This holiday wanders through the classic hills and valleys of Cotswold country with its picturesque honey-coloured villages and peaceful streams. And through its hidden tracks, it leads from the heart of one bustling historic town to another.
The graceful contours of Cotswolds lanes and bridleways provide much of the route with the tranquil Oxford Canal leading to Blenheim Palace. Stop and explore Cotswold market towns, several famed gardens, thatched inns, lavender fields and marvellous vistas. Discover Shakespeare’s history in Stratford upon Avon and enjoy the spirit of Oxford - a magical combination.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £1,995 per person
- Luxury
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from £3,155 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
Duration
7 nights
Start & Finish
Starts daily from Oxford, finishes Moreton-in-Marsh. Both are on the mainline railway from London
Hotels
- Classic
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Centrally located hand picked hotels and inns
- Luxury
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Characterful and historic 4 and 5 star hotels and inns
Holiday type
Self-guided so you are free to explore at your own pace. More info...
Activity level
Gentle cycling (3) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
6 days of cycling 10 - 26 miles (16 - 42 km) per day
Terrain
Undulating with some slopes on day 6
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. Touring bikes and accessories. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guidebook or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
Read About Our Trips for further details
Traffic-free
More than half; very low traffic on the rest
Options
- Additional nights in Oxford or Stratford
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
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1. Day one
Oxford
Arrive in Oxford and check into your hotel adjacent to the heart of the city. Enjoy the treasures of this beautiful city today and stroll through the lovely colleges of the University with their magnificent architecture and gardens. Take in the museums, galleries and libraries galore, and perhaps a concert or play. Discover the little tea rooms and fine restaurants, the unique shops and back streets and the river backwaters dotted with punters and rowing eights. Your host will meet you at your hotel, either late afternoon today or tomorrow after breakfast to brief you, share their local knowledge and make sure you are familiar with your bikes.
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2. Day two
Oxford to Woodstock
Your cycling journey begins! This delightful and rural waterside ride leads out of Oxford, past houseboats and locks and through pretty villages. Not far from the canal, sits the Cotswold stone village of Woodstock and the grandiose Blenheim Palace set in 2000 acres of Capability Brown landscape. Built in the 18th Century, it was the birthplace of Winston Churchill and the 12th Duke of Marlborough lives there. You will stay in the heart of this lovely village.
12 miles (19 km)
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3. Day three
Woodstock to Bledington
Today’s ride explores classic Cotswolds country. There are twisting lanes leading through pretty villages; tiny bridges crossing gurgling rivers, old woodlands, hidden tracks nestling in the valleys and wonderful views. Cosy pubs are dotted along the route. Your inn tonight overlooks the village pond in one of these villages.
23 miles (37 km)
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4. Day four
Bledington to Stratford upon Avon
Start the day with either a short train hop or a gentle pedal to the Cotswold market town of Moreton-in-Marsh where the high street formed part of the Roman Fosse Way. Linger in the shops and cafes before cycling gently on through peaceful country lanes to enjoy the renowned gardens of Hidcote and Kiftsgate before freewheeling downhill through ancient villages, to join an old railway track route that leads straight into Stratford. This old market town is of course known worldwide through its most famous resident, William Shakespeare. Your overnight stay is in the heart of the town with all its half-timbered buildings.
23 miles (37 km) or 32 miles (51 km)
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5. Day five
Stratford upon Avon to Broadway
Take the morning to further enjoy Stratford as there's much to see. Visit the restored Tudor houses associated with Shakespeare and the Royal Shakespeare Company's theatre. Stroll around the backstreets, browse the shops, linger in a cafe or take a boat trip on the river Avon. Pedal off after lunch on an easy ride to the neat gardens and pretty cottages of Broadway where you will stay the night. If you are keen to cycle further, we provide directions to Sudeley Castle and Winchcombe, which offers a lovely return journey through a string of gorgeous villages. Your overnight stay is in the heart of Broadway.
16 miles (25 km) or 34 miles (55 km)
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6. Day six
Broadway to Chipping Campden
This is one of our favourite days of cycling in England ever - despite the inclusion of the only real hill of the entire route! Leave all visitors behind as you take an idyllic rural track through sheep clad hills to the delightful village of Snowshill where you can visit inside the manor house. Ride on through purple lavender fields and look forward to a refreshment stop near the Broadway Tower, which affords breathtaking views over 12 counties on a clear day. The breathtaking vistas continue with a downhill route for the rest of the day that leads to the 'must see' 14th Century honey coloured stone buildings of Chipping Campden. Staying in the heart of this town you will be able to soak up the very special atmosphere of the place and relax after a stunning day of cycling.
