Stratford to Bath Cycling Tour

Be ye warmly welcomed to the town of Shakespeare! The birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular tourist destination offering many things to see and do. Your tour begins here, so settle in your wonderful guesthouse and get a good night’s rest.

Explore Stratford-upon-Avon and its surrounding countryside today, with time to visit all the most popular sights in this historic area. This route keeps you mostly on quiet lanes, passing Mary Arden’s house, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Snitterfield, and Aston Cantlow. You can find great places to stop for lunch in a traditional pub at village inns in Snitterfield, Wilmcote, Aston Cantlow, or Bearly Cross. Spend the night in the same guesthouse in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Leave Stratford-upon-Avon and travel a delightful blend of bicycle paths and country lanes. Along the way you’ll pass the impressive, 16th Century Elizabethan manor house (now a hotel) called The Greenway, and the village of Mickleton, also called the Gateway to the Cotswolds. Other points of interest include the gardens at Kiftsgate and Hicote, and Chipping Campden, an old market town and the starting point of the Cotswold Way national trail. Soon you’ll come to the town of Moreton-in-Marsh, which is your stop for the night. Your luggage will be waiting for you there.

Today’s journey takes you to Bourton-on-the-Water. Along the way, you’ll pass the River Evenlode and ride through several delightful villages, including Upper Slaughter and Stow-on-the-Wold. Pause from time to time to enjoy the lovely views and traditional village atmosphere. Bourton-on-the-Water is a unique place, and a wide range of attractions and points of interest offers something for every visitor, no matter your preferences. Check in to your cozy guesthouse where your luggage has already been transferred.

Cycle today from Bourton-on-the-Water to Cirencester by way of Northleach and Bibury. Northleach is an old market town dating back to the 13th Century with a beautiful 15th Century church. Bibury is a scenic and often photographed village on the banks of the River Coln. You will easily understand why the artist William Morris declared it to be the most beautiful village in all of England. Explore at your own pace then make your way to Cirencester to stay the night.

Leave Cirencester and cycle along quiet roads and through small villages in the surrounding area. You’ll come to the incredible Cotswold Water Park, where you may choose to stop and explore the lakeside beach with a cafe, the water sports center, and much more. Then continue your ride through Tetbury, where you’ll find fabulous boutiques and shops. The next landmark you’ll pass will be the Westonbirt National Arboretum before arriving at today’s destination in Malmesbury.

Though this last day of the tour begins briefly on the main road, you’ll soon be back on quieter roads through Foxley and Norton. Next, you’ll come to the stunningly beautiful village of Castle Combe, where you’ll want to pause to appreciate the lovely and often photographed riverfront view from the bridge. It may be hard to imagine, but this village is also well-known for racing. Continue cycling to reach the lovely and historic city of Bath, where this incredible tour comes to an end.

Sadly, your Stratford to Bath cycling tour has reached its end. Trains are easily available from Bath Spa to London, or a bus can take you to Bristol Airport. Safe travels!