
England: Oxford & the Cotswolds
Self-Guided Biking
- Daily Mileage: 12 - 27 miles|
- Biking: 2 - 4 hours
Starting From
8-day Air Package
$4,445
5-day Bike Tour Only
$3,245
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.
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
Cycling
Cyclists
System
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 |
|
---|---|---|
Roundtrip international airfare | ||
Detailed information for your independent travel to/from arrival and departure airports | ||
One night in Moreton-in-Marsh and Oxford in conveniently located hotels with daily breakfast | ||
4 nights in charming in-town hotels | ||
4 meals: 4 breakfasts | ||
Puncture-protected Tires |

Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
See More >
Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
See More >
Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >Activity Chart for England: Oxford & the Cotswolds
Tour Day | Choose Your Route Option | Miles per Option | Hours per Option** | Feet Gain per Option** | Activity Level |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ride | 19 | 02:00 | 1200 | easy |
2 | Ride | 18 | 01:45 | 1200 | easy |
3 | Ride | 24 | 02:30 | 1200 | easy |
4 | Ride | 27 | 03:30 | 1200 | easy |
5 | Ride | 13 | 01:15 | 200 | easy |
**Route mileage, hours and gain are approximate.
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
Itinerary
Fri, May 17 to Fri, May 24 - 2024
Show Itinerary:
Depart home for England. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.
Upon arrival at the London Heathrow Airport, make your own independent travel arrangements to your centrally located hotel in Oxford. For details, refer to your VBT Handbook.
Aside from London, Oxford is undoubtedly England’s most recognizable city, famous the world over for its prestigious university, the oldest in the English-speaking world. Wander the network of cobbled lanes lined with noble buildings, some over 800 years old. Ascend St. Martin’s Tower, also called “CarfaxTower,” for sweeping views of the city’s rooftops and soaring spires. Visit some of the college buildings, such as Christ Church College where you’ll find the Tudor dining hall which provided inspiration for the Great Hall at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. A tour of Oxford’s castle will open the door to stories dating back 1,000 years. For a taste of more recent history, browse the stalls of the historic Covered Market, open since 1774.
Meet your VBT Local host at 9:00 a.m., along with any other VBT guests arriving on the same day, for your Welcome Orientation in your hotel lobby. Please be dressed and ready for cycling. Your Local host will be carrying a VBT sign.
Set out on your England self-guided biking tour into the bucolic landscape of the Cotswolds! You will cycle out of Oxford on bike lanes and along the lovely Oxford Canal towpath. Another dedicated bike lane leads you into the serene countryside. Take your time and enjoy these vistas, the essence of rural England. Your route soon leads to the glorious Baroque Blenheim Palace, a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site with extensive landscaped grounds and gardens designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century. The name most famously associated with the palace is Winston Churchill—this was his birthplace. You’ll surely want to have lunch here in the café or the Orangery. Afterwards, you may want to stroll the magnificent public grounds or tour the palace’s interior (at your own expense).
Inspired by your brush with English nobility, continue your England self-guided biking tour on more lovely roads to Daylesford, where an upmarket Cotswolds organic farm shop and café might tempt you into another break. Pass through the charming villages of Churchill and Kingham before arriving in the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh in the North Cotswolds. You will settle in here for two nights. There are ample dinner options for an evening on your own, either in town or at your hotel. If you plan to dine at the hotel’s fine-dining establishment, making reservations upon your arrival is highly recommended.
Today’s Ride Choices
Oxford to Moreton-in-Marsh via Blenheim — 35.5 miles
What to Expect:
Depart along the Oxford Canal towpath (packed dirt) to a dedicated paved bike lane that parallels a somewhat busy road for 7 miles. Then transition to narrow, paved, low traffic country lanes to the town of Woodstock and the expansive grounds of Blenheim Palace. After departing Blenheim Palace, continue on a rolling descent past Chadlington and then descend gently into the center of the town of Moreton-in-Marsh.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today is a Stay Put Day brimming with possibilities. The route on your England self-guided biking tour leads you to some of the most charming roads and bike paths in the North Cotswolds. Begin with a scenic spin to the historic wool market town of Chipping Campden, home to the quirky “Cotswold Olimpicks,” an annual celebration of sport and mirth that features competitions such as tug of war, shin-kicking, and piano smashing. The hamlet is also celebrated for its Market Hall, built in 1627, its honey-hued limestone buildings, and its long tradition of arts and crafts. Then, continue to the village of Hidcote Bartrim and the landscaped Hidcote Gardens. Its series of outdoor “rooms” were designed by American horticulturalist Major Lawrence Johnston in the early 20th century and its pathways are lined with topiary, stone walls, and hornbeam.
