
England: Oxford & the Cotswolds
Self-Guided Biking
- Daily Mileage: 12-27 miles|
- Biking: 2-4 hours|
Starting From
8-day Air Package
$4,045
5-day Bike Tour Only
$2,945
Per person, double occupancy
England: Oxford & the Cotswolds
If you’re looking for a self-guided biking tour of England’s charming Cotswolds region, this unique VBT tour is the best (and only!) game in town. From the moment you meet your English VBT local host, you’ll experience the confidence of 24/7 support with plenty of room to design your own pace of discovery. With our deep British roots, we’ve already done the research for you—finding top hotels and scenic cycling routes that showcase the charm of England’s quaint villages. VBT’s detailed route notes guide you towards the splendor of Blenheim Palace and show you how to tread in the footsteps of the Bard in Stratford-Upon-Avon—all while discovering top restaurants, adorable shops, and authentic local pubs along the way. Your well-maintained, fitted VBT bike—with puncture-resistance tires—ensures your adventure is comfortable, fun, and worry-free.
Tour Highlights
- Cycle the rural country lanes of the Cotswolds into cottage-lined villages that have not changed for centuries.
- Indulge in traditional and modern English fare—full English breakfasts, afternoon teas, pub lunches, and farm-to-fork dining.
- Pedal past filming locations of numerous television series such as Downton Abbey, Endeavour, and Inspector Morse.
Positive Impact
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. VBT is delighted to support the effort to keep this area well-preserved on behalf of every guest on tour. Each donation goes toward ensuring that the Cotswolds’ stunning qualities will be enjoyed by visitors for centuries to come.
What to Expect
The England self-guided biking tour is rated easy to moderate. It offers a combination of easy terrain and moderate hills and is ideal for beginning and experienced cyclists. Rides are on designated bike routes that are quiet country roads with a small percentage of the total on dedicated bike paths. The traffic will be somewhat busier when entering and exiting larger towns. Routes on the England self-guided biking tour follow flat river valleys and then ascend to rolling hills. Please verify your bike selection for this tour as it is not always possible to change bikes once you arrive on tour. Travel with your friends and family—we can accommodate multiple guests on this self-guided vacation. Our 24/7 support system is available as needed.
- Daily Mileage: 12-27 miles|
- Biking: 2-4 hours|
Cyclists
System
Ideal for active beginners to more experienced riders.
- Average Daily Mileage: 18-32 mi.
- Average Daily Cycling Time: Up to 4 hrs.
- Average Daily Elevation gain: Up to 2200 feet.
Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):
May72º/49º
Jun79º/56º
Jul79º/59º
Aug81º/61º
Sep75º/55º
Oct63º/47º
Average
Precipitation:
May2.8 in
Jun2.5 in
Jul1.5 in
Aug2.6 in
Sep2.2 in
Oct2.7 in
Air Package |
Tour Only |
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Roundtrip international airfare |
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Detailed information for your independent travel to/from arrival and departure airports |
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One night in Moreton-in-Marsh and Oxford in conveniently located hotels with daily breakfast |
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4 nights in charming in-town hotels |
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4 meals: 4 breakfasts |
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Puncture-protected Tires |
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Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
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Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
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Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
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Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
See More >Self-Guided Biking Packages Include:
Custom VBT bike with puncture-protected tires
Welcome orientation and bike fitting
Luggage transportation
Ride with GPS and daily route notes
VBT Road Book with destination information
24/7 emergency support from Local host
Helmet, bike bag, and tool kit
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. )

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.
Loved this trip!
The Cotswolds are beautiful, and often when cycling through the quiet, small villages you feel you've stepped back in time. We were able to take our time at a couple of wonderful gardens along the route. The trip should be rated more accurately as moderate, not easy. There are some serious hills. There were some initial glitches with the starting point of the self-guided trip. The hotel we were supposed to meet at, according to the written guide, was not the correct hotel, and when we asked about storing our bags there while we rode, they had no idea what we were talking about. We were not offered a "warm-up ride" as with guided trips, and I found my bike was not fitted well for me after a short time, and had to complete the first day with an uncomfortable fit. The local rep took care of it the next day by adding a stem to the bars. One of the hotels had a lot of character but no air conditioning, and the room was very small. In spite of these issues, overall we had a memorable trip cycling through the Cotswolds.
Cycling back in time, with a few bumps in the road
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