Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
England: Cotswolds & Stonehenge Bike Tour
DURATION
6 Day(s)
DAILY BIKING
10 to 40 Miles
TRIP DIFFICULTY
2-Easier to Intermediate
STARTING FROM
$3595
SINGLES ADD FROM
$600
Trip Overview
Join us for an outstanding bike tour of the beautiful Cotswolds region of England. This gorgeous area west of London is known for its historic villages built of golden stone, and picturesque hills and valleys — and as an inspiration for many famous authors, including Jane Austen when she wrote "Pride and Prejudice." This tour introduces you to stunning rural settings — and includes bonus visits to outstanding prehistoric sites, like Stonehenge and Avebury.
For royalty and history enthusiasts, there’s a tour of Windsor Castle and cycling around the home of Prince Charles as well as a visit to Winston Churchill’s Blenheim Palace, often described as England’s greatest palace, with England’s greatest view!
Savor the quiet cycling on a canal path and on rural byways plus visits to historical gems like Bath, where you can still visit Roman-era baths — and the Jane Austen Centre. Experience the color of local pubs and friendly British hospitality.
A local guide will accompany you and drive the van … along with a seasoned Discovery Bicycle Tours leader. You’ll enjoy fine inns and delicious foods along with historic sites you can only see in Britain.
This tour is not to be missed!
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
DAY 1 - Arrival Day
Distance: 10 to 24 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Lamb Inn in Burford
Meet at London’s Paddington Train Station at 8:30 a.m. at platform one underneath the clock. Hop in the van and transfer less than an hour to Windsor. Get fitted for your bike and take a warm-up ride of 10 to 15 miles around Windsor Great Park, where the royal family used to go hunting and still plays polo on Smith’s Lawn. Enjoy lunch, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle, home to the Queen and the royal family for over 900 years. Transfer by van — or choose an optional ride — to the hotel in the wonderful Burford, where you’ll have an orientation meeting followed by a delicious dinner.
Meet at London’s Paddington Train Station at 8:30 a.m. at platform one underneath the clock. Hop in the van and transfer less than an hour to Windsor. Get fitted for your bike and take a warm-up ride of 10 to 15 miles around Windsor Great Park, where the royal family used to go hunting and still plays polo on Smith’s Lawn. Enjoy lunch, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle, home to the Queen and the royal family for over 900 years. Transfer by van — or choose an optional ride — to the hotel in the wonderful Burford, where you’ll have an orientation meeting followed by a delicious dinner.
DAY 2 - The Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace
Distance: 20 to 40 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Lamb Inn in Burford
You set off from the hotel and straight into the beautiful Cotswolds, biking the 20 miles to the home of Winston Churchill and World Heritage Site at Blenheim Palace. Most of the biking is in the morning as there is so much to see and do at the Palace. Walk around the stunning gardens — designed in the 1700s by famous landscape architect Capability Brown — tour the historic and beautifully preserved palace, visit Churchill’s grave and see many more interesting sites along the way. Lunch is in one of the cafes in the palace, and there is the option to bike all the way to the hotel in the afternoon, or bike halfway, or not at all — it’s totally up to you! Stay again at the Bay Tree in Burford often eating alfresco in the stunning garden.
You set off from the hotel and straight into the beautiful Cotswolds, biking the 20 miles to the home of Winston Churchill and World Heritage Site at Blenheim Palace. Most of the biking is in the morning as there is so much to see and do at the Palace. Walk around the stunning gardens — designed in the 1700s by famous landscape architect Capability Brown — tour the historic and beautifully preserved palace, visit Churchill’s grave and see many more interesting sites along the way. Lunch is in one of the cafes in the palace, and there is the option to bike all the way to the hotel in the afternoon, or bike halfway, or not at all — it’s totally up to you! Stay again at the Bay Tree in Burford often eating alfresco in the stunning garden.
