Cotswolds Classic
Countless delightful little villages nestle amongst these green hills, their honey coloured stone cottages, churches and manors merging harmoniously into the landscape. Peaceful winding lanes lead you through this pastoral scene to many well-known villages such as Chipping Campden, Stow on the Wold and the Slaughters, where you will visit country houses, gardens, farm parks, and fascinating museums. In between you will explore places off the beaten track where you can really enjoy the plants and wildlife and appreciate the timeless tranquillity of the area. This tour offers an interesting and relaxing experience of the countryside with the reassurance that you are never more than a few miles from the next delightful village. Attractions: Batsford Arboretum, Broadway Tower, Burford, Chedworth Roman Villa, Cotswold Farm Park, Cotswold Falconry, Cotswold Heritage Centre, Hidcote Manor Gardens, Kiftsgate Court, Mechanical Music Museum, Old Mill Museum, Sezincote Manor and Snowshill Village and Manor. This tour includes bed & breakfast accommodation, a tour pack (including colour coded route directions and a map), bicycle hire, luggage transfers and emergency telephone assistance.
11 days, 10 nights (2 day extension)
Average daily mileage: 14-31 miles (22-50 km) depending on chosen route.
Day 1 - Arrive in Cheltenham and settle in to your accomodation. Why not stretch your legs and explore this elegant regency town in the heart of the Cotswolds?
Day 2 - A short transfer will take you from Cheltenham up into the Cotswolds, where you will begin your ride to Moreton in Marsh. Ride through a selection of local Cotswold villages past picture postcard views to the delightful village of Snowshill, before continuing your journey to Moreton. On the way, why not take in the Manor House at Snowshill with its wonderful collection of historic artefacts, the traditional farm breeds at the Cotswold Wildlife Park or the Indian architecture of Sezincote House?
Day 3 - Involves a lovely circular route allowing you to explore the area surrounding Moreton. This route gives you the opportunity to see the gardens at Hidcote Manor or Kisgate Court before enjoying lunch in one of the charming Cotswold villages in the vicinity.
Day 4 - Cycling past the River Evenlode, day four will take you from Moreton in Marsh to Bourton on the Water via traditional Cotswold villages such as Stow-on-the-Wold and Upper Slaughter. Bourton-on-the-Water offers a unique country experience, with a range of attractions providing something for everyone.
Day 5 - This circular route allows the rider to explore the countryside and villages surrounding Bourton on the Water, including beautiful examples of 17th and 18th century architecture.
Day 6 - Bourton to Cirencester. This route includes visits to Northleach, an old market town, and Bibury, the most beautiful village in England according to artist William Morris. before continuing on to Cirencester.
Day 7 - Involves a circular route in and around Cirencester, including a visit to the village of Daglingworth, much of which is owned by Prince Charles.
Day 8 - Cirencester to Cheltenham, including visits to the Roman Villa at Chedworth and many of the pretty Cotswold villages.
Day 9 - A circular route from Cheltenham includes taking in a number of Cotswold villages including Stanton, 'the perfect village', Stanway with its romantic manor houses and Winchcombe, with the historic Sudeley Castle.
Day 10 - Circuit from Cheltenham to Crickley Hill and Chedworth Roman Villa along country roads and very small lanes with some quiet town roads. The ride takes you to see the Iron Age fort at Crickley Hill, one of the major archaeological sites in the country with a visitor centre and some great views. The route continues through Withington with its picturesque riverside pub and then on to Chedworth Roman Villa, a beautiful setting for the best exposed remains of a Roman country house in Britain. Mosaic floors, bath houses and even the heating system can all be seen along with a host of artefacts and museum that sets everything in context.
Day 11 - Depart.
B&B Price: £952.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
Hotel Price: £1066.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
10 days, 9 nights
This tour runs as the 11 day tour but misses day 10.
B&B Price: £871.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
Hotel Price: £986.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
9 days, 8 nights
This tour runs as the 11 day tour but misses days 6, 7 and 8.
Day 6 is replaced by:
Day 6 - Bourton to Cheltenham. Ride to Northleach, a handsome �wool� town with an excellent museum and large 15th century wool church. Continue past the Roman Villa set in beautiful woodland at Chedworth, where the mosaic floors and heating system can still be seen, then visit Withington's delightful inn before your final whizz down Ham Hill back to Cheltenham.
B&B Price: £791.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
Hotel Price: £906.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
8 days, 7 nights
This tour runs as the 11 day tour but misses days 6, 7, 8 and 9
Day 6 is replaced by:
Day 6 - Bourton to Cheltenham. Ride to Northleach, a handsome �wool� town with an excellent museum and large 15th century wool church. Continue past the Roman Villa set in beautiful woodland at Chedworth, where the mosaic floors and heating system can still be seen, then visit Withington's delightful inn before your final whizz down Ham Hill back to Cheltenham.
B&B Price: £728.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
Hotel Price: £760.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
7 days, 6 nights
This tour runs as the 11 day tour, but misses days 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10
Day 6 is replaced by:
Day 6 - Bourton to Cheltenham. Ride to Northleach, a handsome �wool� town with an excellent museum and large 15th Century wool church. Continue past the Roman Villa set in beautiful woodland at Chedworth, where the mosaic floors and heating system can still be seen, then visit Withingtons delightful inn before your final whizz down Ham Hill back to Cheltenham.
B&B Price: £647.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
Hotel Price: £680.00 (price per person, based on two people sharing)
