The variety on this walking and cycling tour is wonderful; from the Thames Path and meadows out of Oxford to the dramatic White Horse on the downs and the ancient Ridgeway path. There are pretty Thames hamlets, idyllic villages and Royal Wantage at the foot of the downs, the lone Thames ford and an old railway track to discover on your bike. Take to the hills on foot in between with stunning views, ancient woodlands and the oldest dated chalk figure in England. Enjoy our choice of beautiful villages with delightful accommodation and float back to Oxford aboard a Thames boat. What could be more idyllic?



Holiday details

Price

Classic

from £835 per person

Based on two people sharing a room

What’s included?

There are no extras, however you’ll love what’s included as standard

Duration

5 nights

Start & Finish

Starts Sundays and is circular from Oxford

Hotels

Classic

Centrally located hand picked hotels and inns and a 16th Century farmhouse

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

Not so gentle cycling (2) More info...

Electric bikes

Available

Mileage

Cycling mileage: 2 days with 20 to 24 miles (32 - 38 km) per day. Additional mileages available. Walking mileage: 2 days with 10 - 13 miles (16 - 21 km) per day

Terrain

Flat cycling with a few undulations. Flat walking with a gentle hill one day and a steep climb to the White Horse on the other day

Traffic-free

About half, very low traffic on the rest for cycling



Itinerary day-by-day


Classic

  1. 1. Day one

    Arrive Oxford

    Arrive in Oxford and check into your hotel located close to the heart of the city. Enjoy the treasures of this beautiful city today. 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.

  2. 2. Day two

    Oxford to an Oxfordshire village

    Today your host will meet you at your hotel and run through the itinerary before the Thames Path leads you through Oxford and for most of the way today. Your walk is through the unspoilt meadows of the Upper Thames, very wild in parts but dotted with cosy pubs, the occasional lock and relaxed boaters. Meadows give way to gentle hills and ancient woodlands as you leave the river path for a while and enjoy great views of Oxford. Your overnight stay is a 16th Century farmhouse nestled in a pretty Oxfordshire village.

    13 miles (21 km)

  3. 3. Day three

    An Oxfordshire village to Woolstone

    Your bicycle will be delivered to the farmhouse for your ride today which takes in the peaceful villages of the Upper Thames and the Vale of The White Horse. Weather permitting, you can cross the Thames using the only ford on the river and then pedal on through unhurried rural Oxfordshire. The downs and the White Horse ahead loom large and dramatic with the pretty villages of Uffington and Woolstone sitting at their foot. The village inn here welcomes you for your overnight stay.

    21 miles (34 km)

  4. 4. Day four

    Woolstone to Wantage

    Today's walk is stunning and begins with a climb up White Horse Hill to this 3,000 year old chalk figure. Adjacent to it is the equally ancient hill fort of Uffington Castle. And on the very top of these chalk downs lies your path for the day - The Ridgeway which travellers have used for 5,000 years. Enjoy the panoramic views and the Iron Age Segsbury Fort before finding your overnight stay in the small market town of Wantage at the foot of the downs.

    10 miles (16 km)

  5. 5. Day five

    Wantage to Oxford

    Your bicycle will be waiting for your ride today which takes you out of the attractive town of Wantage and then gently on along the foot of the downs. Stunning views and beautiful villages mark the route with an old railway track leading you back to the Thames at Abingdon. Float back to Oxford aboard a river boat or ride on if you want to pedal a little further. Your adventure ends with a final night in Oxford and no doubt many tales to tell.

    20 or 28 miles (32 or 45 km)

  6. 6. Day six

    Depart Oxford

    Depart at leisure.