - a unique scene for this one day's cycling. Hungerford where you will stay the night is an interesting market town that sits within the cosy Kennet valley which provides your route beyond the plain. Dotted with charming villages, the valley is criss crossed by the picturesque Kennet and Avon Canal.
28 miles (45 km)
-
12. Day twelve
Hungerford to a Chilterns village
Following the pretty canal as it flows towards the Thames River, weirs, locks, waterside cottages and meadows abound. This rural scene briefly gives way to the urban as the waterway flows through the heart of Reading and meets the bolder Thames just beyond. Here you have a ride beside the river before heading up into the beautiful Chiltern Hills. Characterised by beech woods, soaring slopes and red kites this is an idyllic area. Your overnight stay is in an old inn nestling in a typical Chiltern village.
34 miles (54 km)
-
13. Day thirteen
A Chilterns village to Oxford
The final day's ride into Oxford is a classic as you freewheel down through the Chilterns with soaring views. Traversing the Thames a number of times, there's time to enjoy several of its riverside towns - characterful Wallingford and ancient Abingdon, before pedalling past locks and boat houses to complete the ring to Oxford and your final night's stay in the heart of the city. What a grand tour of England!
29 miles (46 km)
-
14. Day fourteen
Depart Oxford
Return your bikes to our base and depart at leisure.
Luxury
-
1. Day one
Oxford
Arrive in Oxford and check into your hotel, The Randolph, located in the heart of the city. Enjoy the treasures of this beautiful city - on foot 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 an Oxfordshire village
Your host will meet you at your hotel, brief you and transfer you to our bike base. You leave Oxford on a traffic free route as you head towards the Cotswold village of Woodstock. Here is the world heritage site of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill and now home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough. Back in the saddle, you can then explore classic Cotswolds country - twisting lanes leading through pretty villages; tiny bridges crossing gurgling rivers; ancient woodlands and wonderful views. Your welcoming inn tonight, which overlooks a village green, is the Wild Rabbit
33 miles (53 km)
-
3. Day three
An Oxfordshire village to Stratford on Avon
Today's route leads you through a string of Cotswold stone hamlets and villages and to the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh where the Roman Fosse Way now defines the high street. There are plenty of cosy pubs for a lunch stop and the renowned gardens of Hidcote and Kiftsgate for inspiration. From here its a freewheel down the scarp slope of the Cotswolds and along an old railway track into Stratford on Avon. This famous old market town, needs little introduction as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and you can visit all the bard's houses in Stratford if you wish to pedal on. Your overnight stay is in the heart of the town at The Arden Hotel.
32 miles (51 km)
-
4. Day four
Stratford on Avon to Chipping Campden
Enjoy the level ride this morning to the chocolate box village of Broadway perhaps allowing a detour to the medieval and cosy Fleece Inn. This afternoon is truly wonderful even though you encounter the main hill of the tour as you ride through sheep clad hills to the delightful village of Snowshill. Here you can visit the manor house and the stunning fields of lavender whilst looking forward to a refreshment stop near the Broadway Tower with breathtaking views over 12 counties on a clear day. The gem of the Cotswolds, the 14th Century honey coloured stone buildings of Chipping Campden is where you will stay the night, at the Cotswold House Hotel.
30 miles (48 km)
-
5. Day five
Chipping Campden to Burford
You will experience the classic wolds and valleys of the Cotswolds area today taking in a string of notable towns and villages. Visit Stow on the Wold, known for its antique shops now and as a woollen town formerly before discovering the idyllic hamlets of the Slaughters and joining the Windrush valley at Bourton on Water. This valley leads you through unspoilt villages to Burford, one of England's prettiest small medieval towns with beautiful Cotswold architecture and a high street to savour. Stay overnight here at The Lamb Inn and explore the Windrush water meadows if you wish.
