Two Centre: Cotswolds & Cornwall Bike Hike

Our team will meet your clients at their hotel at 9.30am (unless otherwise arranged) with the bikes and tour pack, ready to start the day. The day begins with a short transfer from Cheltenham to the start of the route in The Cotswolds to begin the ride to Moreton-in-Marsh.

Ride through a selection of local Cotswold villages past picture postcard views to the delightful village of Snowshill, before continuing your journey to Moreton. On the way, take in the delightful Manor House at Snowshill and explore its wonderful collection of historic artefacts. Then say hello to the traditional farm breeds at The Cotswold Wildlife Park or visit the Indian architecture of Sezincote House.

Stay overnight in Moreton-in-Marsh. Luggage will be transferred.

The village of Blockley is one of the jewels of the Cotswolds that is often overlooked. The little stream that runs through it once supported a dozen mills that were used for all manner of industry from flour milling to silk weaving. The delightful old buildings, ponds and streams now offer wonderful opportunities for creative gardeners.

At Batsford there is gardening on a much larger scale with an Arboretum inspired by the mountain sides of Asia Minor and a Falconry Centre running regular demonstrations. The cottages, church and 14th century tithe barn at Bourton on the Hill make a wonderful and very English scene.

Stay overnight in Moreton-in-Marsh. No luggage transfer required.

Cycling past the River Evenlode, day four will take you from Moreton in Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water via traditional Cotswold villages such as Stow-on-the-Wold and Upper Slaughter. Bourton-on-the-Water offers a unique country experience, with a range of attractions providing something for everyone.

Stay overnight in Bourton-on-the-Water. Luggage will be transferred. 

A walk over rolling hills through mixed farmland takes you up to Cold Ashton. Here you can rest in a traditional English pub before strolling on to Naunton where pretty stone cottages nestle in a valley surrounded by sheep, pleasant countryside and horse racing gallops. Follow the River Windrush down through lush meadows and woods past a lost medieval village back to Bourton.

Stay overnight in Bourton-on-the-Water. No luggage transfer required.

This cycle route includes a visit to Northleach, an old market town, and Bibury, the most beautiful village in England according to artist William Morris, before continuing on to the old market town of Cirencester.

Enjoy a walking circuit from Cirencester via the gorgeous village of Coates near to Cirencester Park, part of the Bathurst Estate.

Continue past The Tunnel House, opened in 1783 to provide accommodation and refreshments for some of the 2-300 navvies who worked on the Thames and Severn Canal and particularly on the Sapperton Tunnel whose south-eastern portal you will have just crossed.

Walk past the source of the River Thames and along the Thames Path to Ewen and on to the Roman Amphitheatre before returning to Cirencester.

Stay overnight in Cirencester. No luggage transfer required.  

Cycle from Cirencester to Cheltenham and visit many of the pretty Cotswold Villages. Don’t forget to visit the Roman Villa at Chedworth! This is the most complete villa in Britain with mosaic floors, bath houses and heating system all on display in their original settings.

There is also a collection of artefacts in the museum and an interesting visitor centre.

Stay overnight in Cheltenham. Luggage will be transferred. 

Hike out of Cheltenham to the top of Leckhampton Hill, where you will be rewarded by some superb views of the Severn Vale and Cheltenham as well as some interesting historical sites. Continue on through the village of Coberley where you will then find the church of St. Giles.

Its unexpected setting and grand monuments tells a long history of the village that now stands. The walk will also take you to Seven Springs, the disputed source of the River Thames.

Stay overnight in Cheltenham. No luggage transfer required. 

Travel to Truro or Penzance by car or train (Transport not included)  

Today’s route takes you from Truro via the Roseland Peninsula, taking in the best of the local landscape. It uses mostly country lanes and cycle paths once you have left Truro and is a peaceful day’s riding.

This is the most challenging route of the trip with a lot of hills, but a shortcut has been provided if you need it. The full route is hillier than the shortcut, but worth it to see the truly spectacular scenery in the local area.

Please note, the trip includes a transfer via King Harry’s Ferry, which costs £1.50 per person and is payable locally.

Overnight in Truro. No luggage transfer required.

Traversing between Truro and Helston for your next overnight, this route takes you past the old tin mine at Wheal Jane to Penryn, once the main port in this area, where you’ll find its heritage displayed in some fine architecture from Tudor to Georgian and in a small museum.

Continue down the coast to Falmouth, a busy pleasant town where the atmosphere is flavoured by the salt sea air. Here you can visit several exotic gardens, a Maritime Museum and some pleasant beaches. Impressive fortifications of Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle still dominate the headland. Continue past more subtropical gardens to Gweek on the Helford Creek, the home of the National Seal Sanctuary where they rescue injured seal pups from local beaches and also care for other abandoned sea mammals, before ending in Mullion.

The terrain is not as tough as the circuit from Truro, but there are still some steep climbs out of Truro and around Falmouth, Constantine and Gweek.

Overnight in Mullion. Luggage will be moved.

Take the bus down to Lizard Village, the most southerly point of the British mainland. It has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times and the coast around it still attracts modern travellers.

From the famous lighthouse, follow one of the most dramatic and beautiful sections of the coast path back to Mullion, past the sheltered beaches and remarkable rock formations of Kynance Cove. Please note, the bus ticket costs £15 and is payable locally.

Overnight in Mullion. No luggage transfer required.

Head from Mullion, across Goonhilly Downs and then through the Penrose Estate, an area of woodland around the Loe Pool now owned by the National Trust.

The bustling Cornish town of Penzance is an historic port with sub-tropical gardens and with views across Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount, there will be plenty of photo opportunities.

Overnight in Penzance. Luggage will be moved.

Travel via bus to Lands End and then enjoy a delightful walk back to Penzance. The route can be shortened at any point by taking a bust journey back to the hotel. You will then stay overnight in Penzance. Please note, the bus is payable locally and will cost from £3 to £8 per person.

Overnight in Penzance. No luggage transfer required.

Leave Penzance and ride to the north coast where the mudflats of the River Hayle are a rich habitat for wading birds. Follow the coast road past miles of sand dunes then above rugged cliffs with spectacular views of the Atlantic.

Explore a woodland cycle trail at the tranquil Tehidy Country Park, on the way to the popular surfing cove at Portreath. This was one of the main mining areas in Cornwall until the early 20th century and you can still visit Cornish Goldsmiths workshops and exhibition and the Tolgus Tin Streaming works nearby. The ride ends along beautiful wooded valleys back into Truro.

Overnight in Truro. Luggage will be transferred.

Circular walking route from Truro via St Mawes. A taxi will collect you and transfer you to Falmouth to catch the ferry to St Mawes. The ferry is payable on the day and will cost £7.50 each. St Mawes is a small town opposite Falmouth on the Roseland Peninsula.