London to Oxford By Bike
- Cycle the Thames Valley from the pretty suburbs of London to Oxford
- Explore the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- The iconic landmarks of Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace
- Enjoy London's quiet riverside paths and royal parks
- Cycle through quaint villages and historic market towns along the way
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive London, overnight at West LondonArrive at Putney Bridge in London, which is easily reached from any of the London Airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted). Putney is a busy little district in the southwest of the city, with numerous pubs and restaurants, as well as the bank of the Thames River. The Putney Bridge tube station is linked via the district line, taking you to the heart of London in only 15 minutes. We highly recommend adding an extra night here so that you can explore the city of London.
The guestrooms have been carefully designed, offering an upscale level of comfort without compromising a genuinely cool feel. Velvets, brass, Maison Pierre Frey fabrics and bold colours mix with sumptuous beds, crisp white linen and goose down duvets. Graduating from Cosy to Classic, and Superior to Deluxe with a variety of twin-bedded, interlinking and Family rooms; all infuse chic décor with 21st century sensibilities. Bathrooms are in sleek porcelain stocked with rejuvenating products and fluffy white towelling. For extra convenience there is also fast dedicated Wi-Fi connection and an in-house gym.
From Putney Bridge you'll pick up the quiet Thames path and cycle along the river to Barnes, a classy riverside village. You do not have to worry about cycling on London's roads for your first day of riding. You'll leave the river here, passing through Barnes Common and Roehampton before arriving at Richmond Park, home to a number of deer as well as a variety of rare species including fungi, birds, beetles, bats, grasses and wildflowers. Even though it’s close to central London, it's an important habitat for wildlife and is a National Nature Reserve. Cycle through this wild and beautiful expansive deer park to Ham, where you'll pick up the Thames path again. The river leads you through Kingston-upon-Thames towards Hampton Court Palace, once the home of Henry VIII and a recommended visit. Continuing along the river until you reach Staines, leave the path again to gently climb towards Cooper's Hill and Windsor Great Park, with beautiful woodland, lakes and views of Windsor Castle. You'll arrive in town once leaving the park, overnighting here to explore this iconic town. Located on the opposite bank of the river is Eton, famed for its public school and worth an explore when staying in Windsor. Windsor Castle, the late Queen's favourite London residence, is open all year round should you wish to visit. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it's been the home of 39 monarchs.
Total ascent/descent: 120m/112m
This boutique hotel is located in the heart of Eton High Street, opposite the world famous and architecturally stunning Eton School, and a short walk from the river Thames and Windsor Castle. Eton is located opposit Windsor, and is just a short walk over the bridge. The charming rooms are equiped with flat screen TV, free superfast WIFI internet access, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, and toiletries.
Leaving Windsor, you'll pass the famous school of Eton with a traffic-free section across Dorney Common and its lake. The route then heads through Maidenhead and Twyford before a lovely waterside stretch along the Thames River again, taking you to Reading. Here you turn north towards the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where the landscape begins to change with the rolling hills of the English countryside. Enjoy the views on this section as you approach the picturesque Saxon town of Wallingford via rural lanes. This is where you'll spend the night and if you have time to explore, there is a museum here. William the Conqueror lead his victorious army over the river at this very spot.
Total ascent/descent: 298m/304m
This unique building, one of the oldest in town, has been a pub for nearly two centuries. Today, it has 3 ensuite bedrooms which are all simply furnished but have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. The pub serves real ales, lagers, ciders and wine and you can enjoy a rest in their beer garden on a nice evening. They also have another building directly opposite, The Royal, offering more rooms. The Coachmakers Arms have three circular walks all starting and ending at the Inn, as part of The Brakspear Pub Trails. Please ask for more information at the Inn.
This recently refurbished building has 4 ensuite bedrooms which are all simply furnished but have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. The restaurant/pub serves real ales, lagers, ciders and wine. They also have another building directly opposite, Coachmakers Armsl, offering more rooms.
Situated near to the picturesque Wallingford Bridge, and with easy access to the Thames Path. Following a refurbishment in 2016 the pub now has 4 rooms available to guests, all rooms are simply furnished but have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. The pub serves real ales, lagers, ciders and wine and is known in the area for its good hearty pub food.
An optional loop ride takes you to the historic market town of Henley-on-Thames, renowned for its annual Royal Regatta, a rowing boat event on the River Thames. Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world attend the Henley Royal Regatta, cheering on Olympic and international-standard rowing teams as they compete for trophies. The event isn't just about the racing, people gather for food and refreshments on the banks of the river, with the event being a highlight on both the summer sporting and social calendar. The loop ride takes you through quaint villages with historic curches to Henley, where we recommend stopping for lunch with its stylish pubs and numerous cafes and restaurants to choose from. You'll then loop back and finish close to the site where, until 1652, was Wallingford Castle, one of the most intimidating fortifications in pre-Civil War England and worth an explore at the end of your ride.
