Scenic cycling through breathtaking rural England
Nestled cosily in a patchwork of green meadows, winding valleys and ancient forests lie the idyllic villages of the Cotswolds. These little communities are so picture-perfect that they are often used by film companies. It’s quaint English beauty features in movies such as Bridget Jones’ Diary and Pride and Prejudice, as well as TV series’ like Downton Abbey.
FASCINATING FACTS
- The Cotswolds cover an area of 790 square miles and over 80% of this is farmland.
- It is famous for its stone cottages. This limestone is a deep honey-colour in the north of the region and gets lighter as you travel south.
- The Cotswolds touches six counties – Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset and Wiltshire.
- The word “Cotswolds” was first recorded in 1306 in the Oxford English Dictionary, it comes from the word ‘wold’ meaning bare hill.
PEACEFUL RURAL VILLAGES AND BUSTLING MARKET TOWNS
When touring with Active England through these villages you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’ve travelled back in time. The thatched cottages, cobbled streets and village greens have a charm of a bygone age. Here are a few of the Cotswold highlights you’ll get to experience on our biking tours.
BURFORD
There is so much to see and do it this town brimming with heritage. Its wide, sloping main street is lined with bespoke shops selling local produce – and there are curious back streets beckoning to be explored. Burford is also known as ‘the gateway to the Cotswolds’, and its historical sights include the ancient parish church and the hospital, which dates back to the 13th century.