DAY 3 - Cotswold villages
Distance: Distance: 30 miles | Terrain: Easier | Hare & Hounds in Tetbury
Head south today into the Cotswolds, stopping at Bibury (a village so beautiful that Henry Ford wanted to pick up the whole village and take it back stateside!). Enjoy a coffee break here before skirting north of Cirencester — the capital of the Cotswolds — and on to the Bell at Sapperton for lunch. This is possibly one of the greatest pubs known to mankind! In the afternoon you head toward Tetbury and bike around the back of Prince Charles’s house at Highgrove before arriving at the Hare and Hounds, your next hotel.
Head south today into the Cotswolds, stopping at Bibury (a village so beautiful that Henry Ford wanted to pick up the whole village and take it back stateside!). Enjoy a coffee break here before skirting north of Cirencester — the capital of the Cotswolds — and on to the Bell at Sapperton for lunch. This is possibly one of the greatest pubs known to mankind! In the afternoon you head toward Tetbury and bike around the back of Prince Charles’s house at Highgrove before arriving at the Hare and Hounds, your next hotel.
DAY 4 - Mysterious Stonehenge
Distance: 20 to 30 miles | Terrain: Easier | Hare & Hounds in Tetbury
You bike to the wonderful hamlet of Lacock in the Southern Cotswolds, down tiny Cotswold roads and through picture-postcard villages. Lacock is a very famous village, owned by the National Trust and so old it looks like a film set! It is, of course, a film set, and in recent years has been in Harry Potter and the Downton Abbey film. You lunch in Lacock before transferring to Stonehenge for a good look around the historic monument. In the late afternoon, and if time allows, we detour to Avebury, a village completely surrounded by a 400-square-meter circle of standing stones. You are on your own for dinner tonight.
You bike to the wonderful hamlet of Lacock in the Southern Cotswolds, down tiny Cotswold roads and through picture-postcard villages. Lacock is a very famous village, owned by the National Trust and so old it looks like a film set! It is, of course, a film set, and in recent years has been in Harry Potter and the Downton Abbey film. You lunch in Lacock before transferring to Stonehenge for a good look around the historic monument. In the late afternoon, and if time allows, we detour to Avebury, a village completely surrounded by a 400-square-meter circle of standing stones. You are on your own for dinner tonight.
DAY 5 - Famous Roman Baths
Distance: 25 to 32 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Francis Hotel in Bath
You bike down into Bath via a 2,000-year-old Roman Road called the Fosse Way. It’s straight as an arrow and takes you almost to the center of the World Heritage Site that is the City of Bath. You pedal right into the heart of the city, via a traffic-free canal path, for lunch at the Holburne Museum and then an afternoon visit to the Roman baths with options to explore the Jane Austen Centre and the sumptuous section of homes known as the Royal Crescent. Bath also has great shopping and restaurants. Dinner is all together for our last night’s celebration.
You bike down into Bath via a 2,000-year-old Roman Road called the Fosse Way. It’s straight as an arrow and takes you almost to the center of the World Heritage Site that is the City of Bath. You pedal right into the heart of the city, via a traffic-free canal path, for lunch at the Holburne Museum and then an afternoon visit to the Roman baths with options to explore the Jane Austen Centre and the sumptuous section of homes known as the Royal Crescent. Bath also has great shopping and restaurants. Dinner is all together for our last night’s celebration.
DAY 6 - Departure Day
Depart after breakfast, and one free shuttle is offered to the Bath train station around 9 a.m. If you choose to leave later in the day, either walk or take a taxi to the Bath railway station for train back to London and the airports. Taxis or trains can also be organized to other locations if you are continuing your travels.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
DAY 1 - Arrival Day
Distance: 10 to 24 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Bay Tree in Burford
Meet at London’s Paddington Train Station at 8:30 a.m. at platform one underneath the clock. Hop in the van and transfer less than an hour to Windsor. Get fitted for your bike and take a warm-up ride of 10 to 15 miles around Windsor Great Park, where the royal family used to go hunting and still plays polo on Smith’s Lawn. Enjoy lunch, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle, home to the Queen and the royal family for over 900 years. Transfer by van — or choose an optional ride — to the hotel in the wonderful Burford, where you’ll have an orientation meeting followed by a delicious dinner.
