Details:
* Start/finish: Starts Sundays and is circular from Oxford
* Hotels: Hand picked bed and breakfast accommodation with 2 night stays in each location - near the heart of Oxford, in Burford and Bibury. Dinner is not included.
* Cycling mileage: 3 days of cycling with two further days of optional cycling. 22 - 26 miles (35 - 42 km) per day. Additional daily mileages.
* Skill level: Novice.
* Terrain: Mostly flat with a few slopes.
* Traffic free:More than half; very low traffic on the rest
Follow the Thames meadows in and out of Oxford and ride tiny lanes and gentle bridleways along the Windrush and Coln valleys. Enjoy an 18th century working wool mill, tiny farm shops and babbling brooks.
Add a touch of Roman influence - at Cirencester and you know you've hit a winner
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Oxford
Arrive in Oxford on Sunday 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. At a time to suit you make your way to our base in the centre of Oxford, which is open from 10.00 to 16.00 to pick up your cycling equipment. Your host will meet you there, organise your bicycle and run through your itinerary.
Day 2: Oxford to Burford - 26 miles (42 km )
Leave Oxford by riding along the peaceful and very rural Thames meadows into the Cotswolds. Explore the old woolen town of Witney and discover the beautiful valley of the River Windrush. Nestled here is a string of romantic villages like Minster Lovell bearing ancient honey coloured stone buildings and thatched village pubs. Burford too, where you will stay for the next two nights, has changed little over the centuries and it's bustling high street is one of the most picturesque in the Cotswolds.
Day 3: Burford to Bourton on Water & back - Optional 22 miles (35km)
Today you have a choice of relaxing in Burford or taking the circular ride which leads you further into the Windrush valley through classic Cotswolds country. There are tiny bridges crossing gurgling rivers and twisting lanes leading through scenic hamlets to Bourton. This ever so pretty village has the Windrush flowing right through its heart and if you want to see the even more beautiful then pedal on to the villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter before returning to Burford.
Day 4: Burford to Bibury - 22 miles (35km)
This is another wonderful ride through timeless countryside into the Coln valley. Explore the town of Northleach with its interesting history and mechanical music mueseum, and Chedworth village with its Roman villa. Enjoy the great views, ancient woodlands and the pretty folds and villages of the tiny River Coln. Your next two nights are in Bibury, described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England.
Day 5: Bibury to Lechlade & back - Optional 22 miles (35km)
You might like a day out of the saddle to soak up the atmosphere in Bibury. But if you are keen to explore there's quite a ride ahead. The little Leach valley and its woods provide much of the route which takes in a working weaving mill, the Old Salt Way and thatched cottages with cosy village pubs. Enjoy too the market town of Lechlade where boats on the Thames can go no further and where you will wish to linger in antique stalls and tea shops before returning to Bibury.
Day 6: Bibury to Cirencester & Oxford - 21 miles (34km) or 33 miles (53km)
Amble along the Coln valley this morning before heading to Cirencester through the quiet villages of the Ampney Brook. Once a key town of Roman Britain, Cirencester is today the capital of the Cotswolds with a bustling high street and characterful craft workshops. A few miles along and you hop on a train back to Oxford and to your hotel. If you want to extend your cycle ride, you can pedal the last few miles into Oxford through historic Abingdon and along the River Thames. How glorious are these varied Cotswold valleys !
Day 7: Explore Oxford and Depart
Take time to explore all that Oxford has to offer and return your bike to our base at a time to suit you. Depart at leisure.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Range:
- £595 per person based on 2 people sharing a room for 7 days
Price Includes:
- Accommodation
- Breakfast every day during the tour
- Comfortable and impeccably serviced bikes
- The services of our friendly hosts to coordinate your travel and brief you on your route
- Emergency support provided by your host
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- A tour brochure
- Safeguarding of your payment
Price Does Not Include:
- Airfares
- Travel to and from the tour start and finish points
- Cycling helmets
- Entrances to attractions unless specified, boat trips, lunches, alcoholic beverages, mini bars and meals pre and post the tour
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
England
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
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