Cycling Cotswolds

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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.

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.