Cycling The Cotswolds

Description

The Cotswolds is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in central-south-west England and a superb destination for cycling, sightseeing and exploring. It covers nearly 800 square miles across five counties, primarily Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Renowned for its quintessential English charm, it features rolling hills (the "wolds") and, crucially, towns and villages constructed from distinctive golden-coloured, honey-hued limestone. It’s picturesque, with quaint historic villages with honey-coloured stone cottages, such as Castle Combe, and market towns like Cheltenham, Cirencester, and Chipping Campden. The region, which derives its name from "sheep enclosures in rolling hillsides," is famous for its sheep and a relaxed, rural, and idyllic atmosphere.

The Cotswolds features picturesque stone villages, historic market towns, and grand estates, with top spots including Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, and Castle Combe. Must-visit attractions include Broadway Tower, Blenheim Palace, Sudeley Castle, and walking the Cotswold Way. Key locations are focused around rural charm, boutique shopping, and scenic countryside.

Cycling in the Cotswolds offers a mix of scenic, rolling countryside, quiet country lanes, and charming limestone villages, featuring an array of different cycling terrains. Ideal from mid-spring to autumn, it provides both challenging limestone escarpment climbs and leisurely, traffic-free paths, suitable for road, hybrid, and mountain bikes. The Cotswolds boast cycle-friendly lanes, rolling countryside, canal paths and bridleways perfect for exploration by bike.

This fully guided cycling holiday is based in the Cotswold town of Bourton-on-the Water and is our base for the 5-day trip, with its abundance of shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and other services. All three guided rides are mainly on quiet country roads and lanes and will cover approximately 95 miles, but the scenery and sites are spectacular. The routes chosen are not without their challenges and this area is well known for the odd steep climb and descent, but some sections offer an easier gradient, with far reaching views over open countryside.

Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the "Venice of the Cotswolds," is a highly popular, picturesque village in Gloucestershire, England, renowned for the shallow River Windrush flowing through its centre, spanned by five low, arched stone bridges. It is famous for its honey-coloured Cotswold stone buildings, quaint cafes, and attractions like the Model Village, Birdland Park, and the Motor Museum, attracting many tourists.

Accommodation for this trip is based on a full board basis, staying at Harrington House hotel, in Bourton on the Water, sharing a twin or double room or for sole occupancy or a variety of single room options. There is a sole occupancy or single room supplement on this holiday (see prices). All rooms are ensuite and the hotel itself is impressive.

On this holiday, we also offer our group the opportunity to enjoy some downtime and dine out together in a pre-selected choice of local restaurants and hostelries. It’s a great way to get to know each other and enjoy some of the very best food and drink this area has to offer. Please note, pre-booked local taxis will take us from our accommodation to the restaurant or pub and return after the meal. The return taxi fare is not included in the holiday and will be an extra cost individually, which will need to be paid locally. There is no pressure for you to join the group in an evening, just let the guide know you will not be attending.

Everyone who is booked on this trip will receive a bespoke itinerary via email about one week before departure explaining every element of your trip. There are some real highlights to relish on this trip including visits to Broadway Tower, Burford, Coln St Aldwyn’s, Guiting Power, Stow-on-the-Wold and many more besides.

Holiday Highlights:

• Opportunity to visit historic towns of Stow-on-the Wold and Guiting Power
• Explore beautiful Burford
• Opportunity to visit landmark Broadway Tower
• Stay in good quality accommodation and enjoy the fantastic services in Bourton-on-the- Water
• The chance to visit a variety of quaint Cotswold villages and enjoy spectacular scenery
• Cycle in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Enjoy full board which includes breakfast, afternoon tea and evening meal atthe impressive Harrington House hotel

Itinerary

This is a fully guided and supported 5 day cycling trip. Itinerary as follows:

Day 1 - Monday 5 July 2027

Arrival in Bourton-on-the-Water
If you are travelling by train, you will arrive at Moreton-in-Marsh. Arrangements can be made to transfer you and your bike to Bourton-in-the-Water, but this will need to be arranged at the time of booking. For those driving, simply make your way to the accommodation in Bourton-on-the-Water by the designated time. A representative from Halcyon Cycling Holidays will meet you and show you to your accommodation. There is limited car parking on site. You are then free to spend time exploring the town. Please note, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry to welcome everyone on the trip.

Day 2 - Tuesday 6 July 2027

Bourton-on-the-Water to Broadway Tower (30 miles/48km, ascent 2241feet/682m)
After breakfast, we will assemble at the war memorial in town, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3, steady. There are some challenging ascents and descents on this ride. The ride is approximately 30 miles with a couple of coffee/lunch stops and you will ride through a variety of Cotswold villages and interesting places to visit including Lower and Upper Sewell and Lower Slaughter. Our destination on this ride is a well-known landmark Broadway Tower, an iconic 18th-century Gothic folly situated at the second-highest point in the Cotswolds. Known as the "highest little castle in the Cotswolds," the 65-foot tower stands at 1,024 feet above sea level on Beacon Hill, offering panoramic views that can span up to sixteen counties on a clear day. We will also have lunch and a coffee stop on this ride.

On day 2, after we get back after our ride, please note this is a free evening, no evening meal has been booked, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy the accommodation facilities and dine with your fellow housemates.