Meet at London’s Paddington Train Station at 8:30 a.m. at platform one underneath the clock. Hop in the van and transfer less than an hour to Windsor. Get fitted for your bike and take a warm-up ride of 10 to 15 miles around Windsor Great Park, where the royal family used to go hunting and still plays polo on Smith’s Lawn. Enjoy lunch, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle, home to the Queen and the royal family for over 900 years. Transfer by van — or choose an optional ride — to the hotel in the wonderful Burford, where you’ll have an orientation meeting followed by a delicious dinner.
DAY 2 - The Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace
Distance: 20 to 40 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Bay Tree in Burford
You set off from the hotel and straight into the beautiful Cotswolds, biking the 20 miles to the home of Winston Churchill and World Heritage Site at Blenheim Palace. Most of the biking is in the morning as there is so much to see and do at the Palace. Walk around the stunning gardens — designed in the 1700s by famous landscape architect Capability Brown — tour the historic and beautifully preserved palace, visit Churchill’s grave and see many more interesting sites along the way. Lunch is in one of the cafes in the palace, and there is the option to bike all the way to the hotel in the afternoon, or bike halfway, or not at all — it’s totally up to you! Stay again at the Bay Tree in Burford often eating alfresco in the stunning garden.
You set off from the hotel and straight into the beautiful Cotswolds, biking the 20 miles to the home of Winston Churchill and World Heritage Site at Blenheim Palace. Most of the biking is in the morning as there is so much to see and do at the Palace. Walk around the stunning gardens — designed in the 1700s by famous landscape architect Capability Brown — tour the historic and beautifully preserved palace, visit Churchill’s grave and see many more interesting sites along the way. Lunch is in one of the cafes in the palace, and there is the option to bike all the way to the hotel in the afternoon, or bike halfway, or not at all — it’s totally up to you! Stay again at the Bay Tree in Burford often eating alfresco in the stunning garden.
DAY 3 - Cotwold villages
Distance: Distance: 30 miles | Terrain: Easier | Hare & Hounds in Tetbury
Marvel at the wonderful Cotswold villages, thatched roofs and England as it must have been 300+ years ago. Stop in Bibury for coffee — a village so pretty that Henry Ford wanted to pick up the whole thing and take it back to America. Enjoy lunch at the Bell at Sapperton. Then bike on to the Hare & Hounds close to Prince Charles’ home. After a wonderful, relaxing (and flatter) day in the saddle, dine together at a wonderful pub called the Cat and Custard Pot.
Marvel at the wonderful Cotswold villages, thatched roofs and England as it must have been 300+ years ago. Stop in Bibury for coffee — a village so pretty that Henry Ford wanted to pick up the whole thing and take it back to America. Enjoy lunch at the Bell at Sapperton. Then bike on to the Hare & Hounds close to Prince Charles’ home. After a wonderful, relaxing (and flatter) day in the saddle, dine together at a wonderful pub called the Cat and Custard Pot.
DAY 4 - Mysterious Stonehenge
Distance: 20 to 30 miles | Terrain: Easier | Hare & Hounds in Tetbury
You bike to the wonderful hamlet of Lacock in the Southern Cotswolds, down tiny Cotswold roads and through picture-postcard villages. Lacock is a very famous village, owned by the National Trust and so old it looks like a film set! It is, of course, a film set, and in recent years has been in Harry Potter and the Downton Abbey film. You lunch in Lacock before transferring to Stonehenge for a good look around the historic monument. In the late afternoon, and if time allows, we detour to Avebury, a village completely surrounded by a 400-square-meter circle of standing stones. You are on your own for dinner tonight.
