|
Cotswolds and Stratford Itinerary
6 nights/7 days
Ready
to reserve
Day One - Oxford
  Arrive
in Oxford on Sunday and check into your hotel located close
to the heart of the city. Enjoy the treasures of this beautiful
city today. Stroll through the lovely colleges of the University
with their magnificent architecture and gardens. Take in the museums,
galleries and libraries galore, and perhaps a concert or play. Discover
the little tea rooms and fine restaurants, the unique shops and
back streets and the river backwaters dotted with punters and rowing
eights. At a time to suit you make your way to our base in the centre
of Oxford, which is open from 10.00 to 16.00 to pick up
your cycling equipment. Your host will meet you there, organise
your bicycle and run through your itinerary. Day Two - Oxford
to Woodstock
 10
miles (16 km )
Your
cycling journey begins along the Oxford Canal which lies very close
to your hotel. This delightful and rural waterside ride leads out
of Oxford, past houseboats and locks and through pretty villages.
Not far from the navigation, sits the Cotswold stone village of
Woodstock and the grandiose Blenheim Palace set in 2000 acres of
Capability Brown landscape. Built in the 18th Century, it was the
birthplace of Winston Churchill and the 11th Duke of Marlborough
lives there. Your accommodation is in this lovely village.
Day Three - Woodstock
to Bledington
23
miles (37km)
Today’s
ride explores classic Cotswolds country. There are twisting lanes
leading through pretty villages; tiny bridges crossing gurgling
rivers; ancient woodlands, hidden tracks nestling in the valleys
and wonderful views. Cosy pubs are dotted along the route and there’s
time to linger in the old stone and thatched villages. Your accommodationf
is in one of these villages.
Day Four -
Bledington to Stratford on Avon
23
miles (37km) or 32 miles (51km)
Start the day with either
a short train hop or a gentle pedal to the Cotswold market town
of Moreton-in-Marsh where the high street formed part of the Roman
Fosse Way. Linger in the shops and cafes before cycling gently on
through peaceful country lanes to enjoy the renowned gardens of Hidcote and Kiftsgate before freewheeling
downhill through villages seemingly untouched by time, to join the
old railway track that leads into Stratford. This famous
old market town, needs little introduction as the birthplace of
William Shakespeare. Your accommodation for the night is in town
with all its half timbered buildings.
Day Five - Stratford on Avon to Broadway
20
miles (32km) or 38 miles (61 km)
Take the morning to further enjoy Stratford as there's much to see. Visit the five restored Tudor houses associated
with Shakespeare and the theatre which is home to the Royal Shakespeare
Company. Stroll through the many shops and backstreets, linger in
a cafe or take a boat trip on the river Avon on whose banks the
town attractively sits. Pedal off after lunch on the flat and easy ride to the neat gardens and pretty cottages of Broadway where you will stay the night. If you are keen to cycle further, ride on to Sudeley Castle and Winchcombe returning through a string of gorgeous villages.
Day Six - Broadway to Chipping Campden
12
miles (19km)
This is a truly wonderful day despite the inclusion of the only real hill of the entire route. Leave all visitors behind as you take an idyllic rural track through sheep clad hills to the delightful village of Snowshill where you can visit inside the manor house. Ride on past stunning fields of lavendar and look forward to a refreshment stop near the Broadway Tower with breathtaking views over 12 counties on a clear day. The outstanding vistas continue with a downhill route for the rest of the day that leads to the 'must see' 14th Century honey coloured stone buildings of Chipping Campden. This gem of the Cotswolds is where you will spend the last night of your tour. Soak up its very special atmosphere and relax after a stunning day.
Day Seven - Chipping Campden to Oxford
7 miles (11km)
Enjoy all that Chipping Campden has to offer before wending your way through some pretty villages to Moreton in Marsh for a short train hop back to Oxford Return your bikes to our base where your luggage will be waiting for you and depart at leisure..
Ready to
reserve
|
