Bike Tour: Cotswolds by Bike - 8 days

Arrival into Cheltenham.

Accommodation: The Bradley your guesthouse dates back to 1840, due to the small amount of work done to the house over the 100 years, it remains one the most important complete historical regency houses in Cheltenham, and it boasts a wonderful collection of antiques.

You can choose from two cycling routes today.

Ride 1: Cycle via Elkstone, the Duntisbournes & Daglingworth with a distance of 32 km/19.8 miles or 25.7 km/16 miles.

This lovely ride is uphill at the beginning but from Elkstone goes through easier, undulating countryside. The ride down the Duntisbourne valley is a treat. The churches at Elkstone, Duntisbourne Rouse & Daglingworth are particularly worth visiting. There are two pub stops in the middle of the ride that you can choose from; you can either visit The Green Dragon at Cockleford or the Highwayman on the A417.

Ride 2: Takes you via Cowley, Sheepscombe, Painswick & Slad on a distance of 49 km/30.4 miles or 44 km/27.3 miles.

This is an interesting, varied and hilly ride with attractive countryside and scenery and some famous towns and villages. You visit Painswick, which is an elegant wool town and Slad, the home of Laurie Lee, the famous Cotswold author. Stroud the industrial centre of the valleys and Bisley, another beautiful wool town. Although there are several steep hills to ascent with your bike, the destinations are definitely worth the effort.

Ride 1: Takes you to cycle via South Cerney & Meysey Hampton on a distance of 35.7 km/22.2 miles or 28.15 km/17.5 miles.

This easy bike ride circles through the Cotswolds' South Cerney & the Water Park. It passes through several quiet villages & the flat south Cotswolds countryside. You will finish in Barnsley where we recommend to visit the church and Barnsley House Garden.

Ride 2: Cycle via Tetbury, Cherington, Ashton Keynes & Down Ampney on a distance of 53.2 km/33.1 miles.

This easy ride visits Tetbury, an attractive Wool town, then goes east to Ashton Keynes and the Cotswold Water Park. Enjoy the pleasure of cycling through several quiet villages south east of Cirencester before going north back into the Cotswolds to the beautiful stone village of Barnsley.

Ride 1: Opt for a short ride to Cirencester, distance = 23.65 km/14.7 miles.

This easy bike ride goes to Cirencester via Welsh Way & Whiteway, and takes you to return via Preston & Ampney. Along the way, there is lots to see and do and Cirencester, founded by the Romans in AD 49, is home to a twice weekly street market, magnificent 'wool church' and the excellent Corinium Museum on Roman history.

Ride 2: Cycle to Fairford via the Coln Valley & the Eastleaches with a distance of 50 km/30.6 or 41.85 km/26 miles. 

This beautiful ride goes down the Coln Valley, which has several typical, pretty, Cotswold villages. The Woollen Mill at Filkins is interesting and you can buy some real Cotswold souvenirs. Fairford is a good place for tea, note the stained glass windows which are a must-see.

Accommodation: the Catherine Wheel offers a warm welcome in its family-friendly 15th century Cotswold stone building with a lounge bar, restaurant and garden.

Ride 1: Cycle to Guiting Power via Chedworth Roman Villa, Northleach & Notgrove with a distance of 35.5 km/22.1 miles or 26 km/16.4 miles.

This is an enjoyable bike ride over undulating countryside. The Roman Villa is very interesting and Northleach is an attractive ’wool’ town with a lovely church.

Ride 2: Cycle to Guiting Power via the Windrush Valley, Burford, Bourton on the Water & the Slaughters, the distance is 53 km/33 miles or 43.45 km/27 miles.

This is an interesting, enjoyable and fairly easy cycling route. It goes through many picturesque Cotswold villages. We believe that Windrush and the Slaughters are particularly delightful. Burford is an attractive town and Bourton a lively tourist centre.

Accommodation: Two nights at the Guiting Guest House a tastefully restored 16th century 4 star Cotswold stone farmhouse in the centre of a small and isolated typical Cotswold village that has allowed time to pass it by.

Ride 1: A short ride to the Slaughters & Lower Swell with a distance of 23 km/14.3 miles.

This undulating bike ride goes through beautiful countryside and attractive quiet villages. Upper Slaughter is a lovely place to picnic and spend time by the ford on a fine day.

Ride 2: Cycle to Snowshill & Chipping Campden via Blockley & Sezincote - with extensions to Broadway & Hidcote Manor Gardens. Choose from distances of 42 km/26.3 miles, 45 km/27.9 miles or 56 km/35 miles.

The lovely bike ride goes across rolling countryside to Snowshill and Chipping Campden - two classic Cotswold towns. You can extend the cycling to visit Broadway and Hidcote Manor Gardens. The ride is quite hilly and even the minor roads round Chipping Campden can get very busy, especially at holiday weekends.

Accommodation: the Guiting Guest House, a tastefully restored 16th century 4 star Cotswold stone farmhouse in the centre of a small and isolated typical Cotswold village that has allowed time to pass it by.

Ride 1: Cycle in the Cotswolds via Winchcombe & Brockhampton on a distance of 28.6 km/17.8 miles or 27 km/13.5 miles.

This bike ride covers some beautiful Cotswolds countryside with good views from the hills. It is quite hilly, particularly down into and up from Winchcombe, and it gives you a good knowledge of the Cotswold scarp! Winchcombe is well worth visiting, and you can easily to spend several hours there.

Ride 2: Takes you to cycle to Cheltenham via Northleach, Chedworth Roman Villa, Withington & Seven Springs, distance = 41 km/25.5 miles.

This bike ride goes through beautiful countryside, some attractive villages, and to Northleach - an important ’wool’ town - with an interesting ’wool’ church. The Roman Villa is fascinating and makes for a great break from your cycling.

Accommodation: The Bradley, your guesthouse, dates back to 1840. Due to the small amount of work done to the house over the 100 years, it remains one the most important complete historical regency houses in Cheltenham and it boasts a wonderful collection of antiques.

Trip concludes in Cheltenham after breakfast.