Guided Cotswolds Cycling Tour

At a Glance

Explore Quintessential Cotswold Villages, Castles and Gardens

Join us in the Cotswolds for this 6-day, 5-night guided cycling tour. Riding through chocolate box villages and historic market towns, follow us into a corner of England where rolling hills, sheep-filled fields and dry-stone walls are the order of the day.

The Cotswolds is perfect biking country, with trails to suit all abilities, e-bikes readily available or even shorter options for those who would like a gentler ride. With stunning views around every corner, excellent accommodation, wonderful pubs and beautiful cuisine, join us for a perfect Cotswold adventure.

  • Explore the parklands and staterooms of the renowned World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace
  • Marvel at the spectacular views from the highest point in the Cotswolds, Broadway Tower.
  • Enjoy cycling through picturesque Cotswolds villages, including Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford, Bampton and many more.
  • Discover the array of breathtaking ‘garden rooms’ at the world-famous Hidcote Gardens.

Your Itinerary

We meet you at 10.00am in Moreton-in-Marsh, where we fit you up with your bikes and head out for a stunning introductory ride through the Cotswolds. From there, we cycle toward the small market town of Chipping Campden, and onto the world-famous Hidcote Gardens for lunch in a majestic, American-inspired garden. After the ride, we settle down at the hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh for our first dinner together as a group.

22miles – 1190ft elevation

We wind our way through the majestic countryside of the Cotswolds, stopping for coffee at Broadway Tower, where we’ll enjoy views over 16 counties in both England and Wales. We also visit some of the most quintessential Cotswold villages, including the Slaughters and Kineton, before returning to Moreton-in-Marsh in the evening.

35 miles – 2200ft elevation

We cycle from the hotel to Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s birthplace and a World Heritage Site. The morning’s ride is around 20 miles, taking us through idyllic rolling countryside. 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. In the afternoon, we bike back toward Moreton-in-Marsh, with the option to stop on route in one of our favourite pubs, possibly even one of the best!

24 miles – 2400ft elevation. Same mileage in the afternoon. (Optional)

We bike from Moreton-in-Marsh to Daylesford for coffee – one of the most upmarket farmshops in the world. We’ll have lunch in Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’. We then carry on to our next hotel in Burford. One of the Cotswolds’ most picturesque towns, it’s renowned for its bustling high street and vibrant atmosphere.

25 miles – 1500ft elevation

We cycle from Burford toward Bibury, a village so pretty that Henry Ford wanted to transfer it in its entirety back to the USA! We lunch at a trout farm before heading to Bampton. A real treat for Downton Abbey fans, this village is where all of the show’s outdoor filming takes place. We then return to Burford for our final dinner together.

37 miles – 1200ft elevation

Our tour ends after breakfast, when we help with your onward travel arrangements. Most of our guests travel by train from Charlbury, a short transfer from the hotel. Wherever your journey takes you next, our guides will be on hand to provide all the help you need.

Gallery

Handpicked Accommodation

3* Option - Moreton-in-Marsh
Resedale Arms

3* Option - Moreton-in-Marsh

Resedale Arms
The award winning Redesdale Arms Hotel sits at the gateway to the Cotswolds, on the High Street of the historic town of Moreton-in-Marsh. Steeped in history and dating back to around 1650, constructed of mellow Cotswold stone with a heavily oak beamed interior.

4* Option - Moreton-in-Marsh
The Manor House Hotel, Burford

4* Option - Moreton-in-Marsh

The Manor House Hotel
The Manor House Hotel, Moreton in Marsh, is an enchanting 16th Century Cotswold retreat where you can both indulge and relax in a homely atmosphere.

3* Option - Burford
Prince of Burford

3* Option - Burford

Prince of Burford
The Prince Of Burford is a newly refurbished pub and hotel converted from an 18th-century coaching inn, located in beautiful Burford on the north-eastern edge of the Cotswolds.

4* Option - Burford
The Lamb Inn, Burford

4* Option - Burford

The Lamb Inn
Located along a peaceful side street in the historic market town of Burford, seize the opportunity to sink into a relaxing ambiance of pure bliss.

What our guides say...

Visiting the Slaughters is like stepping onto a film set for the most English film ever made!

Conor
  • All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
  • All breakfasts and x2 dinners (excluding dinner drinks)
  • Bikes / E-bikes available on request
  • GPS routes, provided via RideWithGPS (app available for Apple or Android)
  • All special events, iconic points of interests, expert guests and entrance fees
  • All transportation from rendezvous to farewell locations
  • All baggage transportation
  • All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
  • Services of a professional local guide

Handpicked accommodation in 3* hotels or you can upgrade to 4* for an additional cost.

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. Your holiday, however, will be tailored by your guide to suit your individual preferences. Daily distances range from 10-40 miles. Rewarding views are guaranteed!

  • Bikes
  • Helmets
  • Phone mounts
  • Bike accessories
  • Guests are free to bring their own pedals / saddles, which we will fit to the bikes

Pick-up location: Moreton-in-Marsh railway station. Our cycling 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 Moreton-in-Marsh, a direct 1.5-hour train journey out of London, so that you can begin your holiday stress-free.

End-of-tour location: Charlbury railway station.

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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