Photo above: Chad Williams / Creative Visual Design
Oxford to Bath Cycling Tour
Tour Details:
Duration: 8 nights / 7 days of cycling
Distance: 163.2 miles / 261.1 km (if longer route option chosen on the last day)
Grade: Moderate
This tour not only offers great cycling but also includes some of the most scenic Cotswold cities and villages in the southern Cotswolds.
Highlights of the tour include the chance to visit the historical and culturally acclaimed city of Oxford with a wealth of attractions, the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, the award winning Roman museum in Cirencester, an optional tour of King Charles' Highgrove Gardens*, and relaxing in the splendour of Bath, with its Roman baths and sweeping Regency crescents immortalised in the novels of Jane Austen.
Upgraded accommodation available on request.
Prices from:
£1,320 pp
Prices based on 2 people sharing an en-suite room.
Bike hire - please see Key Points for details
Availability in 2024
Please note that we are now not taking bookings for May 2024, due to lack of availability.
June and September 2024 -
Apart from May, these are the most popular months and availability is getting limited. If you wish to travel during June and September, we would recommend booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Availability for the rest of the year is still good; please enquire and we are always happy to check and advise you on the availability of your preferred start date.
Day to Day Itinerary
8 nights / 7 days of cycling
From £1,320 pp
DAY ONE
Arrive in Oxford
Extra nights can be booked on request. Optional guided walking tour of the city to include the ancient University colleges, discover the Harry Potter and J.R.R Tolkien connections or visit the world-famous Ashmolean museum.
DAY TWO
Cycle from Oxford to Woodstock
19.5 miles/31.3 km
If you are hiring bikes, they will be delivered to your hotel at 9am and will be adjusted to your specifications and you will be given a short training run through. You will also be supplied with suitable helmets and puncture kits.
Once you are fully kitted out, follow the canal out of Oxford before turning south to visit the fine Georgian town of Woodstock with its wonderful historical buildings and rich royal heritage. The route includes an optional visit to one of England's most important gardens: Rousham. In the afternoon, you may wish to visit Blenheim Palace, a monumental country house that was the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
DAY THREE
Cycle from Woodstock to Burford
24 miles/38.5 km
Leave Woodstock through Bladon and visit St Martin's Church, the final resting place of Sir Winston Churchill. On the way to Burford, cycle through picturesque villages such as Minster Lovell, best known for the ruins of its 15th century hall, and Swinbrook, associated with the celebrated and often scandalous figures of the Mitford sisters.
DAY FOUR
Cycle from Burford to Bibury
30.75 miles/49.4 km
Follow the River Windrush as it meanders through the Cotswolds landscape towards Sherborne and Northleach. Visit the pretty village of Chedworth before following the River Coln leading you into Bibury, one of the most iconic villages in the Cotswolds, and described as "the most beautiful village in England” by designer, poet, novelist, and activist William Morris. This route includes an optional visit to Chedworth Roman Villa and/or North Cerney Gardens.
DAY FIVE
Cycle from Bibury to Cirencester
21 miles/33.7 km
The route will take you to the Saxon town of Cricklade via Fairford, sitting on a lovely stretch of the River Coln. Continue the route as it turns towards Cirencester – known as the Capital of the Cotswolds – and follows a picturesque cycle trail around the lakes near the Thames Path National Trail.
DAY SIX
Cycle from Cirencester to Tetbury
17.5 miles/28.1 km
A lovely, shorter cycle route that allows for a visit to Arts and Crafts style Rodmarton Manor (Wednesdays and Saturday), or 16th-century Chavenage House (Thursdays and Sundays), or Highgrove Royal Gardens in the afternoon (this will require a taxi both ways from Tetbury after check-in and tickets need to be booked well in advance).
DAY SEVEN
Cycle from Tetbury to Castle Combe
20 miles/32.1 km
Cycle through the charming little village of Sherston, and don’t miss the chance to visit Westonbirt National Arboretum with its collection of 15,000 trees from all over the world, created by Victorian horticulturalist Robert Holford. Continue the route towards Castle Combe, one of the prettiest villages in England and featured regularly as a filming location with its picturesque honey-coloured cottages, 14th century Market Cross and the beautiful St Andrew’s Church.
DAY EIGHT
Cycle from Castle Combe to Bath
11.5 or 30 miles/18.5 km or 48.2 km
Enjoy an exciting cycle ride through villages like Biddeston and the quintessentially English village of Lacock, with the impressive 13th century Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum and gallery. Follow the route as it turns onto the cycle path by the canal at Semington and follows it all the way into Bath via Bradford-on-Avon. The shorter option is a direct route into Bath, if you wish to spend more time exploring this beautiful city and a designated World Heritage Site with stunning architecture and fabulous attractions. Highlights include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent and Circus, The Roman Baths and Pump Room, and the Jane Austen Museum.
DAY NINE
Depart after breakfast
If you have time, take a guided walking tour of Bath to see the highlights of this beautiful city (optional walk at extra cost).
Key Points
What’s included
- Cycling app with directions and to track your position as you ride.
- A helpful and comprehensive information pack, including notes on where to eat and what to visit.
- Hand-picked, high quality, accommodations with en-suite facilities.
- Breakfast each morning.
- Upgraded accommodation available on request.
- Door to door luggage services.
- Local knowledgeable support and assistance when you need it not just Monday - Friday, 9-5.
When to go
Any time of year but we suggest March to November. Departure on any day subject to accommodation availability.
Bike hire
Hybrid bike: £175 pp for the duration of the tour
Electric bike: £315 pp for the duration of the tour
+ One-off charge of £240 delivery and collection of bike(s) shared between however many of guests hiring bikes. (Up to 4 bikes.)
Repair kits, lock, pannier bags and helmets are included.
More about Cotswold Walks
We would love to hear from you if you have any questions or queries regarding our walks or if you would simply like to gather more information.
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