Voyages Through The Vale – Gloucestershire Cycling Short Break (5 days, 4 nights)
Price (from)
Difficulty
Tour information
Based in Tewkesbury you can explore the Georgian and Tudor streets of the town and the local area on this self guided cycling break in Gloucestershire.
The cycle routes allow you to explore the banks of the River Severn and the River Avon, the picturesque villages that sit at the foot of Bredon Hill and the ancient Saxon borough of Winchcombe with the splendours of Sudeley Castle and the Cotswolds escarpment.
Included/Excluded
- Bed & Breakfast Accommodation
- Fully comprehensive tour pack with colour coded routes on local maps
- Smartphone App with GPS
- Emergency Telephone Assistance
- Meals
- Transport to and from Gloucestershire
Itinerary
Cycle the complete circuit around the foot of Bredon Hill, a magnificent 'island' of the Cotswold Hills standing in the Vale of Evesham. This cycle route takes you through a string of beautiful villages where the stone cottages of the hills mix with the black and white thatched houses of the Vale.
Within the villages you can visit a number of traditional craftsmen, potters, silk printers and painters, and relax in the delightful and traditionally English inns.
This cycle ride heads to the foot of the Cotswold escarpment and onto Winchcombe, an important borough in Saxon times. Pay a visit the ruins of Hailes Abbey; it was once the centre of pilgrimage until the dissolution of the monasteries many years ago.
During this cycle route you can also visit Sudeley Castle, the last resting place of Henry VIII's surviving wife Katherine Parr. The castle was ruined in the Civil War then partially restored in the 19th century as a country house with wonderful gardens that you can explore.
The wide views from the top of Cleeve Hill will allow you to take in the views of the Malvern Hills, the Forest of Dean and, on a clear day, some mountains of Wales!
Enjoy a riverside cycle today following the Severn Way across the Medieval battlefield that saw the end of the War of the Roses, it then continues to the Saxon chapel at Deerhurst, one of the finest in the country.
Cross the river at Haw Bridge and continue downstream to the remarkable collection of Manor, Court and Tithe Barn at Ashelworth then return through the villages of Chaceley, Forthampton and Bushley from where you get fine views back over Tewkesbury.
Be sure to make a stop for lunch, on this cycle route there are no fewer than six delightful riverside inns!
Frequently asked questions
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.
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!
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 does the luggage transfer service work?
We offer a luggage transfer service across most of our tours so you don’t have to worry about your luggage during your vacation. We pick up your luggage on the morning you are moving accommodation and take it direct to your next stop.
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 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 ages do you cater for?
Both our walking and cycling tours can cater for travellers of all ages. Distance is listed on each of the tours. If you are unsure about the distance covered, please call us on +44(0) 1242 250 642.
All of our routes have been tried and tested by our expert team with lots of stop-offs and attractions so younger members of the team can rest and enjoy all that’s on offer. Please call us on +44(0) 1242 250 642 at the time of booking to discuss your exact requirements.
Cycling equipment
We have a large range of bikes and accessories suited to adults and budding cyclists. We also offer a tag along (tandem) (please note it is not fully enclosed and waterproof but a single wheeled bike that attaches to the adult bike). We can also provide fully enclosed and waterproof trailers for younger children.
What day can I start my tour?
Most of our tours can be taken at any time but there are some which start on specific days which are usually Saturday to Saturday.
To find out more information, please call our expert travel team on +44 (0) 1242 250 642 or email info@compass-holidays.com.
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.