Next, continue your England self-guided biking tour while cycling along a revitalized rail trail, bound for Stratford-upon-Avon, the hometown of an artist of quite another sort—William Shakespeare. In this pretty city, dotted with timber-framed houses that evoke Old England, you can visit the playwright’s homes (Hall’s Croft, Nash’s House, and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage among them), the church where he is buried, and the famous Royal Shakespeare Company and its theatre. En route back to the hotel, it is worth stopping at the delightful Ebrington Arms, voted English Pub of the Year in 2018.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton-in-Marsh to Stratford-upon-Avon to Moreton-in-Marsh — 41.7 miles
What to Expect:
We suggest an early start in order to enjoy all day has to offer. Departing Moreton-in-Marsh, you will immediately cycle into a countryside of rolling pastures, copses, and charming villages. After ascending to Hidcote Gardens, the route descends into a valley and onto a rail-trail, shared-use path (walkers, cyclists, horseback riders) all the way to Stratford-upon-Avon. Depart Stratford-upon-Avon on the same route until just outside of Ebrington, continuing to Aston Magna to rejoin the morning route and make a final descent from Batsford to Moreton-in-Marsh.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You will depart Moreton-in-Marsh and ride again through Chipping Campden, but from there you will head to Broadway Tower. This 18th-century “folly” was commissioned by Lady Coventry of Worcester. Capability Brown, the designer of the grounds at Blenheim Palace, had a role in this extravagance, too. As you continue your England self-guided biking tour, you’ll enjoy expansive views of 16 counties and as far as Wales from atop this “beacon hill,” the second highest point in the Cotswolds. You’ll continue through the lavender fields of Snowshill, the hamlets of Upper and Lower Slaughter with an old mill and river, and into the beguiling village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” this pretty town spreads over a wide, flat vale and is graced by the River Windrush and its five quaint stone bridges, the oldest one dating back to 1654.
From there, you will ride an uphill route from Bourton-on-the-Water before coasting down into the Windrush Valley, known locally as “happy valley.” Your England self-guided biking tour traverses the grounds of Sherborne Estate, England’s only remaining 17th-century deer course and grandstand (where live deer were used as “incentives” for dog races) and leads to Burford. This former wool town boasts a medieval bridge and old stone houses with Tudor and Georgian facades. After settling in to your hotel, you’ll find options for dinner in town or at your inn. If you plan to dine at the hotel’s fine-dining establishment, reservations are highly recommended upon arrival.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton to Burford — 36.4 miles
What to Expect:
You depart Moreton-in-Marsh along High Street and are soon cycling little-trafficked country roads past pastureland and into one pretty village after another, including Snowshill and the Slaughters. A gradual descent leads into Bourton-on-the-Water, a good stopping point for a late lunch or snack. Your afternoon ride has one significant hill followed by an easy descent into Burford.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You will depart Burford on slightly rolling terrain to Bibury. This utterly charming village is best known for its Arlington Row, a cluster of slate-roofed stone cottages and gardens that have become a national symbol of England. This picturesque little district is so enchanting that Henry Ford had the audacious idea to ship the village in its entirety to the United States! From Bibury, your England self-guided biking tour will take you through other villages and hamlets, seemingly untouched by modern development, into Sapperton, the tiny village that played a large role in the mid-19th century Arts and Crafts movement that started in England in response to a perceived decline in decorative arts. You might enjoy a lunch break at The Bell, a hospitable and traditional English pub that has won awards for its fresh homemade fare.
Afterwards, continue your England self-guided biking tour on a mostly downhill route, entering the town where the estate of Prince Charles at Highgrove is located. His gardens are open for tours, so you can explore if you wish. (Check the website for dates. It is suggested that you make reservations well in advance.) The center of Tetbury was central to the wool and yarn trade. If you love antiquing, Tetbury is the place to find an ideal piece in one of the many bric à brac shops. Purchases at the Highgrove Estate shop support the Prince’s charities. Dinner options are available at the hotel or in town.
Today’s Ride Choices
Burford to Tetbury — 34.7 miles
What to Expect:
Ride quiet rolling and bucolic rural terrain with some fairly noticeable ascents and descents until the town of Sapperton, where we recommend lunch at the inviting Bell pub. From there, the route mainly descends to the charming town of Tetbury.
Included Meals: Breakfast
We recommend departing Tetbury early to give yourself ample time to explore Bath, the final destination on your England self-guided biking tour. You will spend much of the morning following the Fosse Way, a 2,000-year-old Roman road that rolls through stunning, untouched countryside. It’s believed that this route was originally a defensive ditch, dug by Romans to mark and protect the western boundary of the empire. Even today, engineers marvel at the straight-line Roman builders were able to achieve for a full 182 miles. You’ll ride a much shorter segment, culminating in an exhilarating descent to the 200-year-old Kennet and Avon Canal. Tracing the canal, you pass the Sydney Gardens, the only surviving 18th-century pleasure gardens in England. At their height, they were used daily for long walks, fairs, and public breakfasts. Jane Austen was among the locals who enjoyed the blooms and pathways. Then, follow a street showcasing the 18th-century stone buildings for which the city is known.