You bike to the wonderful hamlet of Lacock in the Southern Cotswolds, down tiny Cotswold roads and through picture-postcard villages. Lacock is a very famous village, owned by the National Trust and so old it looks like a film set! It is, of course, a film set, and in recent years has been in Harry Potter and the Downton Abbey film. You lunch in Lacock before transferring to Stonehenge for a good look around the historic monument. In the late afternoon, and if time allows, we detour to Avebury, a village completely surrounded by a 400-square-meter circle of standing stones. You are on your own for dinner tonight.
DAY 5 - Famous Roman Baths
Distance: 25 to 32 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Francis Hotel in Bath
You bike down into Bath via a 2,000-year-old Roman Road called the Fosse Way. It’s straight as an arrow and takes you almost to the center of the World Heritage Site that is the City of Bath. You pedal right into the heart of the city, via a traffic-free canal path, for lunch at the Holburne Museum and then an afternoon visit to the Roman baths with options to explore the Jane Austen Centre and the sumptuous section of homes known as the Royal Crescent. Bath also has great shopping and restaurants. Dinner is all together for our last night’s celebration.
You bike down into Bath via a 2,000-year-old Roman Road called the Fosse Way. It’s straight as an arrow and takes you almost to the center of the World Heritage Site that is the City of Bath. You pedal right into the heart of the city, via a traffic-free canal path, for lunch at the Holburne Museum and then an afternoon visit to the Roman baths with options to explore the Jane Austen Centre and the sumptuous section of homes known as the Royal Crescent. Bath also has great shopping and restaurants. Dinner is all together for our last night’s celebration.
DAY 6 - Departure Day
Depart after breakfast, and one free shuttle is offered to the Bath train station around 9 a.m. If you choose to leave later in the day, either walk or take a taxi to the Bath railway station for train back to London and the airports. Taxis or trains can also be organized to other locations if you are continuing your travels.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
DAY 1 - Arrival Day
Distance: 10 to 24 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Bay Tree in Burford
Meet at London’s Paddington Train Station at 8:30 a.m. at platform one underneath the clock. Hop in the van and transfer less than an hour to Windsor. Get fitted for your bike and take a warm-up ride of 10 to 15 miles around Windsor Great Park, where the royal family used to go hunting and still plays polo on Smith’s Lawn. Enjoy lunch, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle, home to the Queen and the royal family for over 900 years. Transfer by van — or choose an optional ride — to the hotel in the wonderful Burford, where you’ll have an orientation meeting followed by a delicious dinner.
Meet at London’s Paddington Train Station at 8:30 a.m. at platform one underneath the clock. Hop in the van and transfer less than an hour to Windsor. Get fitted for your bike and take a warm-up ride of 10 to 15 miles around Windsor Great Park, where the royal family used to go hunting and still plays polo on Smith’s Lawn. Enjoy lunch, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle, home to the Queen and the royal family for over 900 years. Transfer by van — or choose an optional ride — to the hotel in the wonderful Burford, where you’ll have an orientation meeting followed by a delicious dinner.
DAY 2 - The Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace
Distance: 20 to 40 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Bay Tree in Burford
You set off from the hotel and straight into the beautiful Cotswolds, biking the 20 miles to the home of Winston Churchill and World Heritage Site at Blenheim Palace. Most of the biking is in the morning as there is so much to see and do at the Palace. Walk around the stunning gardens — designed in the 1700s by famous landscape architect Capability Brown — tour the historic and beautifully preserved palace, visit Churchill’s grave and see many more interesting sites along the way. Lunch is in one of the cafes in the palace, and there is the option to bike all the way to the hotel in the afternoon, or bike halfway, or not at all — it’s totally up to you! Stay again at the Bay Tree in Burford often eating alfresco in the stunning garden.