Should you decide not to ride today, you can spend time exploring the Chilterns. Nuffield Place, a modest yet charming mid-20th century home which tells the captivating story of Lord and Lady Nuffield, is closeby and accessible by bus from Wallingford. So is Brightwell Vineyard, producing white, rosé, red and sparkling wines, as well as an English Brandy. Tours and tastings are available. Or why not pack some footware to explore the surrounding countryside by foot, with plenty of footpaths and trails on offer.
Total ascent/descent: 406m/406m
This unique building, one of the oldest in town, has been a pub for nearly two centuries. Today, it has 3 ensuite bedrooms which are all simply furnished but have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. The pub serves real ales, lagers, ciders and wine and you can enjoy a rest in their beer garden on a nice evening. They also have another building directly opposite, The Royal, offering more rooms. The Coachmakers Arms have three circular walks all starting and ending at the Inn, as part of The Brakspear Pub Trails. Please ask for more information at the Inn.
This recently refurbished building has 4 ensuite bedrooms which are all simply furnished but have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. The restaurant/pub serves real ales, lagers, ciders and wine. They also have another building directly opposite, Coachmakers Armsl, offering more rooms.
Situated near to the picturesque Wallingford Bridge, and with easy access to the Thames Path. Following a refurbishment in 2016 the pub now has 4 rooms available to guests, all rooms are simply furnished but have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. The pub serves real ales, lagers, ciders and wine and is known in the area for its good hearty pub food.
Cycle further into Oxfordshire, passing Didcot before coming to a traffic-free section past a series of lakes using a disused railway line, taking you to the pretty historic market town of Abingdon, with Iron Age, Roman and Saxon origins and famed for its Bun Throwing tradition. This 400 year-old tradition is unique to this town, where specially made buns are thrown to residents by Councillors in full ceremonial robes from the top of the historic County Hall. It's usually held to mark a royal occasion. When when you leave Abingdon on the final section, take in the last of the views of the Thames River as you approach Oxford, one of the world’s most famous university cities with the oldest colleges dating back to 1300. The university buildings are scattered throughout the city, generally honey-coloured and very elegant. Explore the city's narrow cobbled streets and tranquil courtyards, either by foot or bike, and celebrate the end of your ride in one of the many pubs and restaurants.
Total ascent/descent: 76m/71m
Situated in a quiet neighbourhood, yet walking distance to the city centre, Ethos Hotel has the largest guest rooms in Oxford. Their restaurant, Caffè Ethos, serves full English breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, dinner, and afternoon high tea. Their fully licensed bar and wine sommelier curates the best of Oxford Wine Company wines and local real ales. Espresso drinks brewed to perfection and complimentary snacks for hotel guests make us a favorite among locals and visitors.
Tower House is a beautifully decorated 17th century guest house located in the heart of Oxford. Their eight uniquely decorated rooms will provide a relaxing haven in the bustling city centre. Their profits go to Oxford Hub a charity organisation that supports university students engaging in social action in both their local community and beyond.
Your cycling holiday will come to an end after breakfast. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel.
Other Information
Is it for me?Perfect for occasional riders. Cycle along the Thames from London, England’s iconic river, viewing some of this country’s rich historic treasures along the way. The route passes through royal parks and some of the most picturesque landscapes in England, not to mention beautiful cities, market towns and villages. As you enter hiller terrain in the Chiltern Hills, either take advantage of the loop ride to Henley-on-Thames, winding your way on country lanes, or enjoy a rest day at Wallingford.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This tour is graded easy to moderate, with distances ranging from 37km to 62km. It's perfect for occasional riders seeking to discover a region of England famous for its iconic cities and sites, and beautiful countryside. The terrain is relatively flat, and almost half of the route is traffic-free and family-friendly, though it becomes hillier once you approach Wallingford in the Chiltern Hills. This picturesque section is well worth the exertion, and E-bikes are available should you decide to have battery powered assistance, allowing more time to relax at the accommodation and explore. You'll cycle along designated cycle paths and quiet country roads with the ocassional stretch on busier roads as you approach towns. Most of the route (approximately 80%) is on asphalt. You will avoid the hussle and bustle of London's busy roads by starting your ride on west London's quiet riverside paths in Putney, continuing through London's beautiful royal parks.
