England: Bath & the Cotswolds
Guided Biking
- Daily Mileage: 10-42 miles|
- Biking: 1-5 hours|
Starting From
9-day Air Package
$5,895
6-day Bike Tour Only
$4,595
Per person, double occupancy
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
There’s no need to hurry through England’s Cotswolds—this well-paced cycling vacation gives you plenty of time to savor the journey. From the moment you meet your local trip leaders, you’ll feel right at home in this bucolic countryside of rose gardens, thatched-roof cottages, and green meadows dotted with white lambs. Spin past quaint market towns—perhaps pausing to quaff a pint of ale in an authentic British pub. Explore 12th century colleges in Oxford and visit Blenheim Palace—the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Come home to hotels dripping with Cotswolds charm—including a 15th century weaver’s cottage in Burford—and a 16th century manor house in Moreton-on-Marsh.
Tour Highlights
- Enter the world of Downton Abbey in Bampton, its stand-in on the beloved PBS series.
- Explore the gardens and staterooms of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Cycle through a classic English countryside of sheep-dotted pastures, woodlands, market towns, tiny hamlets, and thatched-cottage villages.
- Experience the charms of Bourton-on-the-Water, called the “Venice of the Cotswolds” for its graceful arched stone bridges.
- Probe the region’s Roman heritage on a 2,000-year-old cycling route and end at the ancient ruins in Bath.
Positive Impact
VBT is proud to support The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a donation on behalf of each guest on this tour. The Cotswolds is the largest recognized Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England. These countryside areas are a family of protected natural parks and landscapes designated for conservation. The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty works toward upkeeping the Cotswold Way National Trail, creating wildflower-rich Grasslands, and leading tree planting and biodiversity enhancement projects.
What to Expect
This tour offers a combination of easy terrain mixed with moderate hills, mainly on quiet country roads. Our VBT support vehicle is always available for those who need assistance with the hills. Ideal for enthusiastic beginners to experienced cyclists.
- Daily Mileage: 10-42 miles|
- Biking: 1-5 hours|
- Group Size: 20
Cyclists
Support
Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):
May61º/46º
Jun64º/52º
Jul68º/55º
Aug68º/55º
Sep63º/52º
Oct55º/46º
Average
Precipitation:
May1.7 in
Jun1.7 in
Jul1.5 in
Aug1.6 in
Sep1.8 in
Oct2.3 in
Air Package |
Tour Only |
|
---|---|---|
Roundtrip international airfare |
||
Airport car service for arrival and departure |
||
One night in Oxford in a conveniently located hotel with daily breakfast |
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5 nights in small country estates |
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9 meals: 5 breakfasts. 1 lunch, 3 dinners |
Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
See More >Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
See More >Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
See More >Biking Packages Include:
Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
Support Vehicle
Luggage Transportation
Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
Welcome Reception
Facilitated Cultural Experiences
Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure
Accommodations (Please Note: Days are based on the Air Package Itinerary. Accommodations may vary depending on departure date. )
Enjoy Your Vacation Longer With Low-Cost Trip Extensions
Air Package Only
2024 Pre-Trip Extension - Oxford
1 Nights From
$295
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
- 1 night at the voco Oxford Spires Hotel
- Airport car service for arrival
- Daily breakfast
- City information
Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.
A VBT representative will greet you at the London airport to start your adventure off right. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel in Oxford. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
voco Oxford Spires Hotel
With its lovely location beside the Thames River and amid a lovely parkland, the voco Oxford Spires Hotel is a comfortable haven from which to explore the City of Spires. Cotswolds stone and plush yet elegant interiors combine throughout to create a truly welcoming space of understated luxury. Modern amenities mingle seamlessly with traditional touches in this air-conditioned hotel. Deacon’s Restaurant promises fine cuisine prepared with ingredients sourced from the Oxfordshire countryside, while the bar and lounge—and an outdoor terrace—offer a casual atmosphere for relaxing over a drink or a spot of tea. Each comfortable room is accented with a warmth and décor inspired by the English countryside.
Air Package Only
2024 Post-Trip Extension - Bath
1 Nights From
$245
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
- 1 night at the Francis Hotel
- Airport car service for departure
- Daily breakfast
- City information
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation to London Heathrow Airport will be provided (an approximately two-hour drive, depending on traffic) for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Francis Hotel Bath
Located in the heart of the storied city of Bath with views of historic Queen Square, the air-conditioned Francis Hotel exudes Georgian sophistication. The plush armchairs and period furnishings of the beautiful 18th-century townhouse lend this fine hotel an elegant authenticity. Even the Beatles were lured here by its refined elegance; they were guests in 1963. During your stay, you may take afternoon tea in the Tea Room, enjoy a cocktail in the bar, and savor a meal at the Brasserie Blanc, the onsite French-themed restaurant.
My husband and I highly recommend the bicycling tour of England, Bath and the Cotswolds hosted by VBT. Our guides were brilliant, very knowledgeable of the area history, and especially mindful of all the nuances of our gorgeous route. We were safe, well cared for, and informed. Hattie, a champion cyclist, not only was a great coach of e-bike techniques, but also able to repair bikes on site if needed. Jago was brilliant with stories, history, and nuggets of interesting information as well as funny jokes. Hotels were comfortable and food provided was over the top! We certainly missed all the three course meals once back in the states. The tour included lots of must sees, including the Downton Abbey mile, tickets to Blenheim Palace and the Roman Baths. We recommend an e-bike for most enjoyment for those 60+ years old. The rolling hills of the Cotswolds are stunning!
Brilliant! A must go tour!
Great guides and food. Beautiful hotels. Scenery incredible. Riding just hard enough.
Great!
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