Classic Cotswolds Activities

Classic Cotswolds Activities

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Classic Cotswolds Activities

8 Days Starting and ending in Moreton-in-Marsh

Visiting: Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden, Winchcombe, Bourton-on-the-Water

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

M07CW

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Medium, Moderate

Age range:

12 to 99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Interests:

Cultural, Photography

Activities:

Cycling, Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

The Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has scenic rolling hills and meadows and a wealth of quintessentially English villages of honey-coloured stone buildings. You'll visit world-famous villages including Chipping Campden and the Slaughters and have the chance to visit Broadway Tower Country Park and Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property full of extraordinary treasures. Overnight stays are in Moreton-in-Marsh, a town that dates back 1000 years, the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe with Sudeley Castle close by and Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. There are lots of options each day for places to eat lunch and dinner.

Highlights

  • Explore the beautiful scenery of the Cotswolds - England's 2nd largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - rolling hills and honey-coloured villages by bike and on foot

  • Visit the market towns of Chipping Campden, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold

  • Stay in the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe and visit Sudeley Castle (last resting place of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's 6th wife)

  • Outstanding views across the Cotswolds from Broadway Tower Country Park

  • Stunning gardens and historical manor houses including National Trust gardens

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive In Moreton-In-Marsh
Location: Moreton-in-Marsh

Arrive in Moreton-in-Marsh and explore some of the antique shops and art
galleries. Stay overnight at The White Hart Royal Hotel or similar

Day 2 : Moreton-In-Marsh To Winchcombe (Via Chipping Campden)
Location: Chipping Campden, Winchcombe
Meals Included: breakfast

Depending on your day of arrival, you will be met at 9am for your briefing
and will be provided with your bikes for the holiday, adjusted to your
specifications. Cycle along country lanes into Chipping Campden, known for
its elegant High Street. Continue uphill to Broadway Tower Country Park,
worth a detour for the amazing views of the Cotswolds. You'll then pass
through the lavender fields at Snowshill, an amazing kick to the senses
around harvest time (early July). Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property
full of the extraordinary treasures collected by Charles Wade, can also be
visited before continuing on through Stanway and on to Winchcombe. Stay
overnight at The White Hart Inn or similar

Day 3 : Winchcombe Circular Walk Through The Sudeley Valley Or To Belas Knap
Location: Winchcombe
Meals Included: breakfast

Today you have a choice of two 9km walks, one walk takes you through the
Sudeley Valley, across fields up to St Kenelm's Well for views over
Winchcombe and the surrounding countryside before returning to Winchcombe via
Sudeley Castle. The alternative walk follows a section of the Cotswold Way
through farm and woodland to Belas Knap, a neolithic, chambered long barrow.
Or, do both! Stay overnight at The White Hart Inn or similar

Day 4 : Winchcombe To Bourton-On-The-Water
Location: Bourton-on-the-Water
Meals Included: breakfast

Cycle through the charming villages of Guiting Power, Lower Swell and Lower
Slaughter, all of which will offer ideal chocolate-box photo opportunities.
There will be plenty of chances to stop for refreshments, from the 'post
office' in Guiting Power offering superb tea and cake, to the wonderful
Slaughters Country Inn with its lovely garden. Continue to
Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' and your base
for the next 3 nights.Stay overnight at The Manor Close B&B or similar

Day 5 : Bourton-On-The-Water Circular Cycle Loop Through The Barringtons
Location: Bourton-on-the-Water
Meals Included: breakfast

Today's cycle route takes you through the beautiful villages of Great
Rissington and Great Barrington on some of the best 'off the beaten track'
routes in the Cotswolds. There is an optional extension of the route to visit
Burford with its charming high street sloping down to the Windrush river and
Northleach with its beautiful wool church and museum of Mechanical Music
before returning to Winchcombe. Stay overnight at The Manor Close B&B or
similar

Day 6 : Bourton-On-The-Water Circular Walk Through The Slaughters
Location: Bourton-on-the-Water
Meals Included: breakfast

You have a choice of a longer or shorter walking route today. The longer
route takes you first along the River Windrush to Naunton with its ancient
dovecote and continues through Upper and Lower Slaughter, the shorter route
takes you on a loop though the Slaughters allowing more time to explore these
pretty villages. Stay overnight at The Manor Close B&B or similar.

Day 7 : Bourton-On-The-Water To Moreton-In-Marsh
Location: Moreton-in-Marsh
Meals Included: breakfast

Return to Moreton-in-Marsh through the Evenlode valley with a choice of three
routes, direct to Morteon-in-Marsh, with a detour to historic Stow-on-the
Wold, the highest of the Cotswold towns, located on the Roman Fosse Way or to
the pretty villages of Bledington, Kingham and Churchill. Stay overnight at
The White Hart Royal Hotel or similar.

Day 8 : Leave Moreton-In-Marsh
Location: Moreton-in-Marsh
Meals Included: breakfast

Depart after breakfast.

What's Included

  • Luggage transfers

  • All accommodation

  • All Breakfasts

  • Route directions and maps with navigation app

  • High quality bikes

  • Meals

    7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.

  • All BreakfastsAll accommodationHigh quality bikesRoute directions and maps with navigation appLuggage transfers

What's Not Included

  • Visas & vaccinations

  • Electric bike hire upgrade

  • Hotel upgrades

  • Transfers to and from hotels

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

  • Hotel upgradesElectric bike hire upgradeTransfers to and from hotelsTravel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)Visas & vaccinations

Food

Enjoy the local cuisine in quintessentially British pubs, cafes and delicatessens - local delicacies include Cerney Ash or Stinking Bishop cheeses, Crackleberry Farm eggs, Cotswold Cream liqueur and the local ales - try the Yubby beer from the Yubberton Brewery Co. There's also the archetypal English Cream Teas that go down a treat with a nice hot cup of tea!

Accommodation

Overnight stays are in Moreton-in-Marsh, a town that dates back 1000 years, the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe with Sudeley Castle close by and Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. Accommodation is in a mix of friendly inns and B&Bs with breakfast included daily.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.