7 Days & 6 Nights

4.6

Cycling in the Heart of the Cotswolds

Pedal through the quintessential Cotswold countryside, a jewel of England
Observe the changing light reflect off honey-coloured cottages and green hills
Explore Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare’s birthplace
Experience delicious gourmet food in cosy local pubs and restaurants
Wander through the diverse gardens at Sezincote and Stanway

Follow cycle routes through quintessentially perfect Cotswold countryside and villages, such as Chipping Camden and Upper Slaughter. Honey-coloured stone houses, hedgerowed lanes, gloriously blossoming and colourful gardens all contribute towards what has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. During this self-guided cycling tour every day has a highlight, from the discovery of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments, to the romantic water gardens at Sezincote and the Brailes, an area mentioned in the Domesday Book. You will be cycling through many iconic areas of the Cotswolds and even a cycle through Stratford-upon-Avon is included, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. With only one change of accommodation on this tour you can unpack and relax.

From £859.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Moreton-on-Marsh

Today you will arrive in Moreton-on-Marsh located at the head of the beautiful Evenlode Valley. This thriving market town has just one main street which is lined with shops and galleries.

Perhaps you would like to arrive on a Tuesday as this is when Moreton-on-Marsh is host to the largest open-air street market in the Cotswolds. Also of interest is the White Hart Royal Hotel, a former manor house that sheltered King Charles I during the Civil War.

For dinner tonight there are plenty of restaurants from which to choose.

Overnight Moreton-in-Marsh

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Redesdale Arms | Hotel

Redesdale Arms Hotel is a 17th-century coaching house which has a contemporary decor with stylish bedrooms and you can enjoy log fires in the winter and a patio garden in the summer. The rooms are spread between the original main house, dating back to 1650, and to the rear of the building in the original stable block or courtyard. Two of their rooms feature whirlpool baths and many have spacious walk-in showers. All the rooms are equipped with a TV and new king-size beds. The restaurant has an AA Rosette award and the menu boasts good quality produce including local game and vegetables, and Cornish seafood.

Swan Inn | Inn

The Swan Inn is a Grade II listed part Georgian building in traditional Cotswold Stone. All rooms are en-suite with a shower and all with TV, hair dryer, complimentary mineral water and Tea / Coffee making facilities are provided. You can relax in the lounge bar / restaurant and enjoy a drink or coffee a glass of wine from the carefully selected wine list.

The Manor House Hotel | Hotel

"The luxurious four-star Manor House Hotel is a charming 16th-century Cotswold retreat where you can unwind, enjoy great food and drink, and soak up a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Each room has its own character and style, with lovely views to match. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee facilities, and en-suite bathrooms stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products.

Day 2 Cycle loop through Chipping Norton 29 miles / 47 km

The cycling route today takes you through pretty rural routes, and initially to the town of Chipping Norton. The town’s name means “market town north” and began as a small settlement at the foot of a hill on which there was a motte and Bailey Castle. Just north of the town you will cycle past the Rollright Stones, a complex of three Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. They are now known as the Kings Men, the King Stone and the Whispering Knights and were all built at different times during the late prehistoric age.

Continue on your route through quaint villages, such as Little Compton and Paxton, before arriving back into Moreton-on-Marsh.

Overnight Moreton-in-Marsh

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Redesdale Arms | Hotel

Swan Inn | Inn

The Manor House Hotel | Hotel

Day 3 Cycle loop through the Brailes 27 miles / 43.5 km

Today’s loop takes you to the west of Moreton-on-Marsh and through Upper and Lower Brailes situated in the county of Warwickshire and in the northern part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Expect some hilly terrain today as the Brailes are surrounded by small hills. Brailes derives from a Saxon word for wood, and in the Domesday book was described as an important manor. You then cycle through more pretty villages with stone farms, cottages and gardens overflowing with flowers en route.

Overnight Moreton-in-Marsh

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Redesdale Arms | Hotel

Swan Inn | Inn

The Manor House Hotel | Hotel

Day 4 Cycle to Broadway via Upper and Lower Slaughter 23 miles / 37 km

Todays route takes you through some of the most iconic Cotswold countryside and villages. Upon leaving Moreton-on-Marsh your route takes you close to Sezincote House, built with an Indian influence, and inspiration for the architect of the Brighton Pavilion. The house is set within a romantic water garden and it is definitely worth stopping to stroll through the house and gardens.

Continue on until you reach the twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. The name is derived from the old English “slohtre”, which means a muddy place. The epitome of Cotswold charm,these villages should not be missed and you will enjoy spending time here exploring.

After this visit you now concentrate on getting some miles under your belt. The route to Broadway takes you through undulating countryside and to Snowshill. Here, if you have time, it is worth stopping at Snowshill House and its Arts and Crafts style terraced gardens.

Overnight Broadway

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Olive Branch Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Olive Branch, a grade II listed building, has been trading as a Guest House for nearly 70 years. It has the reputation of being a warm and friendly, family run 'home from home' with many guests returning year after year. All rooms have colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities, and hair dryers. Wifi is also available. The owner's comfortable lounge is available for you to relax in after a day’s walking. Breakfast is served in the Cotswold stone dining room with Inglenook fireplace and original flagstone floor. You will be treated to the delights of Pam’s home baking and David’s delicious English breakfast.

Russell’s of Broadway | Hotel

Russell’s is one of the chicest places to stay and eat in Broadway, it's situated in the former showroom of Sir Gordon Russell’s furniture. Above the restaurant are seven individually designed bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, luxury bedlinen and air conditioning. Flat screen televisions, broadband internet access and original architectural features all combine to create a supremely comfortable experience.