If you arrive in Bath by lunchtime, you’ll have many options for your meal, or perhaps afternoon tea in the Grand Pump Room, adjacent to the Roman Baths Museum. You might also tour Jane Austen’s house. Be sure to save time to stroll along the Royal Crescent, a row of 30 terraced houses considered the finest example of Georgian architecture in England.
This evening, celebrate your Cotswolds experience in style at your plush hotel, perfectly situated in the heart of the city, where there is no end to inviting shops, world-class restaurants, and lively pubs. If you plan on dining at the Francis Hotel’s restaurant, Monsieur Blanc, reservations are highly recommended.
Today’s Ride Choices
Tetbury to Bath — 28.4 miles
What to Expect:
Follow the Fosse Way along fairly even terrain until you descend and ascend across three dips, passing many farms and trailheads. Please be mindful that you will be sharing the route with cars and horseback riders. Enjoy a final descent to the paved canal towpath and follow it into the center of Bath. We recommend walking your bike for the final half mile through Bath’s pedestrian streets, just before the Pulteney Bridge at the end of Great Pulteney Street. Once in Bath, we strongly recommend riding directly to the Francis Hotel to store your bike before exploring the city.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast, you have the day to explore the city of Bath or its surroundings, visiting some spots you may have missed yesterday. For sweeping views of the city and the Roman baths, climb the tower of Bath Abbey. Inside, admire the scalloped vaulted ceiling and fantastic stained glass behind the altar. Stop by No. 1 Royal Crescent to learn more about England’s most famous row of houses and their 18th-century architect, John Wood the Younger. Browse the decorative arts collection at the Holburne Museum or the paintings at the Victoria Art Gallery. Venture farther afield to marvel at the mysterious standing stones at Stonehenge, sample the namesake cheeses of the village of Cheddar, or uncover the histories of Wells, Glastonbury, and Bradford-on-Avon. See visitbath.co.uk and your VBT city information for all the options.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, allow yourself a minimum of five hours prior to your flight departure to get to London Heathrow Airport; for details, refer to your England self-guided biking tour VBT Handbook. This timeframe includes approximately two hours of travel and around three hours of recommended pre-flight check-in time.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Depart home for England. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed in your flight itinerary.
Arrive at London Heathrow and travel to Moreton-in-Marsh.
Upon arrival at the London Airport, make your own travel arrangements to Moreton-in-Marsh. For details, refer to your VBT Handbook.
Meet your VBT Local host at 11:00 a.m. and any other VBT guests arriving on the same day for your Welcome Orientation in your hotel lobby. Please be dressed and ready for cycling. Your Local host will be carrying a VBT sign.
Set out on your England self-guided biking tour into the bucolic landscape of the Cotswolds! Take your time and enjoy these vistas, the essence of rural England. Stop to explore a National Trust House, the Chastleton House, with over 400 years of history. Continue your England self-guided biking tour on more lovely roads to Daylesford, where an organic farm shop and café might tempt you into another break.
You will settle in here for two nights. There are ample dining options for an evening on your own, either in town or at your hotel. If you plan to dine at the hotel’s fine-dining establishment, making reservations upon your arrival is highly recommended.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton-in-Marsh Loop — 18.9
What to Expect:
Ride out of Moreton-in-Marsh with a possible stop at the Red Line in Little Compton (at 7 mi) and continue with a suggested stop at the Chastleton Trust House (at 8 mi). Continue to Daylesford, suggested later lunch stop at Daylesford Farm Shop (at 12.5 mi). Loop back to Moreton-in-Marsh. Descend gently into the center of the town of Moreton-in-Marsh.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today is a Stay Put Day brimming with possibilities. The route on your England self-guided biking tour leads you to some of the most charming roads and bike paths in the North Cotswolds. Begin with a scenic spin to the historic wool market town of Chipping Campden, home to the quirky “Cotswold Olimpicks,” an annual celebration of sport and mirth that features competitions such as tug of war, shin-kicking, and piano smashing. The hamlet is also celebrated for its Market Hall, built in 1627, its honey-hued limestone buildings, and its long tradition of arts and crafts. You’ll ride through Broad Campden, known for its topiaries filled with thatched cottages.
