Overview
A week of cycling Cotswolds style along quiet country lanes, and gently undulating, pastorally perfect countryside. Indeed the word ‘wold’ means gentle hill in ancient English, so this gives you an idea of how leisurely and lovely this self-guided natural adventure is. Choose between two options each day depending on whether you want to take a longer or shorter route. Some days you might want to push yourself a bit further and, on others, you may want to just enjoy a long, delicious lunch in one of many pretty market towns such as Painswick or Barnsley. You can also rent an e-bike on this holiday, to make it even more e-xquisite.
- Chipping Campden
- Riding across rolling hills
- Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe
- Biking between village pubs and old coaching inns
- Enjoy scones & tea and beautiful stained glass in Fairford
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cheltenham
Arrive in Cheltenham on your own. With unique festival vibes, an abundance of independent and much-loved High Street shops, and incredible dining experiences from street food to Michelin-starred fine dining, Cheltenham truly is a must-visit town.
- Accommodation: The Abbey (Cheltenham) or similar
Day 2: Cheltenham to Frampton Mansell | 26-49km
You can choose from two cycling routes on each day of the tour:
Option 1: Cycle via Elkstone, the Duntisbournes & Daglingworth. 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 and 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.
Option 2: Takes you via Cowley, Sheepscombe, Painswick and Slad. This is an interesting, varied and hilly ride with attractive countryside 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 ascend with your bike, the destinations are definitely worth the effort.
- Cycling for the day – Option 1: 32km or 25.7km
- Cycling for the day – Option 2: 49km or 44km
- Accommodation: The Crown Hotel (Frampton Mansell) similar
Day 3: Frampton Mansell to Bibury | 28-53km
Option 1: Takes you to cycle via South Cerney & Meysey Hampton. This easy bike ride circles through the Cotswolds’ South Cerney & the Cotswold Water Park. It passes through several quiet villages & the flat south Cotswolds countryside. You will finish in Barnsley, where we recommend visiting the church and Barnsley House Garden.
Option 2: Cycle via Tetbury, Cherington, Ashton Keynes & Down Ampney. 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.
- Cycling for the day – Option 1: 35.7km or 28.15km
- Cycling for the day – Option 2: 53.2km
- Accommodation: The Catherine Wheel (Bibury) or similar
Day 4: Bibury circular rides | 23-50km
Option 1: Opt for a short ride to Cirencester. This easy bike ride goes to Cirencester via Welsh Way and Whiteway and takes you to return via Preston and 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, a magnificent ‘wool church’ and the excellent Corinium Museum on Roman history.
Option 2: Cycle to Fairford via the Coln Valley & the Eastleaches. This beautiful ride goes down the Coln Valley, which has several typical, pretty, Cotswold villages. The Woollen Mill at Filkins is fascinating, and you can buy some genuine Cotswold souvenirs. Fairford is a good place for tea especially to see their stunning stained glass windows.
- Cycling for the day – Option 1: 23.65km
- Cycling for the day – Option 2: 50km or 41.85km
- Accommodation: The Catherine Wheel (Bibury) or similar
Day 5: Bibury to Guiting Power | 26-53km
Option 1: Cycle to Guiting Power via Chedworth Roman Villa, Northleach & Notgrove. 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.
Option 2: Cycle to Guiting Power via the Windrush Valley, Burford, Bourton on the Water and the Slaughters. 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 is a lively tourist centre.
- Cycling for the day – Option 1: 35.5km or 26km
- Cycling for the day – Option 2: 53km or 43.45km
- Accommodation: Guiting Power Guest House (Guiting Power) or similar
Day 6: Guiting Power circular rides | 23-56km
Option 1: A short ride to the Slaughters and Lower Swell. 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.
Option 2: Cycle to Snowshill and Chipping Campden via Blockley and Sezincote – with extensions to Broadway and Hidcote Manor Gardens. The lovely bike ride goes across rolling countryside to Snowshill and Chipping Campden – two classic Cotswold towns. The ride is quite hilly, and even the minor roads around Chipping Campden can get very busy, especially at holiday weekends.
- Cycling for the day – Option 1: 23km
- Cycling for the day – Option 2: 42km, 45km or 56km
- Accommodation: Guiting Power Guest House (Guiting Power) or similar
Day 7: Guiting Power to Cheltenham | 27-41km
Option 1: Cycle in the Cotswolds via Winchcombe & Brockhampton. 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 experience of the Cotswold scarp! Winchcombe is well worth visiting, and you can easily spend several hours there.
Option 2: Takes you to Cheltenham via Northleach, Chedworth Roman Villa, Withington and Seven Springs. This bike ride goes through beautiful countryside, some attractive villages, and to Northleach – an important wool town. The Roman Villa is fascinating and makes for a great break from your cycling.
- Cycling for the day – Option 1: 28.6km or 27km
- Cycling for the day – Option 2: 41km
- Accommodation: The Abbey (Cheltenham) or similar
Day 8: Departure
Departure or extra nights upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodations on this tour include a mix of charming small hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses. They have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere, cuisine and/or unique services. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- The Abbey (Cheltenham)
- Guiting Power Guest House (Guiting Power)
- The Catherine Wheel (Bibury)
- The Crown Hotel (Frampton Mansell)




















*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can have dinner at the guesthouse you are staying at or at the village pubs and restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
Two options to choose from on each cycling day – from 26 to 53km per day. Undulating bike rides and some hilly climbs (read more about difficulty grades). We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available between mid-March and October.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. If you are a seasoned and well-equipped cyclist, we can eventually book you on off-season dates.
Getting there
Up-to-date travel advice on the United Kingdom is available here (for Canadian citizens) and here (for US citizens).
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Birmingham (BHX). Alternatives are London Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW).
By train or bus
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights in a twin or double room with an en-suite or private bathroom ( hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses)
- 7 breakfasts
- Detailed route descriptions and maps
- GPS tracks are available on request
- Luggage transfers when changing accommodations – one piece up to 20kg per person
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Bike rental
- E-bike rental
Bike rental
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