Self-guided cycling
8 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
12.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
From the city of Oxford, home to the oldest university in England, cycle between the villages of the southern Cotswolds on your way to Bath, with its Roman baths and stunning Georgian architecture. Beautiful scenery, charming villages and some outstanding Estates will be seen along the way through England's largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
This 8 night cycling holiday starts in the city of Oxford before heading off along the Oxford Canal towards the Georgian town of Woodstock. You route takes you through some of the best of the Cotswold villages including Minster Lovell with its Cotswold stone and thatched cottages on the River Windrush, the medieval town of Burford and Bibury, 'The most beautiful village in England' according to William Morris. Stay in Castle Combe, used as the film set location for War Horse where you can admire the pretty high street which is lined with former weavers' cottages.
Discover some of England's Roman history with a visit to Chedworth Roman Villa with its spectacular mosaics, Cirencester, the second largest town in Britain during Roman times and head to the Roman baths in Bath.
Overnight accommodation is in a range of warm, welcoming and friendly B&Bs and Inns, many of which are in historic buildings.
Cycling is mainly on quiet country roads, alongside canals and on dedicated cycle paths. Bikes need to be carried up footbridges and taken over railway lines on a couple of occassions.
Arrive in Oxford. Visit some of the treasures of the city from the Bodleian Library to the Ashmolean.
You stay at Oxford Coach and Horses.
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Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Tea/coffee
Just a 10-minute walk from Oxford City centre, the Oxford Coach & Horses is built on the site of an old coaching inn dating from the 18th Century, said to be the last in Oxford before the road to London. Rooms are modern and comfortable.
Follow the canal out of Oxford with pubs and tea shops available for a pit-stop. Leave the canal and visit Rousham Gardens, designed by William Kent in the 18th Century which remains much as he left it. Continue on to Woodstock and time permitting visit Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You stay at Kings Arms.
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Originally known as the Corner House in the 1500s, it was later known as The Compasses before changing its name to The King’s Arms in 1795. The beautiful boutique bedrooms are named after various kings in tribute to the pub’s history.
After a visit to Blenheim Palace head to the village of Bladon where Sir Winston Churchill is buried. Follow country lanes through farmland and visit picturesque villages like Minster Lovell and Swinbrook on the way to Burford, known for its its three-arched medieval bridge.
You stay at The Highway Inn.
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The Highway Inn, located in the heart of the bustling town of Burford dates from 1480. The old timber and stone building has many original features and the characterful rooms are all of different shapes and styles, and are named after local villages and hamlets surrounding Burford.
Follow the River Windrush towards Sherborne with a chance to visit the National Trusts' Sherborne Park Estate before continuing to Northleach where you can find half-timbered buildings and merchants' houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. There are two short detours off the main route to visit Chedworth Roman Villa and North Cerney Gardens before turning towards Bibury and follow the River Coln into this beautiful village.
You stay at Cotteswold House.
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Cotteswold House offers well appointed bed & breakfast and self-catering accommodation. Furnished to a high standard of quality and comfort, you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Set in Bibury, described as the most beautiful village in England, Cotteswold House is an ideal location for touring the Cotswolds.
The route goes to Cricklade via Fairford, known for its fine 'wool' church and once an important coaching town, and then turns toward Cirencester and follows a cycle route through the lakes, near the Thames Path. Cirencester, the 'capital of the Cotswolds' has many attractions including the Corinium Museum, dedicated to the city's Roman history and the Abbey grounds, site of St Mary's Abbey.
You stay at The Old Brewhouse.
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The Old Brewhouse in Cirencester is a delightful 17th Century town house bed and breakfast full of charm and character, sympathetically restored and refurbished offering high quality bed and breakfast accommodation.
Today the route is shorter allowing time for visiting one (or more) of three spectacular Estates. Rodmarton Manor (open Wednesdays and Saturdays) is a unique 20th Century Arts and Crafts Manor with an 8 acre Cotswold garden; Chavenage House (open Thursdays and Sundays) is an Elizabethan house of mellow grey Cotswold stone and was used in the Poldark series as 'Trenwith', the Poldark family home. After arriving in Tetbury it is also possible to go by taxi (pay locally) to Highgrove Royal Gardens, the private residence of HRH The Prince of Wales. (Early booking essential).
You stay at The Royal Oak.
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The Royal Oak Tetbury is a charming and friendly public house dating from the late 18th century and restored back to the community in 2013 following extensive restoration. Rooms are modern, comfortable and well equipped.
A short cycle ride takes you to Westonbirt Arboretum, the National Arboretum has one of the most beautiful and important plant collections in the world. Continue through the village of Sherston and on to the picturesque village of Castle Combe.
You stay at Castle Inn.
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The Castle Inn is a 12th century inn located in the heart of Castle Combe which has been lovingly restored to offer you a classic Cotswolds pub and B&B. It has had an extensive and considerate restoration to preserve, yet enhance, the charm of this beautiful historic building.
Today there is a choice of a longer or shorter route - the shorter option is a direct route into Bath allowing more time exploring the city. The longer route is an exciting ride through the villages of Biddeston and Lacock. The route turns onto the cycle path by the canal at Semington and follows it all the way into Bath via Bradford-on-Avon.
You stay at Apple Tree Guesthouse.
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Apple Tree Guesthouse is a Victorian property in the centre of Bath. All rooms are individually themed with an elegant blend of English and Asian artwork where East meets West, fresh cotton bedlinen and modern facilities.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used
Depart after breakfast
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Self-guided cycling
8 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
12.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
