Cycling holidays in Oxford

Oxford is a fantastic corner of England to explore by bike, and we offer a number of cycling holidays that start, finish or freewheel through the city. These run southwards, along the Thames all the way to London if you want and also northwards, into the glorious Cotswolds. Oxford itself is one of the most bike-friendly places in Britain, so anyone who chooses to travel around on two wheels tends to feel more like a local and less like a tourist in this city. There’s a huge amount to discover and absorb in this world famous “city of dreaming spires” - history by the bucket load, fascinating museums, beautiful old college buildings, amazing gardens, an extraordinary tradition of cultural, artistic and academic pursuit… and let’s not forget the breathtaking countryside that surrounds the city.

Unlike other tour operators, we personally research all our routes and put a lot of care into designing our itineraries so that our customers have the opportunity to discover the hidden gems and lesser-known local favourites, as well as the headline attractions. We also provide all our customers with a special Carter Company Adventure Handbook, packed full with interesting nuggets of information and insider tips on the best things to see and do, according to the people that live here (rather than the guide books). Oxford is full of quirks, secrets and back lanes if you know where to find them!


Our Oxford highlights

The Bodleian Library

The main Oxford University research library, opened in 1602, houses 13 million paper items in an architecturally stunning building. Take a tour!

Included in our Cotswold gardens holiday

Wytham Woods

A treasure trove of a woodland dating back to the Ice Age with 800 species of butterfly and 500 species of plants.

Included in our Ramble and ride in the Cotswolds holiday

Christchurch College

This Oxford college is the largest and very impressive. Its cathedral, staircases and dining hall with its amazing ceiling inspired the film makers of Harry Potter

Included in our A Cotswold ride to Bath holiday

Punting

Head to Magdalene bridge and hire a punt - a flat bottomed boat propelled by a metal pole. A true Oxford pastime, splashing about on the Thames backwaters.

Included in our Oxford and Thames royal palaces holiday

Thames meadows

You’ll find the dreamy water meadows in the heart of the city. Oxford residents still have an ancient right to graze their animals freely here

Included in our Ramble and ride in the Cotswolds holiday

Oxford Canal

You will find this rural canal right in the centre of Oxford with its adjacent towpath once used by the horses pulling the barges full of coal bound for the Thames.

Included in our Shakespeare country and the Cotswolds holiday


Our Oxford Cycling holidays


  1. Ramble and ride in the Cotswolds

    This tour combines walking and cycling and enables you to enjoy the full variety of the magical Cotswolds area with its beautiful hills and picture…

    From £1,765

    Gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / The Cotswolds

  2. The really rather special tour

    For our Really Rather Special Tour, we have combined our most stunning and interesting cycling routes in the Cotswolds with what we think are…

    From £4,400

    Gentle / Many durations / Self-guided / The Cotswolds

  3. Cotswold gardens

    As the Cotswolds are home to numerous stunning English gardens, we have created this tour to include many of the most renowned. To these we have…

    From £1,895

    Gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / The Cotswolds

  4. Thames source to sea

    Often described as 'liquid history', let the Thames lead you on a unique adventure through the heart and history of England. From its quiet source…

    From £2,975

    Not so gentle / 8 nights + / Self-guided / The Thames

  5. Oxford and Thames royal palaces

    The River Thames threads its way serenely through sleepy rural villages, pretty landscapes and through the heart of bustling historic towns such…

    From £2,585

    Gentle / 8 nights + / Self-guided / The Thames

  6. A Cotswold ride to Bath

    This romantic and relaxed journey between Oxford and Bath, two of England's finest cities, leads you through many of the Cotswolds' best loved…

    From £2,360

    Gentle / 8 nights + / Self-guided / The Cotswolds

  7. The Cotswolds and Stonehenge

    This iconic trip includes the World Heritage sites of Stonehenge, Bath and Blenheim Palace and a stunning journey from Oxford to Stratford on…

    From £2,760

    Not so gentle / 8 nights + / Self-guided / The Cotswolds

  8. Valleys of the Cotswolds

    Imagine Cotswold valleys at their most beautiful and chocolate box villages at their most glorious and you have this tour in a nutshell. Add…

    From £1,725

    Gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / The Cotswolds

  9. Shakespeare country and the Cotswolds

    This holiday wanders through the classic hills and valleys of Cotswold country with its picturesque honey coloured villages and peaceful streams.…

    From £1,975

    Gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / The Cotswolds

  10. Cotswold villages and Oxford

    This tour wanders through the classic hills and valleys of Cotswold country with its picturesque honey coloured villages and peaceful streams.…

    From £1,330

    Gentle / 4 or 5 nights / Self-guided / The Cotswolds


Can't find what you're looking for?

Many of our trips are tailor-made, so tell us what you're looking for and we'd be delighted to design the perfect cycling or walking holiday for you.


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