Day 3 - Wednesday 7 July 2027

Bourton-on-the-Water to Burford and Coln St Aldwyn’s. (34 miles/55km, ascent 1931feet/588m)
After breakfast, we will assemble at the war memorial in town, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3, steady. This ride is approximately 34 miles and is mainly on quiet roads and lanes visiting a variety of Cotswold villages like Coln St Aldwyn’s and the historic market town of Burford. Burford, frequently called the "Gateway to the Cotswolds," is a quintessential, picturesque, and historic market town in West Oxfordshire, known for its steep High Street that slopes down to the River Windrush. Famous for its stunning medieval bridge, Tudor and Georgian stone houses, and antique shops, it offers a timeless atmosphere This is a very scenic and rural ride, full of scenery and surprises! A coffee and lunch stop is planned for this ride. Please note, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry for everyone to enjoy.

Day 4 - Thursday 8 July 2027

Bourton-on-the-Water to Guiting Power and Stow-on-the-Wold (31 miles/48km, ascent 2600ft/792m).
After breakfast, we will assemble at the war memorial in town, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3, steady. We head out on quiet country lanes and roads with a steady ascent up to Guiting Power. Guiting Power is a quintessential, historic Cotswold village in Gloucestershire's Windrush Valley, known for its honey-coloured stone cottages, serene atmosphere, and strong community feel. With origins as an Anglo-Saxon settlement (Gyting Broc), it features a central green, two traditional pubs, a shop/cafe, and is a popular walking and cycling destination. After Guiting Power, we ride through a variety of Cotswold villages to our destination, Stow-on-the-Wold, an historic market town in the heart of the Cotswolds. Known for its large, antique-filled market square, honey-coloured stone buildings, and ancient history as an Iron Age Fort, it serves as a bustling, picturesque hub for shopping and dining and renowned for its independent shops and cafés, and the impressive St Edward’s medieval-built Church. A coffee and lunch stop is planned for this ride.

Please note, our final evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry for everyone to enjoy and to say our goodbyes before returning home after our trip.

Day 5 - Friday 9 July 2027

Final day and departure

After breakfast, we will leave for home. A transfer back to Moreton-in-Marsh railway station will be provided if you are travelling by train or, if driving, you can leave directly from our accommodation. Don’t forget to leave your key!

Accommodation

Accommodation for our trip to The Cotswolds is based in Bourton-on-the-Water, staying at the impressive Harrington House Hotel, in Bourton on the Water on a full board basis, which includes breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner. Please note, bike storage is available at the accommodation. An image of the hotel and accommodation is included in the Gallery section. For more information on the hotel, link: https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/country-houses/locations/bourton-on-the-water-cotswolds

Showcasing a mix of Tudor, Palladian, and Georgian architectural styles, this stately property was built in 1662 (records show ‘there stands a large cottage with mullioned windows’ on the present site during this time). The first owner was most likely Anthony Collett, whose niece Elizabeth inherited the house and extended it to its current glory with her lawyer husband, William Moore. In 1776, Moore's second wife (also Elizabeth), married Sir James Harrington, for whom the house is named. The house remained in the family thereafter and was purchased by Mr Hall in the early 19th century. In 1860, the property was sold to a Mr Mills who ran Jubilee Cottage (currently guest accommodation) as the Jubilee Inn, using the premises opposite as a malting house for brewing beer. The subsequent owner, Alfred Hadley, continued to use the house much in the same way and lived here from 1870 until 1922 when it changed hands yet again. 

Following a refurbishment in 2017, there’s a pleasing interior design theme throughout. In addition to interesting plasterwork, a grand stairway, and a cupola at the top of the house built in the 1730s and used by William Moore as a lookout, there’s an interesting Rococo ornate ceiling decorated with sunflowers, swallows, monkeys, and flowers. You’ll also find 27 well-appointed guest rooms in three categories (Classic, Premium, and Superior), two lounges, a licensed bar, and an attractive dining room for a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Elsewhere, there’s a handy boot and drying room, books and games to borrow during your stay, a walled garden, a large croquet lawn, and landscaped grounds. The house also has a Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and easy-to-follow information for self-guided walks and bike rides.

The Cycling

Each individual ride is graded and detailed in the itinerary description. The rides on this cycling trip have been graded as 3, steady.

This trip is suitable for most bike types except mountain bikes.

Group Size: 10-12 people.

Dates & Prices

5-9 July 2027, Price £895 on a full board basis. Sole occupancy supplement £100. Other supplements apply for single rooms too, see prices when booking.

The price stated is per person.

Additional Info

What’s Included:

• Accommodation (shared twin/double rooms or for sole occupancy or a variety of single rooms) on a full board basis at Harrington House hotel, with great facilities. 
• Services of a first aid trained ride leader and guide and a fully trained bike mechanic throughout your stay
• Bespoke and detailed itinerary emailed to you personally a week before travel
• GPX files emailed in advance of all the rides on this holiday
•  Return transfer from local railway station to accommodation if pre-booked
• Local Halcyon Cycling Holidays representative for the duration of the holiday
• Full financial protection (see booking conditions)

What’s Not Included:

• Bike and helmets
• Travel or flight costs or charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
• Meals not stated in the itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Personal clothing and equipment
• Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
• Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres
• Other optional activities
• Tips for guides, drivers, support staff
• Transfer costs such as local taxis, minibuses to take you to meals booked at local pubs and restaurants

Transfer Information

If you are arriving by train and you require a return transfer from Moreton-in-March railway station to Bourton-in-the-Water, please complete the appropriate section in the booking form to request a transfer.

Bike Hire

Bike hire can be arranged with one of the local bike shops in Moreton-in-Marsh. Ask one of our team about arranging bike hire at the time of booking as this is a special request. On all of our cycling holidays, wearing of a helmet is mandatory.

Gallery