12 miles (19 km)
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7. Day seven
Chipping Campden to Moreon-in-Marsh
Your final day gives you a few of options. Start the day by cycling through some lovely hidden villages to reach Moreton in Marsh – a short distance with loads of time to relax. You can pedal further on through the Cotswolds across fords and fields to discover ancient Stow on the Wold whilst the longest ride also takes you to the lovely hamlets of the Slaughters and to Bourton on the Water with a hill. All routes lead back to Moreton for your final night in the heart of this Cotswold market town.
10, 24 or 35 miles (16, 39 or 56 km)
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8. Day eight
Depart Moreton-in-Marsh
Leave Moreton at your leisure.
Luxury
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1. Day one
Oxford
Arrive in Oxford and check into your hotel in the heart of the city.. Explore the treasures of the city of dreaming spires on this first day. Stroll through the lovely colleges of the University, be inspired by their magnificent architecture, and delight in the gardens. Take in the museums, libraries, galleries or maybe even a performance at the theatre. Sample the little tea rooms and fine restaurants, check out the boutiques and back streets, try some punting on the backwaters of the river. Your host will meet you at your hotel, either late afternoon today or tomorrow after breakfast to brief you, share their local knowledge and make sure you are familiar with your bikes.
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2. Day two
Oxford to Woodstock
Commence your cycling adventure along the Oxford Canal, which is a stone's throw from your hotel. This delightful and rural waterside ride winds its way out of Oxford, past canal boats, locks and charming villages. You will soon reach the Cotswold stone village of Woodstock and the splendid Blenheim Palace, set in 2000 acres of Capability Brown landscape. The palace, which dates back to the 18th century, was the birthplace of Winston Churchill and is now the home of the 12th Duke of Marlborough. You will stay in the heart of this lovely village.
12 miles (19 km)
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3. Day three
Woodstock to Kingham
Today offers the opportunity to explore some classic Cotswolds country. There are twisting lanes leading through pretty villages, cute bridges crossing gurgling rivers; ancient woodlands, hidden tracks nestling in the valleys and some fantastic views. Cosy pubs are dotted along the route and there’s time to linger in the old stone and thatched villages. Your inn tonight is the Kingham Plough which overlooks the charming village green.
23 miles (37 km)
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4. Day four
Kingham to Stratford upon Avon
Today there is the option of a quick train ride or a gentle pedal to Moreton-in-Marsh, a Cotswold market town whose high street formed part of the historic Roman Fosse Way. Take your time to potter about the shops and cafes before taking a gentle cycle route through peaceful country lanes. Stop en route and enjoy the world-famous gardens of Hidcote and Kiftsgate (which we strongly recommend!) before freewheeling downhill through villages seemingly untouched by time, to join the old railway track that leads into Stratford. This famous market town needs little introduction as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Your hotel for the night is The Arden Hotel, superbly situated in the centre of town.
23 miles (37 km) or 32 miles (51 km)
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5. Day five
Stratford upon Avon to Broadway
Take the morning to explore Stratford up close - there's much to do and see here. Visit the five restored Tudor houses associated with Shakespeare and the theatre which is home to the Royal Shakespeare Company. Stroll through the many shops and backstreets, linger in a cafe or take a boat trip on the river Avon on whose banks the town attractively sits. Pedal off after lunch on the flat and easy ride to the neat gardens and pretty cottages of Broadway where you will stay the night. If you are keen to cycle further, ride on to Sudeley Castle and Winchcombe and return through a series of gorgeous villages Your hotel, the famed Lygon Arms, nestles in the main street of Broadway.
16 miles (25 km) or 34 miles (55 km)
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6. Day six
Broadway to Chipping Campden
This is a truly wonderful day (a real favourite here at The Carter Company) despite the fact it includes a bit of a hill - the only one on the entire trip. Leave all tourists behind and pedal along an idyllic rural track through hills dotted with livestock to the delightful village of Snowshill, where you can stop off and visit the local manor house. Ride on past stunning fields of lavender and look forward to a refreshment stop near the Broadway Tower with breathtaking views over 12 counties on a clear day. The outstanding vistas continue with a downhill route for the rest of the day that lets you freewheel into the 'must see' 14th century honey coloured town of Chipping Campden. Your hotel for the last night of the tour is The Cotswold House Hotel, which lies on the main street of this gem of the Cotswolds. Soak up the very special atmosphere of this quintessential corner of England and relax after a marvellous day of adventure.
12 miles (19 km)
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7. Day seven
Chipping Campden to Moreon-in-Marsh
Your final day gives you a few of options. Start the day by cycling through some lovely hidden villages to reach Moreton in Marsh – a short distance with loads of time to relax. You can pedal further on through the Cotswolds across fords and fields to discover ancient Stow on the Wold whilst the longest ride also takes you to the lovely hamlets of the Slaughters and to Bourton on the Water with a hill. All routes lead back to Moreton for your final night in the heart of this Cotswold market town.
10, 24 or 35 miles (16, 39 or 56 km)
-
8. Day eight
Depart Moreton-in-Marsh
Leave Moreton at your leisure.