Then, continue to the village of Hidcote Bartrim and the landscaped Hidcote Gardens. Its series of outdoor “rooms” were designed by American horticulturalist Major Lawrence Johnston in the early 20th century and its pathways are lined with topiary, stone walls, and hornbeam. En route back to the hotel, it is worth stopping at the delightful Ebrington Arms, voted English Pub of the Year in 2018.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton-in-Marsh to Hidcote Gardens Loop — 18.6 miles
What to Expect:
We suggest an early start in order to enjoy all day has to offer. Departing Moreton-in-Marsh, you will immediately cycle into a countryside of rolling pastures, copses, and charming villages. After ascending to Hidcote Gardens make your return trip through Ebrington, continuing your England self-guided biking tour to Aston Magna where you rejoin the morning route and make a final descent from Batsford to Moreton-in-Marsh.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You will depart Moreton-in-Marsh riding to Lower Slaughter with an old mill and river, and into the beguiling village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” this pretty town spreads over a wide, flat vale and is graced by the River Windrush and its five quaint stone bridges, the oldest one dating back to 1654.
From there, you will ride an uphill route from Bourton-on-the-Water before coasting down into the Windrush Valley, known locally as “happy valley.” Your England self-guided biking tour traverses the grounds of Sherborne Estate, England’s only remaining 17th-century deer course and grandstand (where live deer were used as “incentives” for dog races) and leads to Burford. This former wool town boasts a medieval bridge and old stone houses with Tudor and Georgian facades. After settling in to your hotel, you’ll find options for dinner in town or at your inn. If you plan to dine at the hotel’s fine-dining establishment, reservations are highly recommended upon arrival.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton-in-Marsh to Burford — 24 miles
What to Expect:
You depart Moreton-in-Marsh along High Street and are soon cycling little-trafficked country roads past pastureland and into one pretty village after another. A gradual descent leads into Bourton-on-the-Water, a good stopping point for a late lunch or snack. Your afternoon ride has one significant hill followed by an easy descent into Burford.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You will depart Burford on slightly rolling terrain to Bibury. This utterly charming village is best known for its Arlington Row, a cluster of slate-roofed stone cottages and gardens that have become a national symbol of England. This picturesque little district is so enchanting that Henry Ford had the audacious idea to ship the village in its entirety to the United States! From Bibury, your England self-guided biking tour will take you through other villages and hamlets, seemingly untouched by modern development.
Dinner options are available at the hotel or in town.
Today’s Ride Choices
Burford to Bibury Loop — 26.8 miles
What to Expect:
Ride quiet rolling and bucolic rural terrain. Ride back along the Windrush Valley to Northleach, and head down Bibury (at 15.8 miles). Suggested lunch stop in Bibury at The Trout Farm and then return back to Burford.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today is your last day cycling! Enjoy today’s route from Burford to Bampton. Your guide will be at your hotel at 8:30 am to meet you, collect your luggage, and confirm your last day’s itinerary. Your cycle route to Bampton is relatively flat while meandering through Cotswold villages. Your Local host will assist you with collecting your equipment, meeting you in the Market Square, and shuttling you direct to your Oxford hotel.
Aside from London, Oxford is undoubtedly England’s most recognizable city, famous the world over for its prestigious university, the oldest in the English-speaking world. Wander the network of cobbled lanes lined with noble buildings, some over 800 years old. Ascend St. Martin’s Tower, also called “CarfaxTower,” for sweeping views of the city’s rooftops and soaring spires. Visit some of the college buildings, such as Christ Church College where you’ll find the Tudor dining hall which provided inspiration for the Great Hall at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. A tour of Oxford’s castle will open the door to stories dating back 1,000 years. For a taste of more recent history, browse the stalls of the historic Covered Market, open since 1774.
Today’s Ride Choices
Burford to Bampton — 12.6
What to Expect:
Riding out of Burford, you start with a short ascent, but then have a generally rolling ride, mainly descending through pastures and small villages on narrow lanes, as the route flattens out for about the last five miles to Bampton, where you ride past Saint Mary’s church, the filming location for “the church scenes” in Downton Abbey.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, allow yourself a minimum of five hours prior to your flight departure to get to London Heathrow Airport; for details, refer to your England self-guided biking tour VBT Handbook. This timeframe includes approximately two hours of travel and around three hours of recommended pre-flight check-in time.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Sun, May 19 to Thu, May 23 - 2024
Show Itinerary:
We suggest arriving in England at least one day prior to the tour start date since your tour begins at 9:00 a.m. You will need to make your own travel arrangements to Oxford. For details, refer to your VBT Handbook.
Meet your VBT Local host at 9:00 a.m., along with any other VBT guests arriving on the same day, for your Welcome Orientation in the lobby of the voco Oxford Spires Hotel (Abingdon Road, +44 01865 324 324). Please be dressed and ready for cycling. Your Local host will be carrying a VBT sign.