Broadway Hotel | Hotel

The Broadway Hotel, served over 400 years ago as a rural retreat still offers a feeling of tranquillity to be enjoyed by today’s visitors. The bedrooms are individually furnished, warm and inviting, with attention to detail in every bedroom. Each of the nineteen guest rooms have a flat-screen TV, beverage tray, hairdryer and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The Tattersalls Brasserie is in the beautiful new Atrium, the elegant, light filled brasserie offers an extensive a la carte menu with a good selection of fresh and seasonal dishes along with a choice of 31 day dry aged free range steaks.

Day 5 Cycle loop through Stratford-upon-Avon 43 miles / 69.5 km

Today there are a few different options to choose from. The first is to take a 43 mile bike ride that takes you in a loop from Broadway to Stratford-upon-Avon and back. If you take this cycle ride you will probably arrive in Stratford around lunchtime, and you will have a little time to explore this town, famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

The second option is a shorter ride of around 23 miles in the morning. This route takes you through Chipping Camden, a charming and historic town, once famous for its wool trade. This afternoon perhaps you would like to take a bus into Stratford to see where The Bard was born and explore.

The third option is to take a day of rest. Broadway is a really picturesque town to stroll through and perhaps you may wish to search out some antique and book shops, or have lunch in a tea room or local pub. You may also take the bus into Stratford-upon-Avon if you wish.

Overnight Broadway

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Olive Branch Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Russell’s of Broadway | Hotel

Broadway Hotel | Hotel

Day 6 Broadway loop via Stanway House and Gardens 29 miles / 47 km

The route today takes you on a loop to the south and west of Broadway. Head out of town to the west and along pretty country lanes to Elmley Castle, a small village and where the ruins of the castle remain. Continue through the charming villages of Ashton under Hill, Alderton and Gretton.

Just south of Broadway is Stanway, a scenic village and where it is worth stopping to see Stanway Manor House and Gardens. Explore this outstanding Jacobean Manor House and the 18th century water gardens, the finest in all of England.

Arrive back in Broadway for your final evening. With plenty of restaurants and pubs to choose from, perhaps you would like to have a final dinner and a toast to celebrate your week of wonderful cycling.

Overnight Broadway

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Olive Branch Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Russell’s of Broadway | Hotel

Broadway Hotel | Hotel

Day 7 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

If you want to cycle through some of the Cotswold’s most iconic countryside and pretty villages at your own pace, stopping to explore en route, then this tour is for you. Also enjoy the local cuisine in the many gourmet pubs and restaurants and the additional bonus of cycling into Stratford-upon-Avon and visiting some of the area’s most amazing manor houses and incredible gardens. With only one change of accommodation you’ll have more time for relaxation and discovery of the area. You'll cycle along mostly quiet country roads and through rural pretty countryside, towns and villages. At times you will have to ride along busier main roads, especially as you enter and leave towns. You must therefore be a confident cyclist when on busier roads.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Short Break

Grade & Terrain

You will need to have a fairly good fitness level to fully enjoy this trip. Although the Cotswolds generally is not very hilly there will be some gentle inclines and declines at times. Most of the cycling on this tour is along quiet country roads and through the rural and very pretty countryside, towns and villages. At times you will have to ride along busier main roads in order to link the routes, or perhaps access another smaller road. Roads will also get busier as you enter and leave towns, especially at Moreton-on-Marsh.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

6 Nights in B&B's and guesthouses
6 Breakfasts
Baggage transfer
Taxi transfer from Broadway to Moreton-in-Marsh on day 7
Detailed trip info and mapped tracks, via the Macs App
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to Moreton-in-Marsh / from Broadway
Bike hire
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Bike hire

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your Trip Info has a detailed kit list.

Transfers

A taxi transfer from Broadway at the end of the tour is included to Moreton-on-Marsh train station. The journey takes about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

Equipment

The following bikes are available for hire:

Hybrid Bike: Ridgeback Velocity including a mud guard and kick stand

Ebike: Motus Raleigh or Scott Sub Tour Wave Bike. Boach powered with a min 500Wh batter, lights, mudguards.

Road Bike: Scott Addict. Carbon fibre frame & forks, 105 Shimano 2x11 speed gearing and hydraulic disc brakes. Suitable for experienced cyclists who understand the riding position and have the physical fitness needed for this style of biking.

Tandems are not available for this tour.

Brand and model may vary depending on availability. Minimum age for ebike hire is 16yrs.

Please provide the following information on booking:

Your height for bike size
Head circumference if you wish to hire a helmet

Bike Hire Inclusions:

Spare inner tube
Helmet (we recommend you bring your own)
Repair kit & pump
Pannier bag (not on road bike)
One lock
Phone Mount
Battery charger (for ebikes only)

Many people choose to hire an e-bike, as the battery-powered assistance can be helpful when needed. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles. For more information on how ebikes work click here

Bringing Your Own Bike

We understand that your bike is more than just a machine that gets you from A to B, it's a reliable travel companion that you want to bring with you on your trip.

Due to logistics on this tour bringing your own bike is only possible if you are arriving in Moreton-in-Marsh by car. In this case we advise parking in Moreton-in-Marsh for the duration of your trip. On the final day an included taxi transfer will drop you off at your car in Moreton-in-Marsh, from where you can drive back to Broadway (25 minutes) to collect your luggage and bike(s) from your final accommodation in Broadway.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.