Cotswolds to Coast England Cycle Tour
Discover the charm of England on this 11-day cycling journey from Oxford to the Cornish coast. Ride through the Cotswolds- rolling hills and timeless villages, visit historic sites like Blenheim Palace and Stratford-upon-Avon, and follow scenic trails into the Georgian city of Bath. Then head west to explore Devon and Cornwall, biking along estuaries, through moorlands, and along dramatic coastline. With handpicked routes, cozy inns, and shared group meals, this tour blends history, natural beauty, and local flavor into one unforgettable adventure.
Day 1: Oxford to Moreton on Marsh (30 miles)
We gather at Oxford railway station at 10am where we are our fitted with bikes and go over some pre-tour briefing. After this, we head into the countryside, passing picture-postcard villages and stopping to visit Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill's ancestral home and a World Heritage Site.
From here, you will pedal into the heart of the Cotswolds for your first night in the picturesque market town of Moreton-in-Marsh. We end a great day with a group Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Cotswolds/Stratford upon Avon (35 miles)
This morning we enjoy a stunning ride through the majestic countryside of the Cotswolds with a downhill cycle into Stratford upon Avon to visit the birthplace of Shakespeare. Our cycle back is along tiny country backraods with some ups and downs before spending a final evening in Moreton-in-Marsh.
Day 3: Burford (30 miles)
A beautiful cycle today to Daylesford, for coffee and enjoy the most impressive of farms. Then it is off to the Venice of the Cotswolds- Bourton-on-the-Water for our lunch stop. In the afternoon, we carry on to Burford, our town stay for the night. One of the Cotswolds most picturesque towns, Burford is renowned for its bustling high street and vibrant atmosphere.
Day 4: Tetbury (31 miles)
Our route today passes Cirencester, known as the Capital of Cotswolds, which was the second-largest Roman settlement after London. For those not minding extra mileage, Suzie would like to stop at a 4th century Roman Villa in Cheltenham. From here we are gently rolling through quiet valleys and passing gorgeous country villages, one of these to enjoy lunch. We stop for the night in Tetbury.
Day 5: Bath (30 miles)
Our route follows along an ancient Roman road from Tetbury to Bath -and popular as the number one cycling route in the Cotswolds. Follow peaceful countryside trails and woodland paths before joining the Kennet & Avon Canal, a scenic waterway leading directly into Bath.
As you cycle alongside the canal, the golden stone of Bath's Georgian architecture slowly comes into view, making for an unforgettable entrance into the city. Spend the afternoon exploring Bath's world-famous sights, including the Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.
Day 6: Devon
This morning after breakfast, we transfer you to North Devon, to begin the second half of your cycling adventure. The journey will take around 3 hours by coach and you will have the rest of the day at leisure, to relax and take in your surroundings, take a hike or short cycle.
Day 7: Hatherleigh (30 miles)
Joining the Tarka Trail, named after the Henry Williamson famous 1927 novel, Tarka the Otter. We cycle along the stunning Taw and Torridge estuaries via Bideford and Great Torrington. Stopping at a quirky railway-station-turned-cafe for lunch, we then pick up the Tarka Trail again and bike along converted railway lines to Hatherleigh. One of Devon's smallest but liveliest towns, we check in here to The George Inn, enjoying the second of our group meals together.
Day 8: Tavistock (35 miles)
Starting north of Okehampton, we take a slight detour up to Dartmoor, where we will be treated to stunning views and a magical atmosphere. After your stop for lunch in the charming market town of Chagford, we cycle high onto the moors and ride all the way into Tavistock. The only town in Devon to hold World Heritage status, we stop here for the night. Just remember while in Devon to put cream on the scone before jam!
Day 9: Padstow (20-25 miles)
Our final day in Devon takes us on Drakes Trail, a mostly downhill ride into Plymouth, where we visit the place from which the Founding Fathers set out for America in 1620. We then head by boat into Cornwall coast and train north to the estuary town of Padstow, our home for the next two nights.
Day 10: Riding the Coast (35 miles)
Today's route will explore the breathtaking coast and locations made famous by Poldark and Doc Martin, before spending our final night together in Padstow.
Tonight we celebrate a wonderful tour with a group farewell dinner at our Inn's restaurant.
Day 11: Farewell to a wonderful tour!
After breakfast we transfer to the train for London.
- 10 nights/double occupancy in typical English lodging
- luggage transfer
- Breakfast each morning and 4 group dinners
- 1-2 walking tours with local guide
- 4 excursions TBD and include sights such as the roman baths and Shakespeare Birthplace
- Transfers from Cotswolds to England Coast and transfer at end of trip to Bodmin Parkway train station. Train fares not included in tour price.
- Suzie as guide and host, and friend, Glenn, as sweep and mechanic
- All participants get GPS routing if they want to ride independently
- Bicycle rental (note that e-bikes are $240 additional for 10 days)
Trip Difficulty
This tour is rated moderate, meaning it’s appropriate for guests with good cycling ability, who enjoy lightly rolling terrain with an incline or two. Please note that to really discover Cotswolds and the Coast we need to average 30 miles per day with a final long day of 40 and, if you elect to go to Shakespeare's Stratford Upon Avon, also a 40-mile day.
We suggest those folks who want an easier cycling experience to request an ebike for this tour.
Suzie is on route as ride leader and averaging 10-12 mph on a non electric bike, stopping along the route for photos, coffee breaks, excursion visits, etc. All guests are given a Ride with GPS routing one week before the tour with which you can self-guide via your mobile phone.
Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances we have the right to change the route for our guests's comfort and safety.
Transportation
Your trip starts in Oxford which is easily accessible via a direct 1-hour train journey out of London, Paddington. London Paddington can be easily accessible from Heathrow Airport via the Heathrow Express.
Our trip ends in Padstow when you will be transfered to the Bodmin Parkway train station to catch your train back to London.
As with all European trips, we advise our cyclists to arrive a few days early to acclimate to the time change, get acquainted with the new culture and sightsee beautiful London and Oxford.
Not included in the tour price but suggested is to book a room the night prior to our tour start in Oxford. Suzie will treat those that arrive the night before with a guided tour of Oxford.Additional Information
We confirm your booking via email with a detailed Welcome Letter for your tour. In this letter you will find lots of pre-trip planning information like how to get to the trip start, pre-trip lodging in London, weather, cycling in England, how and what to pack, international travel hints, etc.
Suzie always asks that you contact her with questions or for help she can give you with your travel plans. Please visit our Trip Info page for more information!
Please E-mail Suzie to inquire about openings and with any questions about this tour. We love to hear from you!