Set out on your England self-guided biking tour into the bucolic landscape of the Cotswolds! You will cycle out of Oxford on bike lanes and along the lovely Oxford Canal towpath. Another dedicated bike lane leads you into the serene countryside. Take your time and enjoy these vistas, the essence of rural England. Your route soon leads to the glorious Baroque Blenheim Palace, a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site with extensive landscaped grounds and gardens designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century. The name most famously associated with the palace is Winston Churchill—this was his birthplace. You’ll surely want to have lunch here in the café or the Orangery. Afterwards, you may want to stroll the magnificent public grounds or tour the palace’s interior (at your own expense).
Inspired by your brush with English nobility, continue your England self-guided biking tour on more lovely roads to Daylesford, where an upmarket Cotswolds organic farm shop and café might tempt you into another break. Pass through the charming villages of Churchill and Kingham before arriving in the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh in the North Cotswolds. You will settle in here for two nights. There are ample dinner options for an evening on your own, either in town or at your hotel. If you plan to dine at the hotel’s fine-dining establishment, making reservations upon your arrival is highly recommended.
Today’s Ride Choices
Oxford to Moreton-in-Marsh via Blenheim — 35.5 miles
What to Expect:
Depart along the Oxford Canal towpath (packed dirt) to a dedicated paved bike lane that parallels a somewhat busy road for 7 miles. Then transition to narrow, paved, low traffic country lanes to the town of Woodstock and the expansive grounds of Blenheim Palace. After departing Blenheim Palace, continue on a rolling descent past Chadlington and then descend gently into the center of the town of Moreton-in-Marsh.
Today is a Stay Put Day brimming with possibilities. The route on your England self-guided biking tour leads you to some of the most charming roads and bike paths in the North Cotswolds. Begin with a scenic spin to the historic wool market town of Chipping Campden, home to the quirky “Cotswold Olimpicks,” an annual celebration of sport and mirth that features competitions such as tug of war, shin-kicking, and piano smashing. The hamlet is also celebrated for its Market Hall, built in 1627, its honey-hued limestone buildings, and its long tradition of arts and crafts. Then, continue to the village of Hidcote Bartrim and the landscaped Hidcote Gardens. Its series of outdoor “rooms” were designed by American horticulturalist Major Lawrence Johnston in the early 20th century and its pathways are lined with topiary, stone walls, and hornbeam.
Next, continue your England self-guided biking tour while cycling along a revitalized rail trail, bound for Stratford-upon-Avon, the hometown of an artist of quite another sort—William Shakespeare. In this pretty city, dotted with timber-framed houses that evoke Old England, you can visit the playwright’s homes (Hall’s Croft, Nash’s House, and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage among them), the church where he is buried, and the famous Royal Shakespeare Company and its theatre. En route back to the hotel, it is worth stopping at the delightful Ebrington Arms, voted English Pub of the Year in 2018.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton-in-Marsh to Stratford-upon-Avon to Moreton-in-Marsh — 41.7 miles
What to Expect:
We suggest an early start in order to enjoy all day has to offer. Departing Moreton-in-Marsh, you will immediately cycle into a countryside of rolling pastures, copses, and charming villages. After ascending to Hidcote Gardens, the route descends into a valley and onto a rail-trail, shared-use path (walkers, cyclists, horseback riders) all the way to Stratford-upon-Avon. Depart Stratford-upon-Avon on the same route until just outside of Ebrington, continuing to Aston Magna to rejoin the morning route and make a final descent from Batsford to Moreton-in-Marsh.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You will depart Moreton-in-Marsh and ride again through Chipping Campden, but from there you will head to Broadway Tower. This 18th-century “folly” was commissioned by Lady Coventry of Worcester. Capability Brown, the designer of the grounds at Blenheim Palace, had a role in this extravagance, too. As you continue your England self-guided biking tour, you’ll enjoy expansive views of 16 counties and as far as Wales from atop this “beacon hill,” the second highest point in the Cotswolds. You’ll continue through the lavender fields of Snowshill, the hamlets of Upper and Lower Slaughter with an old mill and river, and into the beguiling village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” this pretty town spreads over a wide, flat vale and is graced by the River Windrush and its five quaint stone bridges, the oldest one dating back to 1654.
