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COTSWOLDS - The Cotswolds are situated in the heart of Central England, less than two hour's drive west of London. Popular with both the English themselves and visitors from all over the world, the Cotswolds are well known for gentle hillsides ('wolds'), sleepy villages and for being so 'typically English'. This tour gives a wonderfully varied ride to the ‘wool’ town of Northleach passing by a roman villa. A circular route then takes you to the enchanting village of Bibury. The coaching town of Burford is your next stop, before returning to Northleach via the Windrush Valley. Stopovers are in Chipping Camden, Winchcombe, Northleach or Bourton on The Water. We provide quality b&b lodging and the riding offers options for varied levels.
Enjoy B&B lodging while discovering this historic region.
Duration : 7 days & 6 nights
Dates 2012 : On request from April - October
Level : Intermediate; Level 2
Bike Rental Info Included
"The countryside is beautiful, such nice people awaiting us at each stop...and along the way. Good exercise, great food. I wanted you to know it was a big success for us. Thank you very much!"
- Susan F.
Click on a day to see that days itinerary.
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7
Day 1 | Arrival Day is very flexible depending on time of arrival as we have 7 different routes from here which can include a visit to the National Trust's "Hidcote Manor Garden" situated close by. Chipping Campden is medieval wool town and described in many Tourist Guides as "the most beautiful village street in all England". Chipping Campden is ideal to spend a pleasurable evening with its varied restaurants, pubs and hotels. As you are 11 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon you can consider theatre tickets and transport to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre - please enquire upon booking. Mileage variable, depends on time of arrival. Dinner on your own.
Chipping Campden, England
Set in the heart of the historical village of Little Walsingham, The Old Bakehouse offers three spac...
Day 2 | Loop trip; Rides: 20-30 miles.
Cycle from Chipping Campden, through delightful Broad Campden with its many
thatched cottages and well tended gardens and onto Blockley. Blockley with
its steep streets has remained an unspoilt village and it once owned six
silk mills in the early 19th century. Carry on towards Upper and Lower
Slaughter, passing through small villages and then return to Chipping
Campden.
Return to Chipping Campden. Night in B&B. (B)
Chipping Campden, England
Set in the heart of the historical village of Little Walsingham, The Old Bakehouse offers three spac...
Day 3 | Ride to Winchcombe; Rides: 14-26 miles.
Leaving Chipping Campden following the escarpment passing Broadway Tower Country Park and arriving in Snowshill. Snowshill is a very pretty village and it also has National Trust Snowshill Manor to explore with its collection of bygones. Arrive in the small unspoilt medieval town of Winchcombe where you stay for your next two nights. Winchcombe is home to Sudeley Castle dating from 1441 complete with Elizabethan Garden - well worth a visit! (B)
Winchcombe
The White Hart is a 16th Century inn in the heart of Winchcombe, a small historic town set in the Co...
Day 4 | Loop ride back to Winchcombe; Rides: 20-30 miles
From Winchcombe discover Stanway village with its Jacobean Manor House and neighboring village of Stanton tucked at the bottom of the hill and then travel into Worcestershire to Elmley Castle with its "black and white" cottages. Cycle around Bredon Hill (all the way or part - the choice is yours). Pass by Beckford Silk Mill and watch silk printing - (a very good tea room as well!) and on to Overbury (a village still owned by the Holland-Martin family and where the telephone boxes are painted green). A leisurely easy paced ride back to Winchcombe. (B)
Winchcombe
The White Hart is a 16th Century inn in the heart of Winchcombe, a small historic town set in the Co...
Day 5 | Ride to Northleach; Rides: 18-23 miles
Leaving Winchcombe you cycle past Belas Knap a Stone Age burial mound or long barrow dating from 2500 BC. Cycling along the ridge of the Cotswolds and into the beautiful Coln Valley passing Chedworth Roman Villa with its well preserved mosaic flooring and bath suites. Your final destination is Northleach a Middle Ages "Wool Town", where you will spend two nights. (B)
Bourton-on-the-Water Gloucestershire
Chester House lies in the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water, the little "Venice of the Cotswolds" with ...
Day 6 | Loop ride back to Northleach; Ride 30 miles
A circular excursion from Northleach will take you to Bibury where the river Coln runs through the main street with Arlington Row cottages to one side, stand on the bridge and watch the trout swim past! Further on to the lovely old town of Burford on the edge of Oxfordshire. Burford has an impressive main street lined with a series of fine old houses. Leaving Oxfordshire behind travel along the Windrush valley with its collection of pretty villages and back into Northleach. (B)
Bourton-on-the-Water Gloucestershire
Chester House lies in the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water, the little "Venice of the Cotswolds" with ...
Day 7 | Short Ride and Departure
Depending on your chosen time of departure you may, if you wish, cycle
back to Moreton-in-Marsh where you will be met with your luggage or we will collect you and your
luggage and return you to the railway station at Moreton-in-Marsh for your
onward journey. Optional 15 miles.
(B)
All lodging in superior category inns and guest houses of high quality 3 star equivalent standing; all breakfasts in traditional English style, arrival transfer from the Moreton in Marsh train station to Chipping Camden, return transfer at the end of the tour to Moreton in Marsh, luggage transfers from lodging to lodging, local support by telephone and on the route if needed, arrival orientation and bike set up, high quality hybrid Dawes bike with necessary tools and day panniers, route book with all cycling routes, maps, and suggestions for visiting and dining. We also provide Pre & Post tour travel services such as help with trains, Paris hotels, rental cars and other services.
For arrival, trains are 1 hour 40 mins from London Paddington, or a little longer if you are travelling from London Heathrow or Gatwick. Ask us for help, or see Britrail's website. Your included transfer is from Moreton in Marsh, the station to reach from Paddington.
Accommodation: 6 nights in charming B&B guesthouses - always private ensuite facilities; each one is noted in the above daily itinerary, but is subject to change. B&B's have few rooms and we will occassionally book alternatives of equal standing. Double occupancy is 1 large queen bed or 2 separate single beds.
Upgrades are sometimes available, please inquire.
Options
Help with Shakespeare Theatre bookings - paid locallyHybrid Bike Rentals are available and included in the tour price. There are only hybrid bikes available for rent on this tour. See the bike tab for more details.
Private transfer to Stratford Upon Avon and Shakespeare Theatre: 50 GBP each way, paid directly to a taxi.
Bike rentals are available on all tours in the Cotswolds. We only offer hybrid bikes currently.
Bike: [Click for image and more details ] Hybrids, - 24 speed 'Dawes' English Touring/Hybrid bike complete with day pannier, toolkit and helmet with additional mileage options, mostly flat to rolling terrain; comes with full mechanical backup (except flats).
Note: additional ride distances and routes are not available .
Other Notes: Child rates are available, equipment limited.