You will experience a variety of accommodations on this tour, from 4-star hotels to small comfortable inns with rooms that offer warm welcomes and traditional hospitality.
Single Rooms & Solo cyclists
If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. We can also accommodate solo cyclists for this tour.Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options we provide. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs or restaurants. The Chilterns in particular is an area renowned for its vineyards and sparkling wine, artisan bakeries and fresh local produce. We've included our favourite spots within the app, so that you don't miss out.Additional Nights
If you wish to add additional nights along the way or at the beginning and end of your itinerary please contact us. You may choose to add some rest days, or extra days where there is plenty of opportunity for sightseeing.The Thames Valley cycling route is relatively well-waymarked along the way. We provide GPX tracks that are accessible on the Macs Smartphone App, so you can simply follow the route on your phone and have a problem-free day. Please note that this route is not following the Thames walking path, which is solely a walking route from the source of the river in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier in London. It is classified as a ’public footpath’, where bikes aren’t allowed on some of it. We have included recommendations on where to eat and points of interest along the route, to ensure you get the most out of your ride.
- Accommodation in comfortable hotels and Inns
- All breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office
- Bike hire (standard or E-bike)
- Travel to London
- Travel from Oxford
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Equipment
- Bike hire (standard or E-bike)
- Extra nights
You can start this tour anytime between March and the end of October. The South East of England is prone to varying types of weather throughout the year. Always be prepared for changeable conditions when cycling in England. Waterproofs are essential all year round. In the summer months, be prepared for hot weather also, ensure you have sunscreen and in the shoulder seasons of March or October, expect colder temperatures.
Before you set off each day, it is also important that you pay attention to any weather warnings in place. We recommend visiting https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ (the UK’s official source for weather warnings). Do not attempt to cycle if any serious weather warnings are in place, as weather conditions may affect surfaces.
You can easily make your way to Putney in West London from any of the London Airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted). Though we recommend Heathrow for both the start and end.
Putney is very accessible and well-linked, with both a National Rail train station (Putney) and a London Underground station (Putney Bridge). Tickets can be bought at the stations, and you can use Transport for London to plan your journey along the way.
London Heathrow Airport
Heathrow is on the London Underground, which takes you all the way to Putney Bridge in approx. 1 hour. First, take the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow to Earl's Court station, then change to the District Line to Putney Bridge. The hotel is just a short walk away from there.
Alternatively, you can take the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington, which takes just 15-20 minutes (we recommend buying a return ticket if making your way back to Heathrow from Oxford). Then from Paddington take the District Line on the London Underground to Putney Bridge, which takes approx. 20 minutes.
London Gatwick Airport
It's a simple train journey from Gatwick to central London. Take the National Rail train from Gatwick Airport to Clapham Junction, then from there, take another train to Putney station (journey time approx. 45 minutes in total).
Alternatively, you can take the Gatwick Express train to London Victoria, then take the District Line on the London Underground from there to Putney Bridge station.
London Stansted Airport
Take the Stansted Express train to Tottenham Hale, then change onto the Victoria Line on the London Underground to Victoria. From there, take the District Line to Putney Bridge.
For further information and to plan your journey by train or underground, please visit either the Trainline, National Rail or TfL websites.
From Oxford there are regular direct trains back to London Paddington station, which takes approximately 1 hour.
London Heathrow Airport
From London Paddington station, take the Heathrow Express train to London Heathrow Airport, taking just 15-20 minutes.
London Gatwick Airport
From London Paddington station, take the Elizabeth Line on the London Underground to Farringdon (which takes approx. 10 minutes). Then from there take the national rail train to Gatwick Airport (approx. 40 minutes).
London Stansted Airport
From London Paddington station, take the Elizabeth Line on the London Underground to Liverpool Street station (which takes approx. 10 minutes). Then from there, take the Stansted Express train.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Bike & E-Bike Hire
Hire of a standard bike or E-Bike bike is available. We provide Gazelle Chamonix or Dawes Karakum touring bikes as standard hybrid bikes. Gazelle Chamonix T10 HMS E-Bikes (or similar) are also available. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for your own comfort. Each bike comes with a bottle cage, a lock, lights and a pannier rack (pannier bags are available for a supplement).
For some battery-powered assistance on longer days, and to ease ascents, we recommend hiring an e-bike. We can also arrange hire of high quality E-bikes. The rechargeable battery on your bike will be your reliable riding partner, getting you to the top of hills or to your final destination with more energy in the tank for an afternoon exploration. E-bikes are growing rapidly in popularity so please make sure to request one at the time of booking so we can secure availability for your trip and avoid disappointment.
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.
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