From there, you will ride an uphill route from Bourton-on-the-Water before coasting down into the Windrush Valley, known locally as “happy valley.” Your England self-guided biking tour traverses the grounds of Sherborne Estate, England’s only remaining 17th-century deer course and grandstand (where live deer were used as “incentives” for dog races) and leads to Burford. This former wool town boasts a medieval bridge and old stone houses with Tudor and Georgian facades. After settling in to your hotel, you’ll find options for dinner in town or at your inn. If you plan to dine at the hotel’s fine-dining establishment, reservations are highly recommended upon arrival.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton to Burford — 36.4 miles
What to Expect:
You depart Moreton-in-Marsh along High Street and are soon cycling little-trafficked country roads past pastureland and into one pretty village after another, including Snowshill and the Slaughters. A gradual descent leads into Bourton-on-the-Water, a good stopping point for a late lunch or snack. Your afternoon ride has one significant hill followed by an easy descent into Burford.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You will depart Burford on slightly rolling terrain to Bibury. This utterly charming village is best known for its Arlington Row, a cluster of slate-roofed stone cottages and gardens that have become a national symbol of England. This picturesque little district is so enchanting that Henry Ford had the audacious idea to ship the village in its entirety to the United States! From Bibury, your England self-guided biking tour will take you through other villages and hamlets, seemingly untouched by modern development, into Sapperton, the tiny village that played a large role in the mid-19th century Arts and Crafts movement that started in England in response to a perceived decline in decorative arts. You might enjoy a lunch break at The Bell, a hospitable and traditional English pub that has won awards for its fresh homemade fare.
Afterwards, continue your England self-guided biking tour on a mostly downhill route, entering the town where the estate of Prince Charles at Highgrove is located. His gardens are open for tours, so you can explore if you wish. (Check the website for dates. It is suggested that you make reservations well in advance.) The center of Tetbury was central to the wool and yarn trade. If you love antiquing, Tetbury is the place to find an ideal piece in one of the many bric à brac shops. Purchases at the Highgrove Estate shop support the Prince’s charities. Dinner options are available at the hotel or in town.
Today’s Ride Choices
Burford to Tetbury — 34.7 miles
What to Expect:
Ride quiet rolling and bucolic rural terrain with some fairly noticeable ascents and descents until the town of Sapperton, where we recommend lunch at the inviting Bell pub. From there, the route mainly descends to the charming town of Tetbury.
Included Meals: Breakfast
We recommend departing Tetbury early to give yourself ample time to explore Bath, the final destination on your England self-guided biking tour. You will spend much of the morning following the Fosse Way, a 2,000-year-old Roman road that rolls through stunning, untouched countryside. It’s believed that this route was originally a defensive ditch, dug by Romans to mark and protect the western boundary of the empire. Even today, engineers marvel at the straight-line Roman builders were able to achieve for a full 182 miles. You’ll ride a much shorter segment, culminating in an exhilarating descent to the 200-year-old Kennet and Avon Canal. Tracing the canal, you pass the Sydney Gardens, the only surviving 18th-century pleasure gardens in England. At their height, they were used daily for long walks, fairs, and public breakfasts. Jane Austen was among the locals who enjoyed the blooms and pathways. Then, follow a street showcasing the 18th-century stone buildings for which the city is known.
If you arrive in Bath by lunchtime, you’ll have many options for your meal, or perhaps afternoon tea in the Grand Pump Room, adjacent to the Roman Baths Museum. You might also tour Jane Austen’s house. Be sure to save time to stroll along the Royal Crescent, a row of 30 terraced houses considered the finest example of Georgian architecture in England.
This evening, celebrate your Cotswolds experience in style at your plush hotel, perfectly situated in the heart of the city, where there is no end to inviting shops, world-class restaurants, and lively pubs. If you plan on dining at the Francis Hotel’s restaurant, Monsieur Blanc, reservations are highly recommended.
Today’s Ride Choices
Tetbury to Bath — 28.4 miles
What to Expect:
Follow the Fosse Way along fairly even terrain until you descend and ascend across three dips, passing many farms and trailheads. Please be mindful that you will be sharing the route with cars and horseback riders. Enjoy a final descent to the paved canal towpath and follow it into the center of Bath. We recommend walking your bike for the final half mile through Bath’s pedestrian streets, just before the Pulteney Bridge at the end of Great Pulteney Street. Once in Bath, we strongly recommend riding directly to the Francis Hotel to store your bike before exploring the city.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Bath and depart at your leisure. For details, refer to your England self-guided biking tour VBT Handbook. Depending upon your destination, it may not be possible to depart for the U.S. on the last day of the tour. Please check airline schedules carefully. If you plan to schedule return flights immediately following the tour’s conclusion, please call your airline directly for specific check-in requirements.
Included Meals: Breakfast
We suggest arriving in England at least one day prior to the tour start date since your tour begins at 11:00 a.m. You will need to make your own travel arrangements to Moreton-in-Marsh. For details, refer to your VBT Handbook.
Meet your VBT Local host at 11:00 a.m., along with any other VBT guests arriving on the same day, for your Welcome Orientation in the lobby of the Redesdale Arms Hotel (High Street, +44 1608 650 308). Please be dressed and ready for cycling. Your Local host will be carrying a VBT sign.
