Oxford to Bath Cycle
Oxford to Bath Cycle
Oxford to Bath Cycle
9 Days Starting in Oxford and ending in Bath
Visiting: Oxford, Woodstock, Burford, Bibury, Cirencester, Tetbury, Castle Combe, Bath
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C08OX
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Medium, Low, Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
12 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
From the city of Oxford, home to the oldest university in England, cycle between the villages of the southern Cotswolds on your way to Bath, with its Roman baths and stunning Georgian architecture. Beautiful scenery, charming villages and some outstanding Estates will be seen along the way through England's 2nd largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.This 8 night cycling holiday starts in the city of Oxford before heading off along the Oxford Canal towards the Georgian town of Woodstock. You route takes you through some of the best of the Cotswold villages including Minster Lovell with its Cotswold stone and thatched cottages on the River Windrush, the medieval town of Burford and Bibury, 'The most beautiful village in England' according to William Morris. Stay in Castle Combe, used as the film set location for War Horse where you can admire the pretty high street which is lined with former weavers' cottages.Discover some of England's Roman history with a visit to Chedworth Roman Villa with its spectacular mosaics, Cirencester, the second largest town in Britain during Roman times and head to the Roman baths in Bath.Overnight accommodation is in a range of warm, welcoming and friendly B&Bs and Inns, many of which are in historic buildings.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Oxford
Location: Oxford
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Oxford Coach & Horses or similar
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive in Oxford. Visit some of the treasures of the city from the Bodleian
Library to the Ashmolean.Staying overnight at Oxford Coach & Horses or
similar
Day 2 : Oxford To Woodstock
Location: Oxford, Woodstock
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Kings Arms or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Follow the canal out of Oxford with pubs and tea shops available for a
pit-stop. Leave the canal and visit Rousham Gardens, designed by William Kent
in the 18th Century which remains much as he left it. Continue on to
Woodstock and time permitting visit Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage
site.
Day 3 : Woodstock To Burford
Location: Woodstock, Burford
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Highway Inn or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave Woodstock through Blenheim Park with another opportunity to visit the
Palace and Gardens. Follow country lanes through farmland and visit
picturesque villages like Minster Lovell and Swinbrook on the way to Burford,
known for its its three-arched medieval bridge.
Day 4 : Burford To Bibury
Location: Burford, Bibury
Accommodation: Homestay
Accommodation Name: Cotteswold House B&B or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Follow the River Windrush towards Sherborne with a chance to visit the
National Trusts' Sherborne Park Estate before continuing to Northleach where
you can find half-timbered buildings and merchants' houses dating from the
15th and 16th centuries. There are two short detours off the main route to
visit Chedworth Roman Villa and North Cerney Gardens before turning towards
Bibury and follow the River Coln into this beautiful village
Day 5 : Bibury To Cirencester
Location: Bibury, Cirencester
Accommodation: Homestay
Accommodation Name: The Old Brewhouse or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
The route goes to Cricklade via Fairford, known for its fine 'wool' church
and once an important coaching town, and then turns toward Cirencester and
follows a cycle route through the lakes, near the Thames Path. Cirencester,
the 'capital of the Cotswolds' has many attractions including the Corinium
Museum, dedicated to the city's Roman history and the Abbey grounds, site of
St Mary's Abbey.
Day 6 : Cirencester To Tetbury
Location: Cirencester, Tetbury
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Royal Oak or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today the route is shorter allowing time for visiting one (or more) of three
spectacular Estates. Rodmarton Manor (open Wednesdays and Saturdays) is a
unique 20th Century Arts and Crafts Manor with an 8 acre Cotswold garden;
Chavenage House (open Thursdays and Sundays) is an Elizabethan house of
mellow grey Cotswold stone and was used in the Poldark series as 'Trenwith',
the Poldark family home. After arriving in Tetbury it is also possible to go
by taxi (pay locally) to Highgrove Royal Gardens, the private residence of
HRH The Prince of Wales. (Early booking essential)
Day 7 : Tetbury To Castle Combe
Location: Tetbury, Castle Combe
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Castle Inn or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
A short cycle ride takes you to Westonbirt Arboretum, the National Arboretum
has one of the most beautiful and important plant collections in the world.
Continue through the village of Sherston and on to the picturesque village of
Castle Combe.
Day 8 : Castle Combe To Bath
Location: Castle Combe, Bath
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Apple Tree Guesthouse or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today there is a choice of a longer or shorter route - the shorter option is
a direct route into Bath allowing more time exploring the city. The longer
route is an exciting ride through the villages of Biddeston and Lacock. The
route turns onto the cycle path by the canal at Semington and follows it all
the way into Bath via Bradford-on-Avon.
Day 9 : Leave Bath
Location: Bath
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Bath after breakfast.
What's Included
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Local Bike hire
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8 nights hotel to hotel accommodation in 3, 4 and 5 star hotels
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Breakfasts daily
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Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
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GPS Route directions and maps
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Luggage transfers between hotels
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Meals
8 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Visas & vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Hotel upgrades
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Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Accommodation
OXFORD COACH AND HORSES, OXFORD3 StarJust a 10-minute walk from Oxford City centre, the Oxford Coach & Horses is built on the site of an old coaching inn dating from the 18th Century, said to be the last in Oxford before the road to London. Rooms are modern and comfortable. BLENHEIM BUTTERY. WOODSTOCK4 StarBased in the centre of Woodstock, the 17th Century building houses 6 ensuite rooms and the breakfast room overlooks the market square. THE ANGEL INN, BURFORD4 StarThe Angel at Burford has been run by The King family since 2011 and is loved by both visitors and locals for it’s blend of Cotswold charm, delicious food and drink and a warm, friendly welcome. The rooms are modern, comfortable and furnished in a relaxed and cosy Cotswold style. COTTESWOLD HOUSE, BIBURY3 StarCotteswold House offers well appointed bed & breakfast and self-catering accommodation. Furnished to a high standard of quality and comfort, you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Set in Bibury, described as the most beautiful village in England, Cotteswold House is an ideal location for touring the Cotswolds. THE OLD BREWHOUSE, CIRENCESTER4 StarThe Old Brewhouse in Cirencester is a delightful 17th Century town house bed and breakfast full of charm and character, sympathetically restored and refurbished offering high quality bed and breakfast accommodation. THE ROYAL OAK, TETBURY4 StarThe Royal Oak Tetbury is a charming and friendly public house dating from the late 18th century and restored back to the community in 2013 following extensive restoration. Rooms are modern, comfortable and well equipped. CASTLE INN, CASTLE COMBE4 StarThe Castle Inn is a 12th century inn located in the heart of Castle Combe which has been lovingly restored to offer you a classic Cotswolds pub and B&B. It has had an extensive and considerate restoration to preserve, yet enhance, the charm of this beautiful historic building. APPLE TREE GUESSTHOUSE, BATH5 StarApple Tree Guesthouse is a Victorian property in the centre of Bath. All rooms are individually themed with an elegant blend of English and Asian artwork where East meets West, fresh cotton bedlinen and modern facilities.
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!
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
No vaccinations are obligatory.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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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.
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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.
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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
Book with Confidence
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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.
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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.
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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.