You set off from the hotel and straight into the beautiful Cotswolds, biking the 20 miles to the home of Winston Churchill and World Heritage Site at Blenheim Palace. Most of the biking is in the morning as there is so much to see and do at the Palace. Walk around the stunning gardens — designed in the 1700s by famous landscape architect Capability Brown — tour the historic and beautifully preserved palace, visit Churchill’s grave and see many more interesting sites along the way. Lunch is in one of the cafes in the palace, and there is the option to bike all the way to the hotel in the afternoon, or bike halfway, or not at all — it’s totally up to you! Stay again at the Bay Tree in Burford often eating alfresco in the stunning garden.
DAY 3 - Cotwold villages
Distance: Distance: 30 miles | Terrain: Easier | Hare & Hounds in Tetbury
Marvel at the wonderful Cotswold villages, thatched roofs and England as it must have been 300+ years ago. Stop in Bibury for coffee — a village so pretty that Henry Ford wanted to pick up the whole thing and take it back to America. Enjoy lunch at the Bell at Sapperton. Then bike on to the Hare & Hounds close to Prince Charles’ home. After a wonderful, relaxing (and flatter) day in the saddle, dine together at a wonderful pub called the Cat and Custard Pot.
Marvel at the wonderful Cotswold villages, thatched roofs and England as it must have been 300+ years ago. Stop in Bibury for coffee — a village so pretty that Henry Ford wanted to pick up the whole thing and take it back to America. Enjoy lunch at the Bell at Sapperton. Then bike on to the Hare & Hounds close to Prince Charles’ home. After a wonderful, relaxing (and flatter) day in the saddle, dine together at a wonderful pub called the Cat and Custard Pot.
DAY 4 - Mysterious Stonehenge
Distance: 20 to 30 miles | Terrain: Easier | Hare & Hounds in Tetbury
You bike to the wonderful hamlet of Lacock in the Southern Cotswolds, down tiny Cotswold roads and through picture-postcard villages. Lacock is a very famous village, owned by the National Trust and so old it looks like a film set! It is, of course, a film set, and in recent years has been in Harry Potter and the Downton Abbey film. You lunch in Lacock before transferring to Stonehenge for a good look around the historic monument. In the late afternoon, and if time allows, we detour to Avebury, a village completely surrounded by a 400-square-meter circle of standing stones. You are on your own for dinner tonight.
You bike to the wonderful hamlet of Lacock in the Southern Cotswolds, down tiny Cotswold roads and through picture-postcard villages. Lacock is a very famous village, owned by the National Trust and so old it looks like a film set! It is, of course, a film set, and in recent years has been in Harry Potter and the Downton Abbey film. You lunch in Lacock before transferring to Stonehenge for a good look around the historic monument. In the late afternoon, and if time allows, we detour to Avebury, a village completely surrounded by a 400-square-meter circle of standing stones. You are on your own for dinner tonight.
DAY 5 - Famous Roman Baths
Distance: 25 to 32 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Francis Hotel in Bath
You bike down into Bath via a 2,000-year-old Roman Road called the Fosse Way. It’s straight as an arrow and takes you almost to the center of the World Heritage Site that is the City of Bath. You pedal right into the heart of the city, via a traffic-free canal path, for lunch at the Holburne Museum and then an afternoon visit to the Roman baths with options to explore the Jane Austen Centre and the sumptuous section of homes known as the Royal Crescent. Bath also has great shopping and restaurants. Dinner is all together for our last night’s celebration.
You bike down into Bath via a 2,000-year-old Roman Road called the Fosse Way. It’s straight as an arrow and takes you almost to the center of the World Heritage Site that is the City of Bath. You pedal right into the heart of the city, via a traffic-free canal path, for lunch at the Holburne Museum and then an afternoon visit to the Roman baths with options to explore the Jane Austen Centre and the sumptuous section of homes known as the Royal Crescent. Bath also has great shopping and restaurants. Dinner is all together for our last night’s celebration.
