Oxford to Bath By Bike

This cycling tour is suitable for most regular cyclists. You’ll spend much of the day in the saddle and you should be experienced with this to enjoy your holiday.

Before your tour, we recommend cycling a couple of consecutive days, so you get used to riding back-to-back days and incorporating some hilly terrain into your routine. Be sure to take into account the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

There will be some gentle inclines and declines at times, ranging from approximately 250-500m / 650-1600ft. You will cover approximately 40km / 25 miles each day over a few consecutive days.

You'll cycle on quiet country roads with very occasional stretches on busier roads as you approach towns, and easy canal paths as you approach Bath. The terrain is rolling, and you can enjoy being on tarmac roads, easy gravel paths and cycle paths.

This tour is graded easy to moderate. Within the tour individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is a mix of boutique country inns and B&Bs, each offering a warm welcome and traditional hospitality.

If you'd like to add extra nights along the way, or at the start or end of your itinerary, just get in touch - there's plenty of opportunity for sightseeing if you'd like to build in some rest days.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

A hearty breakfast is included each morning, with each accommodation taking pride in using fresh, locally sourced produce. Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the options we suggest in your Tour Info and our app.

There's no bad time to cycle this route, though spring, summer and autumn are generally the best months. Spring brings wildflowers into bloom and quieter towns during the day, while by October the Cotswolds take on lovely orange autumn hues. You can start on any day of the week between the start of April and the end of October, subject to availability - the Cotswolds are popular, so it's worth booking well in advance.

The South West of England sees changeable weather throughout the year, so pack waterproofs whenever you travel. In summer, be prepared for hot weather with sunscreen and plenty of water, and in the shoulder seasons of March and October pack for colder temperatures, including cycling gloves. Check for weather warnings before setting off each day, and avoid cycling if any serious warnings are in place, as conditions can affect the road and path surfaces.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

We've also included some self-guided walking tours in the main towns along the way, such as Bibury, Cirencester and Lacock, which you can also access through our app.

This tour starts in Oxford, reached from London Paddington by regular direct trains taking around 1 hour. If you're arriving at Heathrow, the Heathrow Express train runs to London Paddington in just 15 to 20 minutes. From Gatwick, take the national rail train to Farringdon (around 40 minutes), then the Elizabeth Line to Paddington (around 10 minutes). From Stansted, take the train to Liverpool Street station, then the Elizabeth Line to Paddington (around 10 minutes).

The tour ends in Bath. Bristol Airport is around an hour away by public transport and has good links to other UK and European airports - regular trains connect Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads, and the A1 Airport Flyer bus runs from outside Bristol Temple Meads to the airport. Fast, frequent train services also connect Bath to London Paddington (around 1 hour 30 minutes). From there, for Heathrow, take the Heathrow Express train (15 to 20 minutes). For Gatwick, take the Elizabeth Line from Paddington to Farringdon (around 10 minutes), then the national rail train from Farringdon to Gatwick Airport (around 40 minutes). For Stansted, take the Elizabeth Line from Paddington to Liverpool Street station (around 10 minutes), then the Stansted Express train.

You'll need your standard cycling gear. Bike hire comes with a pannier rack and bag, a pump, lock, a basic repair kit, and handlebar phone. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

Since you'll have your bike with you, shortening or skipping sections may not be easy. For the best local advice on transport options for cyclists, please consult your accommodation provider or reach out to our local bike partner, where applicable.

We hire bikes suited to the terrain, including e-bikes for a bit of extra assist, in a range of sizes - just let us know your height when booking so we can get your frame right. If you would like to bring your own bike then, in the majority of cases, this is not a problem – please contact us to talk it through. We encourage all cyclists to wear a helmet, and it is law in many countries across Europe. We recommend bringing your own helmet for hygiene and safety reasons, however on most tours you can hire one.

The following bikes are available for hire:

Included hybrid bike: Scott Sub Sport 30. Aluminium frame, 24-speed, triple chainset, 8-speed 11-32 cassette, hydraulic disc brakes. Includes dynamo lights, lock, water bottle holder, phone holder, rear pannier rack, mudguards, front suspension and kickstand.

Upgrade to e-bike: Gazelle Ultimate T10 HMB or Gazelle Chamonix T10 HMS. Aluminium frame, 10-speed Shimano Deore, Bosch or Shimano Steps mid-mounted motor, hydraulic disc brakes.

Upgrade to gravel bike: Genesis Croix Der Fer 30 or Genesis Croix Der Fer 10, with Shimano GRX or Sora drivetrains and disc brakes.

Tandem bikes are also available. Brand and model may vary depending on availability, and the minimum age for e-bike hire is 16 years.

Please provide your height for bike sizing when booking.

Bike Hire Inclusions: spare inner tube, repair kit and pump, pannier bag (not included on the gravel bike), one lock, lights, water bottle holder and phone mount, plus a battery charger for e-bikes. Helmets are not included on this tour, so please bring your own. A frame or saddle bag can be requested for the gravel bike.

Many riders choose an e-bike for the extra assistance, though note that e-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles. Gravel and road bikes are only recommended for experienced cyclists who are comfortable with the riding position and have the fitness for this style of biking.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation