Cycling in the Heart of the Cotswolds
- Pedal through the quintessential Cotswold countryside, a jewel of England
- Observe the changing light reflect off honey-coloured cottages and green hills
- Explore Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare’s birthplace
- Experience delicious gourmet food in cosy local pubs and restaurants
- Wander through the diverse gardens at Sezincote and Stanway
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Moreton-on-MarshToday you will arrive in Moreton-on-Marsh located at the head of the beautiful Evenlode Valley. This thriving market town has just one main street which is lined with shops and galleries.
Perhaps you would like to arrive on a Tuesday as this is when Moreton-on-Marsh is host to the largest open-air street market in the Cotswolds. Also of interest is the White Hart Royal Hotel, a former manor house that sheltered King Charles I during the Civil War.
For dinner tonight there are plenty of restaurants from which to choose.
Redesdale Arms Hotel is a 17th-century coaching house which has a contemporary decor with stylish bedrooms and you can enjoy log fires in the winter and a patio garden in the summer. The rooms are spread between the original main house, dating back to 1650, and to the rear of the building in the original stable block or courtyard. Two of their rooms feature whirlpool baths and many have spacious walk-in showers. All the rooms are equipped with a TV and new king-size beds. The restaurant has an AA Rosette award and the menu boasts good quality produce including local game and vegetables, and Cornish seafood.
The Swan Inn is a Grade II listed part Georgian building in traditional Cotswold Stone. All rooms are en-suite with a shower and all with TV, hair dryer, complimentary mineral water and Tea / Coffee making facilities are provided. You can relax in the lounge bar / restaurant and enjoy a drink or coffee a glass of wine from the carefully selected wine list.
The luxurious four-star Manor House Hotel is an enchanting 16th century Cotswold retreat where you can revel in luxury, indulge yourself with fine food and drink and relax in a homely and friendly atmosphere. Each of the rooms has a character of its own, with distinctive décor and everyone has a fine view. The rooms feature flat-screen televisions; tea making facilities and freshly ground coffee and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The restaurant offers a diverse choice of dishes, prepared from the freshest local Cotswold produce, with seasonal twists that remind you of your countryside location. To complement such gastronomic delights, an extensive wine list has been thoughtfully put together.
The cycling route today takes you through pretty rural routes, and initially to the town of Chipping Norton. The town’s name means “market town north” and began as a small settlement at the foot of a hill on which there was a motte and Bailey Castle. Just north of the town you will cycle past the Rollright Stones, a complex of three Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. They are now known as the Kings Men, the King Stone and the Whispering Knights and were all built at different times during the late prehistoric age.
Continue on your route through quaint villages, such as Little Compton and Paxton, before arriving back into Moreton-on-Marsh.
Redesdale Arms Hotel is a 17th-century coaching house which has a contemporary decor with stylish bedrooms and you can enjoy log fires in the winter and a patio garden in the summer. The rooms are spread between the original main house, dating back to 1650, and to the rear of the building in the original stable block or courtyard. Two of their rooms feature whirlpool baths and many have spacious walk-in showers. All the rooms are equipped with a TV and new king-size beds. The restaurant has an AA Rosette award and the menu boasts good quality produce including local game and vegetables, and Cornish seafood.
The Swan Inn is a Grade II listed part Georgian building in traditional Cotswold Stone. All rooms are en-suite with a shower and all with TV, hair dryer, complimentary mineral water and Tea / Coffee making facilities are provided. You can relax in the lounge bar / restaurant and enjoy a drink or coffee a glass of wine from the carefully selected wine list.
The luxurious four-star Manor House Hotel is an enchanting 16th century Cotswold retreat where you can revel in luxury, indulge yourself with fine food and drink and relax in a homely and friendly atmosphere. Each of the rooms has a character of its own, with distinctive décor and everyone has a fine view. The rooms feature flat-screen televisions; tea making facilities and freshly ground coffee and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The restaurant offers a diverse choice of dishes, prepared from the freshest local Cotswold produce, with seasonal twists that remind you of your countryside location. To complement such gastronomic delights, an extensive wine list has been thoughtfully put together.
Today’s loop takes you to the west of Moreton-on-Marsh and through Upper and Lower Brailes situated in the county of Warwickshire and in the northern part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Expect some hilly terrain today as the Brailes are surrounded by small hills. Brailes derives from a Saxon word for wood, and in the Domesday book was described as an important manor. You then cycle through more pretty villages with stone farms, cottages and gardens overflowing with flowers en route.
Redesdale Arms Hotel is a 17th-century coaching house which has a contemporary decor with stylish bedrooms and you can enjoy log fires in the winter and a patio garden in the summer. The rooms are spread between the original main house, dating back to 1650, and to the rear of the building in the original stable block or courtyard. Two of their rooms feature whirlpool baths and many have spacious walk-in showers. All the rooms are equipped with a TV and new king-size beds. The restaurant has an AA Rosette award and the menu boasts good quality produce including local game and vegetables, and Cornish seafood.
The Swan Inn is a Grade II listed part Georgian building in traditional Cotswold Stone. All rooms are en-suite with a shower and all with TV, hair dryer, complimentary mineral water and Tea / Coffee making facilities are provided. You can relax in the lounge bar / restaurant and enjoy a drink or coffee a glass of wine from the carefully selected wine list.
The luxurious four-star Manor House Hotel is an enchanting 16th century Cotswold retreat where you can revel in luxury, indulge yourself with fine food and drink and relax in a homely and friendly atmosphere. Each of the rooms has a character of its own, with distinctive décor and everyone has a fine view. The rooms feature flat-screen televisions; tea making facilities and freshly ground coffee and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The restaurant offers a diverse choice of dishes, prepared from the freshest local Cotswold produce, with seasonal twists that remind you of your countryside location. To complement such gastronomic delights, an extensive wine list has been thoughtfully put together.
Todays route takes you through some of the most iconic Cotswold countryside and villages. Upon leaving Moreton-on-Marsh your route takes you close to Sezincote House, built with an Indian influence, and inspiration for the architect of the Brighton Pavilion. The house is set within a romantic water garden and it is definitely worth stopping to stroll through the house and gardens.
Continue on until you reach the twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. The name is derived from the old English “slohtre”, which means a muddy place. The epitome of Cotswold charm,these villages should not be missed and you will enjoy spending time here exploring.
After this visit you now concentrate on getting some miles under your belt. The route to Broadway takes you through undulating countryside and to Snowshill. Here, if you have time, it is worth stopping at Snowshill House and its Arts and Crafts style terraced gardens.
Olive Branch, a grade II listed building, has been trading as a Guest House for nearly 70 years. It has the reputation of being a warm and friendly, family run 'home from home' with many guests returning year after year. All rooms have colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities, and hair dryers. Wifi is also available. The owner's comfortable lounge is available for you to relax in after a day’s walking. Breakfast is served in the Cotswold stone dining room with Inglenook fireplace and original flagstone floor. You will be treated to the delights of Pam’s home baking and David’s delicious English breakfast.
Russell’s is one of the chicest places to stay and eat in Broadway, it's situated in the former showroom of Sir Gordon Russell’s furniture. Above the restaurant are seven individually designed bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, luxury bedlinen and air conditioning. Flat screen televisions, broadband internet access and original architectural features all combine to create a supremely comfortable experience.
The Broadway Hotel, served over 400 years ago as a rural retreat still offers a feeling of tranquillity to be enjoyed by today’s visitors. The bedrooms are individually furnished, warm and inviting, with attention to detail in every bedroom. Each of the nineteen guest rooms have a flat-screen TV, beverage tray, hairdryer and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The Tattersalls Brasserie is in the beautiful new Atrium, the elegant, light filled brasserie offers an extensive a la carte menu with a good selection of fresh and seasonal dishes along with a choice of 31 day dry aged free range steaks.
Today there are a few different options to choose from. The first is to take a 43 mile bike ride that takes you in a loop from Broadway to Stratford-upon-Avon and back. If you take this cycle ride you will probably arrive in Stratford around lunchtime, and you will have a little time to explore this town, famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
The second option is a shorter ride of around 23 miles in the morning. This route takes you through Chipping Camden, a charming and historic town, once famous for its wool trade. This afternoon perhaps you would like to take a bus into Stratford to see where The Bard was born and explore.
The third option is to take a day of rest. Broadway is a really picturesque town to stroll through and perhaps you may wish to search out some antique and book shops, or have lunch in a tea room or local pub. You may also take the bus into Stratford-upon-Avon if you wish.
Olive Branch, a grade II listed building, has been trading as a Guest House for nearly 70 years. It has the reputation of being a warm and friendly, family run 'home from home' with many guests returning year after year. All rooms have colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities, and hair dryers. Wifi is also available. The owner's comfortable lounge is available for you to relax in after a day’s walking. Breakfast is served in the Cotswold stone dining room with Inglenook fireplace and original flagstone floor. You will be treated to the delights of Pam’s home baking and David’s delicious English breakfast.
Russell’s is one of the chicest places to stay and eat in Broadway, it's situated in the former showroom of Sir Gordon Russell’s furniture. Above the restaurant are seven individually designed bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, luxury bedlinen and air conditioning. Flat screen televisions, broadband internet access and original architectural features all combine to create a supremely comfortable experience.
The Broadway Hotel, served over 400 years ago as a rural retreat still offers a feeling of tranquillity to be enjoyed by today’s visitors. The bedrooms are individually furnished, warm and inviting, with attention to detail in every bedroom. Each of the nineteen guest rooms have a flat-screen TV, beverage tray, hairdryer and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The Tattersalls Brasserie is in the beautiful new Atrium, the elegant, light filled brasserie offers an extensive a la carte menu with a good selection of fresh and seasonal dishes along with a choice of 31 day dry aged free range steaks.
The route today takes you on a loop to the south and west of Broadway. Head out of town to the west and along pretty country lanes to Elmley Castle, a small village and where the ruins of the castle remain. Continue through the charming villages of Ashton under Hill, Alderton and Gretton.
Just south of Broadway is Stanway, a scenic village and where it is worth stopping to see Stanway Manor House and Gardens. Explore this outstanding Jacobean Manor House and the 18th century water gardens, the finest in all of England.
Arrive back in Broadway for your final evening. With plenty of restaurants and pubs to choose from, perhaps you would like to have a final dinner and a toast to celebrate your week of wonderful cycling.
Olive Branch, a grade II listed building, has been trading as a Guest House for nearly 70 years. It has the reputation of being a warm and friendly, family run 'home from home' with many guests returning year after year. All rooms have colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities, and hair dryers. Wifi is also available. The owner's comfortable lounge is available for you to relax in after a day’s walking. Breakfast is served in the Cotswold stone dining room with Inglenook fireplace and original flagstone floor. You will be treated to the delights of Pam’s home baking and David’s delicious English breakfast.
Russell’s is one of the chicest places to stay and eat in Broadway, it's situated in the former showroom of Sir Gordon Russell’s furniture. Above the restaurant are seven individually designed bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, luxury bedlinen and air conditioning. Flat screen televisions, broadband internet access and original architectural features all combine to create a supremely comfortable experience.
The Broadway Hotel, served over 400 years ago as a rural retreat still offers a feeling of tranquillity to be enjoyed by today’s visitors. The bedrooms are individually furnished, warm and inviting, with attention to detail in every bedroom. Each of the nineteen guest rooms have a flat-screen TV, beverage tray, hairdryer and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The Tattersalls Brasserie is in the beautiful new Atrium, the elegant, light filled brasserie offers an extensive a la carte menu with a good selection of fresh and seasonal dishes along with a choice of 31 day dry aged free range steaks.
A transfer will be provided back to Moreton-on-Marsh train station, from where you may complete your onward journey. If you are renting a bike it will be collected from your accommodation. If you have your own bike and have driven to the start point you will need to cycle back to Moreton-on-Marsh on this final morning. It is 9 miles on the main road and slightly further if you wish to cycle along quieter and more scenic roads.
This trip has a carbon score of 7kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 7kg is equivalent to 1 single running shoe (not even a pair!). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?If you want to cycle through some of the Cotswold’s most iconic countryside and pretty villages at your own pace, stopping to explore en route, then this tour is for you. Also enjoy the local cuisine in the many gourmet pubs and restaurants and the additional bonus of cycling into Stratford-upon-Avon and visiting some of the area’s most amazing manor houses and incredible gardens. With only one change of accommodation you’ll have more time for relaxation and discovery of the area. You'll cycle along mostly quiet country roads and through rural pretty countryside, towns and villages. At times you will have to ride along busier main roads, especially as you enter and leave towns. You must therefore be a confident cyclist when on busier roads.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years
You will need to have a fairly good fitness level to fully enjoy this trip. Although the Cotswolds generally is not very hilly there will be some gentle inclines and declines at times. Most of the cycling on this tour is along quiet country roads and through the rural and very pretty countryside, towns and villages. At times you will have to ride along busier main roads in order to link the routes, or perhaps access another smaller road. Roads will also get busier as you enter and leave towns, especially at Moreton-on-Marsh.
During this trip you will stay in small, family run hotels, B&B's or guesthouses. All accommodations are hand-picked to assure a warm welcome great locations.
Single Rooms & Solo Cyclists
If you're travelling with friends or family but prefer your own room, single rooms are subject to availability and a supplementary payment. This trip is also available to solo cyclists, also subject to a supplementary payment.
Meals
Breakfast is included in the cost of your tour. Breakfast can vary but normally includes a continental breakfast, which includes breads, butter, preserves, pastries, cereal, yoghurt, cheese, ham, fruit and tea and coffee and the option of a traditional English cooked breakfast. If you have special dietary requirements do let us know at the time of booking.