32 miles (51 km)
-
6. Day six
Burford to Cirencester
Pedal through a timeless landscape today that is utterly charming. Rejoin the Windrush river and pause for a coffee in Northleach. Then explore the tiny Coln river; it bears a Roman villa at Chedworth and a series of tiny crossings before arriving in Bibury, famous for its weavers cottages. The Cotswold capital of Cirencester features next - important since Roman times and still a delight today. Your overnight stay is in an elegant Boutique Hotel in the heart of this historic town.
36 miles (58 km)
-
7. Day seven
Cirencester to Lacock
Still in the idyllic Cotswold landscape of quiet lanes, pretty farms and peaceful villages, there are some interesting places to stop by today. At Highgrove you can take a thirst quencher or coffee at Prince Charles's farm whilst in Tetbury there's plenty to explore in this lovely old wool market town. If trees are your thing you can make a short detour to the world renowned and spectacular National Arboretum at Westonbirt. There is also a wonderful pottery and close by a stunning private garden where we may be able to arrange a visit. The most remarkable find of the day is maybe Lacock where you will spend the next two nights at the Sign of the Angel hotel. Dating back to the 13th Century, this charming rural village with a medieval abbey remains untouched by modern development.
-
8. Day eight
Lacock to Bath and back
This is a great ride to the world heritage site of Bath known for its Georgian architecture and its Roman connections. Discover the Roman baths, a fine collection of museums, cobbled courtyards, historic tea rooms and the abbey. Leave Bath along a magnificent canal and take in yet another characterful town at Bradford on Avon. Here there is a short climb as you head back to Lacock. Truly a day to remember!
33 miles (53km)
-
9. Day nine
Lacock to a Wiltshire village
Today's cycling leads you away from the Cotswolds and takes in the dramatic flight of canal locks at Caen Hill. Wide vistas and a rural landscape follow before giving way to the cosy hamlets and villages of the picturesque Avon valley. This peaceful scene leads you to within ear shot of Stonehenge where you will stay for the next two nights, at the Fairlawn House hotel.
38 miles (61 km)
-
10. Day ten
A Wiltshire village to Salisbury and back
This morning your personal guide will collect you from your accommodation and give you a tour of the world heritage sight at Stonehenge. A prehistoric monument without parallel, its site and surroundings pose a number of questions. Returning to the present day and to your hotel, you have a delightful ride south to the historic city of Salisbury with its fine cathedral and setting. Track the Avon as it threads its way through the town and discover ancient buildings before returning to your hotel for a second night. This truly is a day full of drama!
20 miles (32 km)
-
11. Day eleven
A Wiltshire village to Hungerford
Challenge yourself today with a ride up onto Salisbury Plain where there are grand landscapes and far reaching views - a unique scene for this one day's cycling. Hungerford, where you will stay the night at the Bear Hotel, is an interesting market town that sits within the cosy Kennet valley which provides your route beyond the plain. Dotted with charming villages, the valley is criss crossed by the picturesque Kennet and Avon Canal.
28 miles (45 km)
-
12. Day twelve
Hungerford to a Chilterns village
Following the pretty canal as it flows towards the Thames River, weirs, locks, waterside cottages and meadows abound. This rural scene briefly gives way to the urban as the waterway flows through the heart of Reading and meets the bolder Thames just beyond. Here you ride beside the river before heading up into the beautiful Chiltern Hills. Characterised by beech woods, soaring slopes and red kites this is an idyllic area. Your overnight stay is in an old inn named the White Hart, nestling in a typical Chiltern village.
34 miles (54 km)
-
13. Day thirteen
A Chilterns village to Oxford
The final day's ride into Oxford is a classic as you freewheel down through the Chilterns with soaring views.. Traversing the Thames a number of times, there's time to enjoy several of its riverside towns - characterful Wallingford and ancient Abingdon, before pedalling past locks and boat houses to complete the ring back to Oxford and your final night's stay in the heart of the city at The Randolph. What a grand tour of England!
29 miles (46 km)
-
14. Day fourteen
Depart Oxford
Return your bikes to our base and depart at leisure.