Cotswold Cycling Short Break (2 nights, 3 days)

Price (from)

Difficulty

Tour information

Cycle the Cotswolds at your own leisure with our bespoke Wheeling on the Wolds short break.

Based in the stunning Cotswold Village of Bourton-on-the-Water for the duration of your trip, this pleasant cycle routes takes you through honey-coloured Cotswold stone villages, as well as the picturesque towns of Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford and Northleach.

With 4 routes available to take in the stunning views, this tour is an ideal Cotswolds cycling getaway.

Included/Excluded

  • Accommodation on a Bed & Breakfast basis
  • Fully comprehensive tour pack with colour coded routes on local maps
  • Smartphone App with GPS
  • Emergency Telephone Assistance
  • Meals other than breakfast
  • Transport to and from the Cotswolds
  • Bike Hire (optional hire)

Itinerary

By Rail or Bus –

Take the train to either Cheltenham Spa or Moreton in Marsh then a local bus (route 801) or taxi to Bourton on the Water.

The National express runs a service between London and Bourton on the Water, alternatively there are regular services to Cheltenham Spa and you can take a local bus (route 801) to Bourton.  Below are websites that can help you plan your route.

Trainline

https://www.thetrainline.com/

National Express

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en

Pulmans route 801

https://bustimes.org/services/801-moreton-in-marsh-bourton-on-the-water-andovers

By Car – Bourton on the Water can be reached via the M4, M40 and M5 Motorways and local roads. Below is the AA that can help you plan your route.

https://www.theaa.com/route-planner/route

By Air – There are a number of airports close to the Cotswolds including Bristol and Birmingham.  From here take the train or coach to Cheltenham Spa or Moreton in Marsh.  Below is the Skyscanner website to plan your flight, see above for rail, coach and bus websites.

https://www.skyscanner.net/

For further information on getting to the Cotswolds please visit The Cotswolds website.

For this trip, you will be based in the gorgeous village of Bourton on the Water for the duration of your stay, giving you the opportunity to choose from the following cycle routs.

Take in the quintessentially-Cotswolds on this tour, with charming cottages, manor houses and water mill in the villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter on the way to Stow on the Wold. Here, you can see beautiful stone buildings surrounding a traditional market square that historically sold up 25,000 sheep in a day! On the rout back, ride through Idbury and Church Westcote which offers some of the most breath-taking views across the Oxfordshire Wolds.

Meandering along the River Windrush east to Wychwood, the quaint little town of Burford arises from the river bank. This town's high street boasts world renowned building stone and skilled masons. On your return, cycle through more delightful Cotswold villages such as Little Barrington and Sherborne along the other bank of the River Windrush.

Cycle into the beating heart of the Cotswolds with sweeping views across untouched English countryside. Take a breather and explore the local and exotic wildlife at The Cotswold Farm Park. You could also visit Broadway Tower, a classic English folly built high on the escarpment providing views over twelve counties! Snowshill is a must see Cotswolds village and its manor contains a fascinating collection of historic artefacts. Winding country lanes take you meandering through the scenic villages of the Guitings and Naunton on the way back.

Explore the picturesque market town of Northleach and cycle through the beautiful villages of Coln Dennis, Coln Rogers and Bibury. Visit the Chedworth Roman Villa, the most complete villa in Britain with mosaic floors, bath houses and heating system all on display in their original surroundings. They also boast a lovely and very interesting visitor centre.

Recuperate from your journey before your departure.

Depart from your hotel.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to walk/cycle every day of my trip?

Absolutely not! You can enjoy additional stop overs at various points along the tour if you would like more time to explore the local area.

We can also add additional days to the start and end of your trip to allow you to explore and relax.

If you would like to add rest days or additional nights to your trip please contact us at info@compass-holidays.com to discuss your specific requirements. We’re happy to tailor your trip to suit you!

Can I bring my own bike on the tour?

Of course you can, providing it’s roadworthy and safe. Unfortunately our free breakdown cover may not apply in these circumstances.

If you would like more information about the type of bike our tours are suitable for please contact us at info@compass-holidays.com.

If you bring your own bike we are unable to provide any assistance in the case of issues.

How do I get to the start of my tour?

Most UK travel destinations are accessible by public transport.

However, some of the locations are quite rural and may require a car or taxi to reach the starting point.

Our tours do not include travel to the starting point as standard but if you would like specific travel to be include in your trip please let our team know.

Not quite sure where to start? Contact us at info@compass-holidays.com to discuss your travel plans.

What kind of bikes can I hire for my trip?

Our cycle tours come with hybrid bike hire as standard. eBike hire is available at an additional cost. Please contact us at info@compass-holidays.com for more information.

If you are travelling with children, we have a range of children’s mountain bikes and tag-a-long trailers for hire.

Tandem bikes are also available for those wanting a truly unique adventure!

All our hires come with helmets, locks and puncture repair kits as standard.

Panniers are also available for a small additional charge.

How far can I walk or cycle each day?

How far you choose to travel each day depends on your individual fitness levels and how long you want to spend walking or cycling.

We have a wide range of tours to suit all fitness levels.

All our itineraries specify the daily mileage and the difficulty level of the tour.

If you would like to make adjustments to a tour to suit your specific needs, please contact us at info@compass-holidays.com to discuss a bespoke tour. We are good at this!

 

How fit do I have to be?

Our tours all vary in degrees of hardness.

We specify the difficulty level of all of our tours on our website. The itineraries also give an indication of the gradients travelled on any given day.

If you would like to discuss this in more detail with our travel experts please contact us prior to booking.

What happens if I need assistance when cycling?

For punctures and minor repairs we do provide you with a toolkit with all of the essentials.

For major repairs, please contact us immediately on +44 (0) 1242 250 642 so we can organise a serviceman to come out to repair or exchange the bike for you as soon as possible.

What about places to eat?

All our tours come with bed and breakfast as standard.

In some more remote locations, accommodation providing breakfast may not be possible but we will find you somewhere to get breakfast nearby. This will be covered in the price of your trip.

Our tours do not include lunch and dinner as standard, though some accommodations do offer packed lunches and dinner options at an additional charge. Please let us know if you would like this option when booking.

What type of accommodation is included?

Our holidays are priced with 3* hotel, B&B as standard. These accommodations are hand picked for our tours.

Where a bespoke or luxury option is required please contact us on +44 (0) 1242 250642.

Can I bring my dog with me?

Several of our tours do have the option to bring your four-legged friend with you, depending on availability.

Please contact our expert travel team on +44(0) 1242 250 642 to find out which tours your dog will love too!