DAY 6 - Departure Day
Depart after breakfast, and one free shuttle is offered to the Bath train station around 9 a.m. If you choose to leave later in the day, either walk or take a taxi to the Bath railway station for train back to London and the airports. Taxis or trains can also be organized to other locations if you are continuing your travels.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners (lunches are on your own — so you can ride at your own pace — and you are on your own for dinner one night in Tetbury) all gratuities for accommodations and included meals. We supply detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support, hybrid bicycle, and helmet. Transfer from Paddington Station in London to start of riding. Airfare and alcohol not included.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners (lunches are on your own — so you can ride at your own pace — and you are on your own for dinner one night in Tetbury) all gratuities for accommodations and included meals. We supply detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support, hybrid bicycle, and helmet. Transfer from Paddington Station in London to start of riding. Airfare and alcohol not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
The Lamb Inn in Burford
Escape the fast pace of every day life with a visit to The Lamb Inn. Located along a peaceful side street in the historic market town of Burford, seize the opportunity to sink into a relaxing ambiance of pure bliss.
Francis Hotel
The Francis Hotel boasts splendidly vibrant interiors that celebrate the vivaciousness and charm of the Regency period. Step inside an exemplary ensemble of Georgian townhouses on the World Heritage Site of Bath’s original classic square. The building itself is a magnificent example of Georgian architecture in the heart of Bath, a World Heritage Site, home to a myriad of attractions to be discovered, from the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent to the Jane Austen Centre.
Hare & Hounds in Tetbury
Retreat to the Cotswolds for the ultimate escape from everyday life. At The Hare and Hounds Hotel in Tetbury, no day is ever the same and no words will ever quite do it justice. Say they're a traditional country hotel in the heart of The Cotswolds and you’d be on the right track. With a warm, personal service in a home away from home, you really don’t have to lift a finger.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Bay Tree Hotel Burford
Nestled away on a quiet side street in the historic town of Burford, The Bay Tree is the perfect hideaway to escape the buzz of everyday life. Enjoy a tranquil stay at this historic property updated with modern conveniences. You'll appreciate the exposed beams, flagstone floors and large fireplaces ... along with charming furnishings and artwork.
Francis Hotel
The Francis Hotel boasts splendidly vibrant interiors that celebrate the vivaciousness and charm of the Regency period. Step inside an exemplary ensemble of Georgian townhouses on the World Heritage Site of Bath’s original classic square. The building itself is a magnificent example of Georgian architecture in the heart of Bath, a World Heritage Site, home to a myriad of attractions to be discovered, from the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent to the Jane Austen Centre.
Hare & Hounds in Tetbury
Retreat to the Cotswolds for the ultimate escape from everyday life. At The Hare and Hounds Hotel in Tetbury, no day is ever the same and no words will ever quite do it justice. Say they're a traditional country hotel in the heart of The Cotswolds and you’d be on the right track. With a warm, personal service in a home away from home, you really don’t have to lift a finger.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Bay Tree Hotel Burford
Nestled away on a quiet side street in the historic town of Burford, The Bay Tree is the perfect hideaway to escape the buzz of everyday life. Enjoy a tranquil stay at this historic property updated with modern conveniences. You'll appreciate the exposed beams, flagstone floors and large fireplaces ... along with charming furnishings and artwork.
Francis Hotel
The Francis Hotel boasts splendidly vibrant interiors that celebrate the vivaciousness and charm of the Regency period. Step inside an exemplary ensemble of Georgian townhouses on the World Heritage Site of Bath’s original classic square. The building itself is a magnificent example of Georgian architecture in the heart of Bath, a World Heritage Site, home to a myriad of attractions to be discovered, from the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent to the Jane Austen Centre.
Hare & Hounds in Tetbury
Retreat to the Cotswolds for the ultimate escape from everyday life. At The Hare and Hounds Hotel in Tetbury, no day is ever the same and no words will ever quite do it justice. Say they're a traditional country hotel in the heart of The Cotswolds and you’d be on the right track. With a warm, personal service in a home away from home, you really don’t have to lift a finger.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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