Cycle the Cotswolds: Oxford to Bath

Cycle the Cotswolds: Oxford to Bath

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6 Days From

$3148

$2835

Cycle the Cotswolds: Oxford to Bath

6 Days Starting in Oxford and ending in Bath

Visiting: Oxford, Bampton, Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Cirencester, Bath, Lacock, Bradford-on-Avon

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

MUO

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

6 - 16

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Trip Styles:

Active

Interests:

Cultural, Photography

Activities:

Cycling, Sightseeing, Walking

From:
$3148
$2835 (USD) Operator discount: -$313

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Discover Oxford, the Cotswolds and Bath, three picture-perfect illustrations of quintessential Englishness, on this culture-filled cycling adventure. We start in the university city of Oxford, where more than 30 prime ministers and 55 Nobel Prize winners attended world-acclaimed colleges, before beginning our cycling from beautiful Burford. It’s then into the Cotswolds, a rural idyll cradling a nostalgic mix of historic villages, rolling countryside and, of course, centuries-old pubs. We end our cycling in Bath, where we tour the 2,000-year-old Roman spa complex and admire the iconic honey-stone Georgian buildings.

Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here

Highlights

  • Walk in the footsteps of intellectual juggernauts on a tour of Oxford

  • Explore the 2,000-year-old Roman spa complex in Bath

  • Walk through Bibury, named the most beautiful village in England by William Morris

  • Discover the riverside village of Bourton-on-the-Water, nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds

  • Visit Bampton, where the village scenes in Downton Abbey were shot

Places You'll See

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Oxford Tour; Cycle To Burford

Location: Oxford, Bampton, Burford

Accommodation Name: The Prince of Burford

Meals Included: breakfastdinner

We meet at Oxford Train Station at 11am, where you can store your luggage in our vehicle. Please wear cycling clothing but not shoes, they can be changed later.



We then take a walking tour of Oxford, where we visit one of the prestigious colleges, stop at the historic Turf Tavern pub, and watch the punt boats drift along the river. We also pause for lunch before transferring to Bampton, where the Downton Abbey village scenes were shot. From here, we cycle to Burford, gateway to the Cotswolds, a centuries-old town on the River Windrush where ancient shops line the steep main street. This evening, we get to know each other a little better over a welcome dinner at our accommodation.



Ascent: 200ft (61m)



Accommodation: The Prince of Burford

Day 2 : Circular Ride From Burford Via Cotswold Villages

Location: Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford

Accommodation Name: The Prince of Burford

Meals Included: breakfast

Today we take a loop from Burford into the heart of the Cotswolds. We can stop for coffee at the riverside village of Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, and visit Stow-on-the-Wold, where the final battle of the first English civil war occurred in 1646, to explore the market square. We also pass through the small, privately owned village of Daylesford – stopping at the most exclusive farm shop in the country – and the twin villages of Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter before returning to Burford.



Ascent: 600ft (183m)



Accommodation: The Prince of Burford

Day 3 : Bike Into The South Cotswolds

Location: Bibury, Cirencester

Accommodation Name: The Bear at Rodborough

Meals Included: breakfast

Today we cycle to Bibury, named the most beautiful village in England by designer William Morris. We stop for a short walk past a row of 17th-century weavers’ cottages that, for good reason, has become a much-photographed tourist attraction.



We then cycle to Cirencester, where ancient Roman roads show just how important the city was to the empire. From here, we pass through Minchinhampton Common, a 452-acre (183ha) expanse of grassland and a biological and geological site of special scientific interest in Gloucestershire. From here, we head to the nearby village of Rodborough where we check into our next hotel.



Ascent: 500ft (152m)



Accommodation: The Bear at Rodborough

Day 4 : Bike Into Bath

Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne

Location: Bath

Accommodation Name: Hampton by Hilton Hotel

Meals Included: breakfast

We have an earlier start this morning to give us plenty of time to explore the city of Bath. We bike past King Charles' Highgrove estate and down into Bath along the Fosse Way, built in the second century by the Romans, and a canal path. This afternoon, we visit the eponymous Roman baths to see the 2,000-year-old spa complex and view archaeological relics from the pre-Roman and Roman Britain ages.



We then have free time to explore the city. There is so much to see in Bath, including the Royal Crescent, a sweeping row of 30 flawless Georgian homes, and the Jane Austen Centre, which delves into the work and life of the celebrated writer.



Ascent: 100ft (30m)



Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Hotel

Day 5 : Circular Ride Via Lacock And Bradford-On-Avon

Location: Lacock, Bradford-on-Avon

Accommodation Name: Hampton by Hilton Hotel

Meals Included: breakfastdinner

Today we enjoy a looped ride from Bath, taking in the village of Lacock and the town of Bradford-on-Avon. In the former, we see a 13th-century abbey built by Ela, Countess of Salisbury. In the latter, we enjoy a stop among the canals and historic buildings. After returning to Bath, we head to a restaurant for our farewell dinner where we can relive our adventures.



Ascent: 200ft (183m)



Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Hotel

Day 6 : Trip Ends At Bath Spa Railway Station

Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne

Location: Bath

Meals Included: breakfast

We enjoy one last breakfast this morning before a transfer to Bath Spa Railway Station for our onward journeys.

What's Included

  • Five nights in hotels

  • All breakfasts, two dinners

  • Luggage transfer

  • Support vehicle

  • Two leaders for groups of six or more

  • Entrance to the Roman Baths

  • Bikes and helmets (though people should bring their own helmet if possible)

What's Not Included

  • Single Supplement

  • Flights

  • Insurance

  • Visas

Food

All breakfasts and two dinners are included.

Accommodation

We stay in three hotels throughout this tour.



In Burford, we stay at The Prince of Burford, an 18th-century coaching inn turned 16-room hotel. End your day of cycling with a pint at the traditional bar or in the sunny beer garden.



In Rodborough, we stay at The Bear at Rodborough, a cosy retreat centred on a 17th-century coaching inn built on National Trust-owned land. There’s a splendid bar and beer garden here too for your post-day drinks.



In Bath, we stay at the Hampton by Hilton, which is ideally located just 10 minutes from the museums and historical sites of the city.

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.

Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Jun 09, 2024 - Jun 14, 2024
$3148 $2835 (USD)

Operator discount: -$313 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 13, 2024
$3150 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
$3450 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025
$3450 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Aug 24, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
$3450 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025
$3450 (USD)

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.

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