The River Thames threads its way serenely through sleepy rural villages, pretty landscapes and through the heart of bustling historic towns such as Oxford and Windsor. Royalty beckons with palaces at Kew, Richmond, Hampton Court and Windsor whilst the history of England is recorded in the fabric of the waterside defining the Thames as 'liquid history'. Enjoy the water meadows, old inns, wildlife and weirs that lead you on through your adventures.
The tranquil river path provides the route for much of this trip - we love it because it is flat and traffic free and the itinerary is relaxed. What a great way to discover the sights and smells of quintessential England!
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
-
from £2,065 per person
for 6 nights. 8 night trip £2,330 per person based on two people sharing a room. - Luxury
-
from £3,105 per person
for 6 nights. 8 night trip £3,460 per person based on two people sharing a room.
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Train hop on day 6. See what’s included as standard
Duration
6 or 8 nights
Start & Finish
6 night trip starts Tuesdays in Windsor and ends in Oxford. 8 night trip starts Sundays in Hampton Court and ends in Oxford
Hotels
- Classic
-
Centrally located, hand picked hotels and inns
- Luxury
-
Characterful and historic 4 and 5 star hotels
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle cycling (2) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
6 days of cycling with one further day of optional cycling 11 - 19 miles (18 - 30 km) per day
Terrain
Flat with a mix of bike paths, gravel tracks and the occassional road and grass tracks
Traffic-free
Almost completely.
Options
- Additional nights in Windsor and Oxford
- Explore further from Oxford by taking one of our trips into the Cotswolds
- Easy transport links enabling a non-cycling partner to enjoy the holiday
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
-
1. Day one
Arrive Hampton Wick
Arrive in Hampton Wick and check into your hotel close to the river and Kingston town. There’s a lot to see close by as Hampton Court Palace grounds adjoin your hotel and provide a lovely walk to the Palace itself. Here is 500 years of royal history from Henry VIII to Queen Victoria, from state apartments to Tudor kitchens, and renaissance paintings to a maze. Your cycling equipment will be delivered to your hotel where your host will also meet you to run through your itinerary and to familiarize you with the route.
-
2. Day two
Hampton Wick circular ride
Your traffic free ride today is glorious along the river and takes in Richmond with its Old Palace and Park, chic shops and waterside cafes and the fine historic houses along the waterfront. The longer ride includes Kew Palace and the Internationally famed Kew Gardens. You can also cycle on to Hampton Court Palace. And you may be able to enjoy a boat ride too with bikes aboard to help you along your way. Wow what a start to the tour!
13, 16 or 21 miles (21,25 or 34 km)
-
3. Day three
Hampton Wick to Windsor
Ride to Windsor today along the classic riverscape of the Thames. There are houseboats and villas, famous islands and willow lined meadows, pretty lock cottages, attractive steeples & ancient waterside inns. Enjoy the tranquillity and rural scene before making tracks to Windsor where your overnight stop is located. There is a circular ride from here into Windsor Great Park if you want more cycling. For those taking the 6 night tour, your host will meet you in Windsor with your cycling equipment.
23 or 40 miles (37 or 64 km)
-
4. Day four
Windsor to Marlow
Enjoy Windsor and its castle this morning and take a peek at Eton across the river. After lunch, there is a pretty route to cycle that leads away from the river through old villages and hamlets. Cross the river a number of times as you arrive in Marlow. Your overnight stay is in the heart of this attractive town.
19 miles (30 km)
-
5. Day five
Marlow to Henley
Take time to discover all the history of Marlow before cycling to Henley. You encounter a few slopes of the Chiltern Hills with fantastic views, wonderful scenery and weirs. Arrive in Henley tracking the famed rowing regatta course and you will quickly discover its elegant atmosphere. Stroll along the waterfront, enjoy tea on one of a number of river islands or visit The River and Rowing Museum. Your overnight stop nestles in the heart of the town.
10 miles (18 km)
-
6. Day six
Henley to Streatley
Today's ride follows the river through some of its most magical settings. Pedal across weirs, spot the llamas, smell ancient beech woods and discover the prettiest village on the Thames. There's a 5 minute train hop at the end of the day to Streatley where you spend the night in an old inn set in a tranquil village.