Lunches and dinners are not included but you will find suggestions in your route notes of local places to dine and your B&B hosts are always happy to advise on the best places to eat! You can easily find many European dining options within the Cotswolds but there are many local, cosy, traditional English pubs, serving simple filling dishes such as steak and ale pie, fish and chips or bangers n’ mash (sausages and mash potato). Being in the heart of the Cotswolds, you’re also never far from a café serving a cream tea. Worth indulging in at least once during your week cycling!
- 6 Nights in B&B's and guesthouses
- 6 Breakfasts
- Baggage transfer
- Taxi transfer from Broadway to Moreton-in-Marsh on day 7
- Information pack
- Access to route notes, detailed maps, and GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
- Travel to Moreton-in-Marsh / from Broadway
- Bike hire
- Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional nights along the route
- Bike hire
This trip is available from April to October.
This tour starts and finishes in Moreton-in-Marsh. The best way of getting to Moreton-in-Marsh is by train. There is a direct train from London Paddington Station which takes about one and a half hours. If you fly into London Heathrow, you can then take the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington and from here a train to Moreton-in Marsh. You may fly into any of the other London Airports, such as London Gatwick, make your way by bus or train into central London and then to London Paddington.
It is also possible to fly into Birmingham Airport when travelling to Moreton-in-Marsh with a journey time between 1.5 and 3 hours by public transport, usually a train via Worcester. Birmingham has flights from many UK, European and international destinations.
You can find further information about train times and schedules on the National Rail website.
It is also possible to drive to Moreton-in-Marsh. On-street parking is available however there is no secure parking.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person. Please ensure that you do not bring more than one bag of 20kg as if this occurs, the luggage transfer company will ask you to pay an additional fee for an extra bag which they will provide (£8) plus a charge of £6.00 per day for moving the extra bag. This additional payment, should it be necessary, needs to be made locally to the driver and in cash. We ask that all bags are ready for 9am and if not an additional supplement may also be payable locally to ensure that we can get your luggage to its destination on time.
If you are travelling from far afield and do have more than one bag it is possible to arrange for the extra luggage to be stored whilst you are on the tour for a fee of £25 per bag. These additional bags would be picked up from your accommodation at the start point of your tour and dropped off wherever you finish depending on the itinerary you are doing. Please contact us if you are interested in this option.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Transfers
A taxi transfer from Broadway at the end of the tour is included to Moreton-on-Marsh train station. The journey takes about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bike Hire
Bike hire is available as an optional extra. Hire bikes are high quality, full-aluminium hybrid bikes that will delivered to you at your accommodation. The model will be a Ridgeback Velocity Hybrid (or similar). If you book bike hire further details will be provided in your information pack. All rentals include a helmet, lock, pump, pannier with spare inner tube, tyre levers and a handlebar bag.
If you would prefer to hire an e-bike, which provides a power-assisted ride make sure to get your request in early as e-bikes are increasing in popularity! For more information on e-bikes click here.
To ensure we can confirm your bike hire as quickly as possible please provide us with your height at the time of booking. We will pass this onto our bike hire partner who will be able to select the correct size of bike frame for you.
Bringing Your Own Bike
We understand that your bike is more than just a machine that gets you from A to B, it's a reliable travel companion that you want to bring with you on your trip.
Due to logistics on this tour bringing your own bike is only possible if you are arriving in Moreton-in-Marsh by car. In this case we advise parking in Moreton-in-Marsh for the duration of your trip. On the final day an included taxi transfer will drop you off at your car in Moreton-in-Marsh, from where you can drive back to Broadway (25 minutes) to collect your luggage and bike(s) from your final accommodation in Broadway.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
You will need to have a fairly good fitness level to fully enjoy this trip. Although the Cotswolds generally is not very hilly there will be some gentle inclines and declines at times. Most of the cycling on this tour is along quiet country roads and through rural and very pretty countryside, towns and villages.
If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardio vascular exercise for at least 6 months prior to your cycle. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the Cotswolds are extremely popular. If booking at short notice we will always try and accommodate your plans.
You will need normal cycling clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers and some warmer cycling clothes, a full detailed kit list will be included in your info pack.
We offer this trip between the beginning of April and the end of October. In our opinion there is no bad time for walking in the Cotswolds but would especially recommend the spring and autumn for the colours and it will be less busy during these months.
We recommend you travel by train to Moreton-in-Marsh, which is 1h30 from London Paddington. If you are driving we recommend leaving your car in Moreton-in-Marsh where on street parking is available. More information on train times and schedules is available on the National Rail website.
It is also possible to fly into Birmingham Airport when travelling to Moreton-in-Marsh with a journey time under 3 hours by public transport. Birmingham has flights from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Jersey, Isle of Man, Inverness, Dundee, Derry, Belfast, Dublin, Shannon and many European and international destinations.
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