Cotswold Pub Biking Tour
At a Glance
- 5 days, 4 nights
- 3* Hotels
- Guided
- Pickup: Kingham
- Carbon: xxkg CO2e
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Ride some of the best lanes in the Cotswolds by day, relax in a classic English pub by night
A twist on our regular tours. Our Pub Classics are designed for those who love the atmosphere of the great British pub and want to stay in one place throughout their trip.
This 5-day, 4-night guided biking tour makes the most of the wonderful biking in the Cotswolds but gives you plenty of time to eat, drink and stay in some brilliant English pubs. Throughout this Cotswold biking tour, you’ll stay at the Lamb Inn, Shipton Under Wychwood, one of the best pubs in the Cotswolds.
During the day you’ll ride to some of the most well-loved places in the Cotswolds, but come the evening, the pubs take centre stage. Enjoy local pints, knatter with the locals at the bar and sample simple, yet delicious fare.
- Sample fabulous local food and drink
- Ride quiet hedgerow-lined lanes
- Visit the iconic Blenheim Palace
- Visit iconic Cotswold towns and villages
Your Itinerary
Following a transfer from Kingham railway station to your accommodation, The Lamb Inn in Shipton Under Wychwood, we’ll get our legs turning with a short 20-mile loop in the local areas. Setting out from Shipton, we take in the delightful villages at Churchill and Kingham before stopping for coffee at Daylesford – the best farm shop in the area. Our return leg takes us through lands made famous in the hit Amazon Prime series, Clarkson’s Farm. We return to The Lamb Inn for our first dinner together.
Up to 20 miles
Feeling refreshed after a wonderful pub breakfast, our aim for the day is Blenheim Palace, the World Heritage Site. We ride through idyllic rolling countryside and typical Cotswold villages like Charlbury. At Blenheim, we eat lunch overlooking the Capability Brown parklands, and take some time to explore the historic Palace and the 2,000-acre estate. Tonight’s dinner is at another wonderful local pub. Thirst and hunger quenched we return to The Lamb Inn to rest our heads (and legs).
Up to 30 miles
On today’s menu we ride to a trio of iconic Cotswold locations. The towns of Stow on the Wold and Bourton on the Water are must-sees for any Cotswold visitor. Once we’ve pedalled the quiet residential streets and market squares, our ride continues to the quieter but no less picturesque villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter. For tonight’s dinner, we visit another highly-rated, traditional British pub.
Up to 35 miles
After another hearty breakfast, today’s bike ride takes in Bibury, Burford and Bampton. At Bibury we take in bucolic countryside scenery and classic Cotswold architecture as we ride., After a delightful lunch at a trout farm, we’ll head over to Bampton, a must-visit location for fans of the popular television series, Downton Abbey. Finally, we’ll make our way back to Burford for our last dinner together.
Up to 30 miles
Following one last breakfast together we’ll offer you a transfer to Kingham Railway Station for onward travel.
Gallery
Handpicked Accommodation
The Lamb Inn
An historic Cotswold pub, reimagined for the 21st-century. With its traditional cosy bar, large garden and restaurant area, The Lamb is a fantastic hub for any active trip. Straightforward, simple pub grub is paired with local beers, spirit selection and curated wine list.
What our guides say...
Amazing biking followed by the best English pub experiences in the Cotswolds – what could be better?
What’s Included
- All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
- All breakfasts
- Mechanical support for major breakdowns
- We expect all guests to be able to undertake basic maintenence, including changing a tyre
- GPS routes, provided via RideWithGPS (app available for Apple or Android)
- All baggage transportation
- All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
Difficulty Level
This tour is rated moderate, meaning it’s appropriate for guests who enjoy a good ride and can handle an incline or two. We cover varied terrain, enjoying some rolling hills and a few steeper climbs which are slightly more demanding. Daily distances range from 25-40 miles. Rewarding views are guaranteed!