19 miles (30 km)
-
7. Day seven
Streatley to Oxford
Crisscross the Thames today and take in pretty riverside villages and forgotten rural scenes. These dreamy waters of the Upper Thames are where many a famous tale has been dreamt. The shorter ride - available only in August, includes a boat hop from Abingdon with its ancient abbey. With Oxford and its dreaming spires beckoning, you pedal along the Thames to find your hotel for the next two nights in the heart of the city.
22 or 28 miles (35 or 45 km)
-
8. Day eight
Enjoy Oxford
Enjoy the treasures of Oxford today - by bike if you wish. There are the lovely colleges of the University with their magnificent architecture, museums galore, galleries and famous libraries. Add to these fine restaurants, unique shops and river backwaters dotted with punters and rowing eights and you will enjoy a fitting finale to your tour.
Optional 12 miles (19 km)
-
9. Day nine
Return to London
Depart at your leisure,
Luxury
-
1. Day one
Arrive Hampton Court
Arrive in Hampton Court and check into your hotel located on the river. There’s a lot to see very close by as Hampton Court Palace faces your hotel. Here is 500 years of royal history from Henry VIII to Queen Victoria, from state apartments to Tudor kitchens, and renaissance paintings to a maze. Your cycling equipment will be delivered to your hotel where your host will also meet you to run through your itinerary and to familiarize you with the route.
-
2. Day two
Hampton Court circular ride
Your traffic free ride today is glorious along the river and takes in Richmond with its Old Palace and Park, chic shops and waterside cafes and the fine historic houses along the waterfront. The longer ride includes Kew Palace and the Internationally famed Kew Gardens. You may be able to enjoy a boat ride too with bikes aboard to help you along your way. Wow what a start to the tour!
19 or 23 miles (30 or 37 km)
-
3. Day three
Hampton Court to Windsor
Ride to Windsor today along the classic riverscape of the Thames. There are houseboats and villas, famous islands and willow lined meadows, pretty lock cottages, attractive steeples & ancient waterside inns. Enjoy the tranquillity and rural scene before making tracks to Windsor where your overnight stop is located. There is a circular ride from here into Windsor Great Park if you want more cycling. For those taking the 6 night tour, your host will meet you in Windsor with your cycling equipment.
18 miles (29 km) or 35 miles (56 km)
-
4. Day four
Windsor to Marlow
Enjoy Windsor and its castle this morning and take a peek at Eton across the river. After lunch, there is a pretty route to cycle that leads away from the river through old villages and hamlets. Cross the river a number of times as you arrive in Marlow. Your overnight stay is in the heart of this attractive town.
19 miles (30 km)
-
5. Day five
Marlow to Henley
Take time to discover all the history of Marlow before cycling to Henley. You encounter a few slopes of the Chiltern Hills with fantastic views, wonderful scenery and weirs.-Arrive in Henley tracking the famed rowing regatta course and you will quickly discover its elegant atmosphere. Stroll along the waterfront, enjoy tea on one of a number of river islands or visit The River and Rowing Museum. Your overnight stop nestles in the heart of the town.
10 miles (18 km)
-
6. Day six
Henley to Streatley
Today's ride follows the river through some of its most magical settings. Pedal across weirs, spot the llamas, smell ancient beech woods and discover the prettiest village on the Thames. There's a 5 minute train hop at the end of the day to Streatley where you spend the night in an old inn set in a tranquil village.
19 miles (30 km)
-
7. Day seven
Streatley to Oxford
Crisscross the Thames today and take in pretty riverside villages and forgotten rural scenes. These dreamy waters of the Upper Thames are where many a famous tale has been dreamt. The shorter ride - available only in August, includes a boat hop from Abingdon with its ancient abbey. With Oxford and its dreaming spires beckoning, you pedal along the Thames to find your hotel for the next two nights in the heart of the city.
22 or 28 miles (35 or 45 km)
-
8. Day eight
Enjoy Oxford
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy the treasures of Oxford today - by bike if you wish. There are the lovely colleges of the University with their magnificent architecture, museums galore, galleries and famous libraries. Add to these fine restaurants, unique shops and river backwaters dotted with punters and rowing eights and you will enjoy a fitting finale to your tour.
Optional 12 miles (19 km)
-
9. Day nine
Return to London
Depart at your leisure,