We enjoyed a wonderful week of cycling through the Cotswolds across rolling countryside, past beautiful farmlands and pastures filled with grazing sheep, through charming villages and past stately manor houses. This was my first ebike experience and the hills warranted the pedal assist. I would rate this route as moderate as many on the climbs were quite challenging for those on a road bike. Queen Elizabeth had just passed, and our excellent and resourceful guides, Kate Edmond and Conor Murphy, rearranged our itinerary for the Queen’s national day of mourning, providing a delicious picnic on the banks of Bourton-on-the-Water. For afternoon tea break, we enjoyed the Queen’s favorite, Victoria sponge! Stops included Blenheim Palace, Hidcote Gardens, Bath Roman Baths, and sites of the filming of Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. Bookending the cycling trip with the pre-and post-trip option of Oxford and Bath is recommended.
England
Cycling through the Cotswolds
Debby and Charlie, New York
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
A Gem
Terrific trip in every way. Routes, guides, scenery, bikes, group,.....even the weather, and despite English food. VBT did everything right.
Not So Pretty, New York, NY
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
Loved this trip!
Self-Guided tour with my friend, it was amazing, Ride-with-GPS was perfect, did not get lost anywhere. Ride Inn to Inn, picturesque villages, stone houses, just like Downtown Abbey. Felt very safe every day, Pubs and food were delicious. We had no problem with our bikes, it was a perfect trip! Note there was no leaders on this Self-Guided tour but the VBT local host that set up our bikes and make sure our luggage was delivered at every Inn was great, very helpful and friendly.
Silvy, Vermont
England: Oxford & the Cotswolds
Charming adventure in the Cotswold
We had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful Cotswold area of England on our self-guided VBT tour. The on-line road map was excellent and the bikes provided were in very good condition. VBT arranged our accommodations which were charming boutique hotels located in little towns with great coffee shops and restaurants.
Nicole Shimshock,
England: Oxford & the Cotswolds
Great trip through Lake District and Borderlands
Great trip for a sampling of the Lake District, Cumbria moors, and the Scottish borderlands. Hotels and meals were just right; riding routes were scenic and accessible with an electric bike for this 70+ rider with two recent knee replacements. Great group of guests, and the trip leaders were engaged, knowledgeable and responsive. We were the third group to take this new trip -- the itinerary and routes were tuned for the weather and the riders. It was great fun.
DougB, Michigan
England & Scotland: Lake District to Edinburgh
Up and Down
A Very wonderful trip and area of England to visit. The riding is lots of mountains and narrow roads, highly recommend an e~bike. The vistas and towns are Spectacular!
Ann Zownir,
England & Scotland: Lake District to Edinburgh
A Fantastic Trip
What a fantastic trip this was. This was my 6th time going to England, but my first for the Cotswold region and what an extraordinary time it was. The food was fantastic, everywhere you looked the views were spectacular. It was fantastic trip which I would do again in a heart beat.
Tasha, Vermont
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
Cream Tea, Charming Gardens, Lovely Walks
My husband and I did this self-guided tour in early September and absolutely loved it. Country Walkers did an impeccable job taking care of every detail--booking hotels, moving our suitcases between hotels, and, best of all, the "route notes" book was so detailed and had everything we needed from step-by-step directions and restaurant suggestions to history and ideas for things to do. It felt like a wonderful adventure following the famous paths through sheep pastures and little forest thickets, past gardens and ancient churches, and climbing over or around all the different gates. It was often overcast and misty in the mornings, but the mid-day sun burned it all away. Our highlights are choosing to stop for an hour to check out the Hailes Abbey Museum and rubbing elbows with some locals at the only pub in a tiny village. So many great memories! We liked the intimate experience of doing a self-guided trip and the independence (without the planning!) that it provided. We spent some extra days in London at the end of our trip...that was just icing on the cake.
Ashlea, South Burlington, VT
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
A beautiful experience!
In the company of my sister, who believed I could accomplish the walk, we embarked on what turned out to be a beautiful experience. We did it all. We had lovely landscapes, villages, walks, wonderful places to stay, food and most of all the English people. I want to do another trip very soon. June 2022
Kay M, Los Angeles, California
England: The Cotswolds
The best way to see England!
The experience of being outside everyday, walking in this beautiful part of England, and retiring to super comfy and well-located accommodation each evening, made this a Top 3 trip for me. I especially valued waking-up each morning knowing that the day's schedule was mine. Country Walkers had great recommendations for eating and visiting. The customized guidebook had all the information that I needed in one place. All details were taken care of. Thanks for making it so easy. A truly remarkable vacation, in a charming and welcoming part of the world.
CW Fan, Middlebury, Vermont
England: The Cotswolds
You won't want to leave!
This was a wonderful experience. To be outside enjoying the beautiful Cornwall coast, having the perfect CW guidebook in your hand, returning to your lovely hotel and a great meal. So much thought has gone into making this tour just right. I didn't do all the walks due to a foot problem (not blisters-I had great hiking boots) but did get to enjoy just walking around the villages, eating fish every day, chatting with the locals. Be sure to try a Cornish pasty! This is a self-guided tour and I hiked alone, which I prefer.
Bonnie,
England: The Cornwall Coast
Delightful and flexible
We have just returned from our trip to Cornwall, one of the most beautiful and unique world sites. We are a couple aged 87 and 80. We wish we would have hiked the area earlier but still so glad we did it. CW provided fabulous itinerary and hotels. We took the option of driving with our luggage to each site. We will also admit to shortening the hikes. But, no doubt, this is an exceptional trip and we loved it.
Mimi Berkshire, Peru, IN
England: The Cornwall Coast