Equipment Provided
- Bikes (road / hybrid / e-bike (with supplement)
- Helmets
- Phone mounts
- Bike accessories
- Guests are free to bring their own pedals / saddles, which we will fit to the bikes
Pre & Post Tour Travel
For pre and post tour options, please see our London packages.
Pick-up location: Kingham railway station. Our walking holidays are designed to be completely relaxing, with the start of our tours sitting within easy reach of London, Bristol or the Midlands. This tour begins from Kingham railway station, a direct 1.5-hour train journey out of London, so that you can begin your holiday stress-free.
End-of-tour location: Kingham railway station.
FAQ's
What is the best way to get out of London into the Countryside?
The best way out of London and into the Cotswolds is by train, out of Paddington, and directly into Oxford station, Moreton-in-Marsh or Bath. All of our cycling trips begin from these locations so you can arrive relaxed, refreshed and ready to start your tour. If you prefer to drive there is station parking available.
Can I do a cycling tour as a solo traveller?
All our trips are open for single travellers to join. You will have a great time on our cycling tours whether travelling on your own, as a couple, family or group, meeting like-minded people on our guided trips, or choosing your own adventure on our self-guided tours. “As a single female, I would not hesitate to go on another Active England trip as a solo traveller”. S.G.
Are the roads safe to cycle on in England and the Cotswolds?
Our cycling routes are carefully chosen to ensure we bike on the quietest country lanes, with the best views of the Cotswolds! Drivers in the Cotswolds are very polite and guests have always felt safe and secure when riding our routes, check out our Trip Advisor Reviews from guests who have cycled with us: “I was concerned about riding in traffic, but for the most part there were not that many cars. The people are very watchful and careful, they wait and allow cyclist to go ahead. The Cotswolds and very beautiful, rural and unspoiled. I loved the small towns and the beautiful countryside. I would absolutely do it again with Active England. Loved it all.” E.C.
How hilly are the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds are a range of hills, with its name stemming from ‘Cote’ meaning sheep enclosure and ‘wold’ meaning hills. There are therefore lots of hills and incredible views from the top! However, you will able to miss out some of the steeper inclines – or add in some trickier climbs for those looking to stretch their legs. There are routes for everyone and with our routes we can tailor your tour to your preferences. We also have e-bikes available on request to make your holiday care-free!
Do you have E-Bikes available?
Absolutely! Our e-bikes allow our guests to go the distance without the slog, to enjoy the countryside at their own pace and to provide assistance that will get you up any hill. They are as good on rural country roads as on canal tow-paths and rail to trail tracks. Safe and easy to use, these e-bikes are perfect for all abilities.
What to pack for a cycling holiday?
We provide bikes, helmets, cycle bags and all the cycling essentials you will need. All you need to bring are clothes suitable for cycling in, and your enthusiasm! You can of course use your own saddle and pedals if you prefer. We will transfer your luggage to each hotel, so you don’t need to worry about carrying everything you want for evenings out of the saddle!
Which cycling holiday should I choose?
In the Cotswolds we offer a range of guided or self-guided tours to suit everyone!
Make this trip private
Our private tours offer complete freedom to customize your trip. Base your tour on one of our scheduled departures, or tailor a bespoke experience to match your every expectation. We love combining our knowledge of England with our expertise in planning and delivering the best adventure trips.
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Carbon Footprint
What’s the Number?
Nearly everything has a carbon footprint. Together with ecollective, we’ve measured the carbon impact of not only every tour we operate but our entire business. We’ve taken into account greenhouse gas emissions across the business including office, travel, website, vehicles, accommodation, activities, food, suppliers…
What does the number mean?
We’re going to improve this by measuring and reducing our footprint each year. That means working with our suppliers to make changes that have a more positive impact on us and the planet. What does this look like in reality?
- Redesign trips to reduce our carbon impact
- Working closely with all our suppliers across England to join us on our decarbonisation journey
- Switching up our vehicle fleet to electric
- Investing in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere for any emissions that remain.
We’ve got a long way to go but we’re on our way to net-zero
We’re committed to reducing our impact on the planet and working towards a sustainable future. We’ve taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year.
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