Night 1-6
Hotel/BB in Cheltenham
Stay in cozy local hotels and BB’s in small towns of Cotswolds along your cycling route.
Self-guided Cycling in Cotswolds
Prices
Highlights
Ride through the Cotswolds from town to town on a self-guided tour
This holiday is intended to appeal to those who want a gentle introduction to cycling in the English countryside, as the Cotswold’s are hilly rather than mountainous. A week of marvelous rides will take you through one of the most beautiful and historic parts of England. Honey coloured stone villages, open wolds, wooded valleys, and Roman roads are the background to pretty villages, “wool” churches, famous gardens, a Roman villa, and welcoming inns.
Your tour starts in elegant Cheltenham with its Regency buildings, beautiful gardens, and fashionable centre. Then a delightful ride takes you over the top of the Wolds and through Duntisbournes, crossing the River Dunt’s pretty fords. The route passes exquisite village churches with Saxon and Norman features.
This is followed by an easy ride to Tetbury, an important medieval wool market town. You can stand inside the old market house and walk down the ancient Chipping Steps - the course for the Woolsack Races. The ride then continues through the Cotswold Water Park. From Barnsley you ride along the River Coln to Bibury - described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England - and its famous row of weavers' cottages. Then down the scenic Windrush Valley, past Windrush village’s Norman church to Burford, an elegant town with its steep main street leading down to the river.
Your ride also takes you to the Eastleach villages with their fine churches and historic footbridge, and to the Barringtons. After a visit to Chedworth Roman Villa, one of the best exposed Romano-British villas in Britain, the ride takes you through Northleach, another attractive wool town with a magnificent church, to the Slaughters, surely the most delightful villages in England. On the final day you will visit the historic 15th century Snowshill Manor, take lunch at Broadway and enjoy the wonderful views from Broadway Tower. In the afternoon you can visit Sudley Castle once home to three of Henry VIII's wives, Katherine Parr, Ann Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey. Finally, free wheel down Cleeve Hill back to Cheltenham.
Self-guided Cycling in Cotswolds Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Cheltenham
Arrival into Cheltenham to spend the night and prepare for your biking adventure.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel/BB in Cheltenham
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- None
Day 2 Cheltenham to Frampton Mansall
Today you will have two trail options to choose from.
Ride 1: via Elkstone, the Duntisbournes & Daglingworth. Distance = 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 not many pub stops in the middle of the ride; you will need to visit The Green Dragon at Cockleford or the Highwayman on the A417. There
are no other shops in Cheltenham.
Ride 2: via Cowley, Sheepscombe, Painswick & Slad. Distance = 49 km/30.4 miles or 44 km/27.3 miles. This is an interesting, varied but hilly ride with attractive countryside and scenery and some famous towns and villages. You visit Painswick an elegant wool town, 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 the destinations are worth the effort.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel/BB in Frampton Mansall
- Distance
- 32km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 Frampton Mansall to Bilbury
Again, two nice trails to choose from for your day.
Ride 1: via South Cerney & Meysey Hampton. Distance = 35.7 km/22.2 miles or 28.15 km/17.5 miles This easy ride circles through South Cerney & the Water Park. It passes through several quiet villages & the flat south Cotswolds countryside. It finishes in Barnsley where the church & Barnsley House Garden are worth visiting.
Ride 2: via Tetbury, Cherington, Ashton Keynes & Down Ampney. Distance = 53.2 km/33.1 miles. This easy ride visits Tetbury an attractive Wool town, then goes east to Ashton Keynes & the Cotswold Water Park. It goes through several quiet villages southeast of Cirencester before going north back into the Cotwolds to the beautiful stone village of Barnsley. Accommodation: For two nights, the Catherine Wheel offers a warm welcome in its family-friendly 15th century Cotswold stone building with a lounge bar, restaurant and garden.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel/BB in Bilbury
- Distance
- 35km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4 Bilbury Circular Rides
There are two options to choose from for your biking route.