Set out on your England self-guided biking tour into the bucolic landscape of the Cotswolds! Take your time and enjoy these vistas, the essence of rural England. Stop to explore a National Trust House, the Chastleton House, with over 400 years of history to see. Continue your England self-guided biking tour on more lovely roads to Daylesford, where an organic farm shop and café might tempt you into another break.
You will settle in the town of Moreton-in-Marsh in the North Cotswolds for two nights. There are ample dinner options for an evening on your own, either in town or at your hotel. If you plan to dine at the hotel’s fine-dining establishment, making reservations upon your arrival is highly recommended.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton-in-Marsh Loop — 18.9 miles
What to Expect:
Ride out of Moreton-in-Marsh with a possible stop at the Red Line in Little Compton (at 7 miles) and continue with a suggested stop at the Chastleton Trust House (at 8 miles). Continue to Daylesford, for perhaps a later lunch stop at Daylesford Farm Shop (at 12.5 miles). You loop back and then descend gently into the center of the town of Moreton-in-Marsh.
Today is a Stay Put Day brimming with possibilities. The route on your England self-guided biking tour leads you to some of the most charming roads and bike paths in the North Cotswolds. Begin with a scenic spin to the historic wool market town of Chipping Campden, home to the quirky “Cotswold Olimpicks,” an annual celebration of sport and mirth that features competitions such as tug of war, shin-kicking, and piano smashing. The hamlet is also celebrated for its Market Hall, built in 1627, its honey-hued limestone buildings, and its long tradition of arts and crafts. You’ll ride through Broad Campden, known for its topiaries filled with thatched cottages.
Then, continue to the village of Hidcote Bartrim and the landscaped Hidcote Gardens. Its series of outdoor “rooms” were designed by American horticulturalist Major Lawrence Johnston in the early 20th century and its pathways are lined with topiary, stone walls, and hornbeam. En route back to the hotel, it is worth stopping at the delightful Ebrington Arms, voted English Pub of the Year in 2018.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton-in-Marsh to Hidcote Gardens Loop — 18.6 miles
What to Expect:
We suggest an early start in order to enjoy all day has to offer. Departing Moreton-in-Marsh, you will immediately cycle into a countryside of rolling pastures, copses, and charming villages. After ascending to Hidcote Gardens make your return trip through Ebrington, continuing your England self-guided biking tour to Aston Magna where you rejoin the morning route and make a final descent from Batsford to Moreton-in-Marsh.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You will depart Moreton-in-Marsh riding to Lower Slaughter with an old mill and river, and into the beguiling village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” this pretty town spreads over a wide, flat vale and is graced by the River Windrush and its five quaint stone bridges, the oldest one dating back to 1654.
From there, you will ride an uphill route from Bourton-on-the-Water before coasting down into the Windrush Valley, known locally as “happy valley.” Your England self-guided biking tour traverses the grounds of Sherborne Estate, England’s only remaining 17th-century deer course and grandstand (where live deer were used as “incentives” for dog races) and leads to Burford. This former wool town boasts a medieval bridge and old stone houses with Tudor and Georgian facades. After settling in to your hotel, you’ll find options for dinner in town or at your inn. If you plan to dine at the hotel’s fine-dining establishment, reservations are highly recommended upon arrival.
Today’s Ride Choices
Moreton-in-Marsh to Burford — 24 miles
What to Expect:
You depart Moreton-in-Marsh along High Street and are soon cycling little-trafficked country roads past pastureland and into one pretty village after another. A gradual descent leads into Bourton-on-the-Water, a good stopping point for a late lunch or snack. Your afternoon ride has one significant hill followed by an easy descent into Burford.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You will depart Burford on slightly rolling terrain to Bibury. This utterly charming village is best known for its Arlington Row, a cluster of slate-roofed stone cottages and gardens that have become a national symbol of England. This picturesque little district is so enchanting that Henry Ford had the audacious idea to ship the village in its entirety to the United States! From Bibury, your England self-guided biking tour will take you through other villages and hamlets, seemingly untouched by modern development.
Dinner options are available at the hotel or in town.
Today’s Ride Choices
Burford to Bibury Loop — 26.8 miles
What to Expect:
Ride quiet rolling and bucolic rural terrain. Ride back along the Windrush Valley to Northleach, and head down Bibury (at 15.8 miles). Suggested lunch stop in Bibury at The Trout Farm and then return back to Burford.
Included Meals: Breakfast
The final ride of your tour descends from Buford as you approach the Thames Valley with your end destination being in the south of the Cotswolds in Bampton. With many scenes of Downton Abbey being filmed here. Shuttle provided to the voco Oxford Spires Hotel.
