England: Bath & the Cotswolds

6 days
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Group Tour
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 pa...
From$4,595
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

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, the 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.

What's this trip about?

    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.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityOxford
End CityBath

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Guided Group

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Trip includes

    • 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

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: Oxford / VBT Bicycling Vacation begins / Burford

Meet your fellow travelers and VBT trip leaders at 1:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Oxford hotel. You will have a chance to change into your biking gear in the hotel’s public restrooms. Please note: Plan to eat lunch or a snack on your own beforehand, as the next schedul...

DAY 2: Windrush Valley / Blenheim Palace

Cycle the breathtaking Windrush Valley today, crossing the river and traversing the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. Ride through the sylvan Wychwood Forest to the village of Leafield and the charming market town of Charlbury. The centerpiece of the day is your visit t...

DAY 3: Bourton-on-the-Water / Lower Slaughter

More of the stunning Windrush Valley unfolds before you today, a picture-perfect canvas of the Cotswolds. By day’s end, you will understand why our trip leaders call this peaceful region “happy valley.” The Windrush was named for the way its namesake river winds throu...

DAY 4: Chipping Campden / Hidcote Gardens / Broadway Tower

After breakfast, set out into the magnificent hedge- and tree-lined country lanes of the North Cotswolds. Gentle hills surround you as you make your way to the small market town of Chipping Campden, home to the Cotswold “Olimpicks” and honey-hued limestone buildings. ...

DAY 5: Cycle through the Southern Cotswolds to Bath

Shuttle this morning for about an hour through the stunning English countryside to the small hamlet of Westonbirt. From here, you cycle along the Fosse Way, a 2,000-year-old Roman route linking Exeter and Lincoln. Remarkable for ancient engineering, the road never vee...

DAY 6: VBT Bicycling Vacation ends / Departure

This morning’s ride leads out of Bath along the Kennet and Avon canal, over the magnificent Dundus and Avoncliff aqueducts, which were built to traverse the valley in 1800. Follow the river valley toward the old wool town of Bradford-on-Avon, where you might stop for ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,595
Price per day$766
Last Updated: 4/19/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
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11
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4
Terrible
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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

premier
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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

5 nights in small country estates

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

9 meals: 5 breakfasts. 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

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

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-EnBa

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