Ride 1: a short ride to Cirencester Distance = 23.65 km/14.7 miles. This easy ride goes to Cirencester via Welsh Way & Whiteway & returns via Preston & Ampney.
Ride 2: Fairford via the Coln Valley & the Eastleaches. Distance = 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, & you can buy some real Cotswold souvenirs. Fairford is a good place for tea, & the stained-glass windows are a must.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel/BB in Bilbury
- Distance
- 24/42/50km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 Bilbury to Guiting Power
There are two options to choose from for your biking route.
Ride 1: via Chedworth Roman Villa, Northleach & Notgrove. Distance = 35.5 km/22.1 milies or 26 km/16.4 miles. This is an enjoyable ride over undulating countryside. The Roman Villa is very interesting, and Northleach is an attractive ’wool’ town with a lovely church.
Ride 2: via the Windrush Valley, Burford, Bourton on the Water & the Slaughters. Distance = 53 km/33 miles or 43.45 km/27 miles. This is an interesting, enjoyable and fairly easy ride. It goes through many picturesque Cotswold villages - Windrush and the Slaughters are particularly delightful. Burford is an attractive town & Bourton a busy tourist centre.
Note: you can extend your trip by spending an additional night it Guiting Power, where you will have a chance to choose one of two loop trails to explore the surrounding towns, such as Upper Slaughter, Snowshill, and Chipping Campden.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel/BB in Guiting Power
- Distance
- 44km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6 Guiting Power to Cheltenham
There are two options to choose from for your biking route.
Ride 1: via Winchcombe & Brockhampton. Distance = 28.6 km/17.8 miles or 27 km/13.5 miles This ride covers some beautiful countryside, with good views from the hills. It is quite hilly, particularly down into & up from Winchcombe, but it gives you a good knowledge of the Cotswold scarp! Winchcombe is well worth visiting, & it is easy to spend several hours there.
Ride 2: via Northleach, Chedworth Roman Villa, Withington & Seven Springs. Distance = 41 km/25.5 miles. This 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. Accommodation: The Bradley your guesthouse dates 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.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel/BB in Cheltenham
- Distance
- 51km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 7 Departure
The trip ends after breakfast when you depart the accommodation.
- Overnight Location
- None
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Self-guided Cycling in Cotswolds Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour in Cotswolds is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price per person depends on the type of the room that you choose.
The price below is per person:
- Price per person staying in a single room: $1,675USD per person
- Price per person sharing a double room: $950USD per person
Accommodation on Self-guided Cycling in Cotswolds
There is a variety of accommodation along the route ranging from bed and breakfasts, lodges, pubs and small hotels. They are run by cycling-friendly hosts offering en-suite or private facility rooms with a tasty breakfast to get you ready for the day ahead. Further facilities such as washing and drying facilities, packed lunches and packed lunches are available in some accommodations, you will be advised on your listing of what is available.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
What’s Included in the Self-guided Cycling in Cotswolds Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers for your luggage; however, you are in charge of any personal transfers needed.
Also Included
- Detailed documents, guides, route maps, and GPX tracks
- Emergency telephone support hotline for the duration of the tour
- Pre-planned route
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
- Tourist hotel tax, payable each night at hotel
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities for drivers, servers, or other staff if desired
- Bike rental
Optional Extras
- Bike rental
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional 1-day extension
Frequenty Asked Questions about Self-guided Cycling in Cotswolds
How hard is the Self-guided Cycling in Cotswolds Tour?
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. The cycling is mainly along quiet country roads.
I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Do I need a visa to travel to England?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Self-guided Cycling in Cotswolds Tour?
6 breakfasts are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
How do I get to Cheltenham to start this tour?
The closest airports are Birmingham, London Heathrow, from where you can get public transport (planning your route ahead is strongly recommended).
Where does the Self-guided Cycling in Cotswolds Tour end?
The tour ends where it starts, in Cheltenham.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a road bike suitable for the demands of the tour. If you are bringing your own bike, make sure to include it in any public transport tickets you reserve.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to England?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for England?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Reviews
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Tour Difficulty
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. The cycling is mainly along quiet country roads.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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