Aside from London, Oxford is undoubtedly England’s most recognizable city, famous the world over for its prestigious university, the oldest in the English-speaking world. Wander the network of cobbled lanes lined with noble buildings, some over 800 years old. Ascend St. Martin’s Tower, also called “CarfaxTower,” for sweeping views of the city’s rooftops and soaring spires. Visit some of the college buildings, such as Christ Church College where you’ll find the Tudor dining hall which provided inspiration for the Great Hall at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. A tour of Oxford’s castle will open the door to stories dating back 1,000 years. For a taste of more recent history, browse the stalls of the historic Covered Market, open since 1774.
Refer to your England self-guided biking tour VBT Handbook for departure details. Depending upon your destination, it may not be possible to depart for the U.S. on the last day of the tour. Please check airline schedules carefully. If you plan to schedule return flights immediately following the tour’s conclusion, please call your airline directly for specific check-in requirements.
Today’s Ride Choices
Burford to Bampton — 12.6 miles
What to Expect:
Riding out of Burford, you start with a short ascent, but then have a generally rolling ride, mainly descending through pastures and small villages on narrow lanes, as the route flattens out for about the last five miles to Bampton, where you ride past Saint Mary’s church, the filming location for “the church scenes” in Downton Abbey.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations (Please Note: Days are based on the Air Package Itinerary. Accommodations may vary depending on departure date. )
Arrival Day & Tour Days 1, 2
Redesdale Arms Hotel
Days 3, 4
The Highway Inn
Day 5
voco Oxford Spires Hotel

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
Dates & Prices
Departing Airport :
Select Year :
Air Package
8 days, includes round-trip international airfare and additional hotel nights with included breakfast.
Single Supplement: From $645
Fri, May 17 - Fri, May 24, 2024
From
$4,445
Per person, double occupancy
Reserve OnlineFri, Jun 14 - Fri, Jun 21, 2024
From
$4,545
Per person, double occupancy
Reserve OnlineFri, Jun 21 - Fri, Jun 28, 2024
From
$4,595
Per person, double occupancy
Reserve OnlineFri, Jul 19 - Fri, Jul 26, 2024
From
$4,595
Per person, double occupancy
Reserve OnlineFri, Sep 13 - Fri, Sep 20, 2024
From
$4,595
Per person, double occupancy
Reserve OnlineFri, Sep 20 - Fri, Sep 27, 2024
From
$4,595
Per person, double occupancy
Reserve OnlineSelect Year :
Tour Only
5 Days. Includes Self-Guided bike vacation only.
Single Supplement: From $445
For more information, call: 800-245-3868
Please note: Special savings cannot be combined with any other offer. Standard Terms & Conditions apply when purchasing this trip. Prices include all airline surcharges and Government taxes and fees. Ask our Tour Consultants for details. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors. Prices are based on preferences selected above, including meals and sightseeing as specified in What’s Included. All prices are subject to change. Departure dates and prices shown may be updated several times daily, and apply to new bookings only.





Other Tours You'll Love
View Related Tours

Vermont: Middlebury Countryside & the Lake Champlain Coast
Self-Guided Biking
Starting from 5 days at
$1,795
Among bike tours in Vermont, this inn-to-inn self-guided itinerary is special. Explore town and country with prolonged stays at two classic inns.


Spain: Barcelona & Costa Brava
Self-Guided Biking
Starting from 6 days at
$2,395
Savor a free-spirited ride on Spain’s Costa Brava. You’ll set your own pace on this inn-to-inn self-guided bike tour of Catalonia’s coastal ranges and medieval enclaves.


Portugal: Porto, the Silver Coast & Lisbon
Self-Guided Biking
Starting from 7 days at
$3,195
This self-guided bike tour of Portugal follows the scenic Silver Coast from Porto to Lisbon along white-sand beaches, fragrant pine forests, and historic villages.
Stories From Europe
View All StoriesNine Reasons to Love Europe in the Springtime
September 22, 2023
There’s nothing like the first blush of spring to showcase the European countryside in its most vibrant colors. Here are the perfect springtime cycling adventures to satisfy body and soul....
Continue Reading9 Sophisticated Cycling Tours Through the World’s Best Wine Regions
September 19, 2022
From the sun-drenched valleys of Tuscany to the cooler climes of Otago, VBT takes you on a tour of the very best international wine regions—by bicycle....
Continue ReadingVBT's Top Destinations for Car-Free Cycling
August 17, 2023
For many cyclists, there’s no better ride than the one free of car traffic....
Continue Reading
Request a
Free Catalog
Find Your next vacation with Over 200 Pages of tour information
Get Yours TodayBook Online
Reserve Instantly
Find your perfect tour and reserve a spot with our easy online booking.
Find A Tour