Luxury Cotswolds - Biking
Country
England
Region
Cotswolds
Theme
Classic
7
Days
6
Nights
Accommodation
5*
A graceful ride through England’s most storied countryside.
Quiet lanes stitched together by ancient hedgerows, honey coloured villages that feel lifted from a painting, and days shaped around elegant cycling, exceptional food, and hotels that know exactly how to look after you. This is our luxury biking tour of the Cotswolds. We begin in Oxford, the city of dreaming spires, and end in the footsteps of the Romans in Bath. With every mile in between curated for flow, beauty, and those small moments that make a journey linger in the memory. Designed to be ridden at a relaxed pace, this is a luxury biking tour that feels effortless, sociable, and of course, deeply English.
Highlights
- A private introduction to Oxford before the crowds arrive
- Gentle Cotswold cycling on quiet lanes and historic routes
- Broadway Tower picnic with views across five counties
- Blenheim Palace by bike, arriving as few ever do
- Downton Abbey filming locations woven into a scenic loop
- Roman roads, Roman towns, and a seamless ride into Bath
- Handpicked hotels that elevate every arrival and return
Handpicked Accommodation
The Queensberry Hotel, Bath
An award-winning townhouse hotel blending Georgian elegance with contemporary design. Expect thoughtful touches, warm hospitality from all you meet and an excellent restaurant.
Why we chose it
Set in it’s Georgian Townhouse, The Queensberry illustrates how an independent, boutique hotel experience should be.
The Close Hotel, Tetbury
A classic country house hotel set on the edge of Tetbury with gardens and generous spaces.
Why we chose it
Dating back to the 16th century, this venue is dripping with history.
The Baytree, Burford
Character leads the way at The Baytree. Antiques, bold colours, and individually styled rooms create a house that feels lived in rather than staged.
Why we chose it
The Baytree offers an experience that feels genuinely human rather than formulaic.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Oxford to the Cotswolds
The journey begins in Oxford, where dreaming spires and cobbled lanes set the tone. We meet in the morning for a gentle walking tour, introducing the city’s stories, colleges (the university is the oldest in the English-speaking world, with teaching dating back to 1096) and hidden corners before sitting down to lunch together. From here, we transfer into the Cotswold countryside, arriving in Moreton in Marsh where your bikes are waiting. A short introductory loop eases you into Cotswold riding, with rolling lanes, stone walls, and your first taste of the landscape ahead. This evening is about settling in, fine food, and great company.
Day 2 – A Cotswold cycling classic
Today’s loop is a Cotswold classic. We ride through Chipping Campden, gateway to the Cotswolds, before weaving through the Upper and Lower Slaughters and on to Bourton on the Water, often called the Venice of the Cotswolds. Lunch is a highlight, enjoyed near Broadway Tower with sweeping views across the countryside. Few biking days will beat this one! We return to Moreton in Marsh with time to enjoy the gardens and the rhythm of country house life.
Day 3 – Blenheim Palace to Burford
We leave Moreton behind, cycling towards Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of Britain’s great stately homes and birthplace of a certain Sir Winston Churchill. Arriving at the palace by bike is the best way, like slipping in the back door. After lunch, we continue on gentle roads towards Burford, its sloping high street revealing itself as we roll in. Two nights here allow you to really stretch out and relax.
Day 4 – Downton Country
A relaxed loop today takes us through Northleach, Bibury, and Bampton. Fans of Downton Abbey will recognise Bampton instantly, but even without the screen fame, the village is a joy. Bibury’s Arlington Row is one of the most photographed scenes in England, and arriving by bike allows you to enjoy it before the day trippers arrive. We return to Burford for another evening of good food and shared stories from the road.
Day 5 – Roman Roads to Tetbury
Heading south, we follow an ancient Roman road, their arrow-straight direct routes still shaping the land today. We pause in Cirencester, once known as Corinium, second only to London in Roman Britain – its museum houses some of the finest mosaics ever discovered in the UK. After lunch, the ride continues on beautifully flowing country lanes into Tetbury, where a new hotel and a new chapter of the journey awaits.
Day 6 – Castle Combe to Bath
The final ride is a showstopper. We pass through Castle Combe, often described as one of England’s prettiest villages, before joining the canal path for a gentle, traffic free approach into Bath. Finishing a cycling journey like this, rolling directly into a World Heritage city, feels wonderfully satisfying. The afternoon is yours to explore Bath’s crescents, shops, and Roman history at your own pace.
Day 7 – Farewells and onward travel
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. Bath invites lingering, and we are happy to shape an extension, perhaps a day trip to Stonehenge or a seamless journey on to London. An English adventure can always continue.
Itinerary Designer
We designed this one carefully. The right roads, the right pauses, the right hotels.
Harvey
Featured Experience
Ride to Broadway Tower
Early in the journey, we climb gently towards Broadway Tower, one of the highest points in the Cotswolds. The views are sublime and the coffee isn’t bad either! Cycling away from the tower, the route flows downhill through storybook villages.