Cycle the Cotswolds: Oxford to Bath

Cycle the Cotswolds: Oxford to Bath Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
Destination: United Kingdom
Programmes: Cycling
Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate
6 Days: Land Only
Ages: 16+
Trip Code: MUO

Trip Overview

Pedal through a rural paradise, passing timeless villages and picturesque pubs on the way

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.

At a Glance

Five hotel nights
Five days of road cycling plus a canal path ride into Bath
Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Option to travel by train to your adventure
E-bikes available for an additional cost

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

Is This Trip for You?

This trip has been graded Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

A reasonable level of fitness is required; however, regular cyclists will not find this itinerary challenging. There are six days of cycling, mostly on small country roads and sometimes on rolling terrain.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 5

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: Oxford
End City: Bath

Land Only Itinerary

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.

Accommodation: The Prince of Burford

Distance covered: 20mi (32km)

Ascent: 499ft (152m)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Accommodation: The Prince of Burford

Distance covered: 35mi (56km)

Ascent: 1,998ft (609m)

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 17^th-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.

Accommodation: The Bear at Rodborough

Distance covered: 35mi (56km)

Ascent: 1,499ft (457m)

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.

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Hotel

Distance covered: 40mi (64km)

Ascent: 1,499ft (457m)

Meals included: Breakfast

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 13^th-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.

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Hotel

Distance covered: 35mi (56km)

Ascent: 1,345ft (410m)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

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

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotels

We stay in three hotels throughout this tour.

In Burford, we stay at The Prince of Burford, an 18^th-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 17^th-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.

Single supplement from USD 742

Food & Drink

All breakfasts and two dinners are included.

Transport

Throughout the week, we have little need for transfers; however, when required, we use a private minibus.

Weather & Seasonality

Rain can fall at any time of year; however, the temperatures typically rise from around 12C (54F) in April to the high 20Cs (around 80F-85F) or above in September. Like most of the UK in recent years, there have been some hotter days in the middle of summer.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start point: Oxford train station
Recommended arrival time: The group meets at 11am

Getting to the start point

Direct trains to Oxford operate from London Paddington every hour and take one hour. If coming from London Heathrow, take the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington (20 minutes) and then the Oxford train.

Return journey

There’s a group departure transfer to Bath Spa Railway Station at 9am on the final day of the trip, where there are trains to London Paddington every 45 minutes. Alternatively, the station is just over a five-minute walk from our end hotel.

If you would like further information on these transfers, please speak to your sales representative.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Oxford
Location end: Bath

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Small backpack (for water bottle, camera etc)
Refillable water bottle
Cycling clothing and shoes

Equipment Hire

Included standard bike
The standard bike for this trip is a Giant Escape and Liv Thrive (touring/hybrid).

We will take your height at the time of booking to reserve equipment. If you have a preferred bike size, please request when booking.

E-bike upgrade
Electric bikes are available on this trip; prices from £184/US$260/350 Canadian dollars. Speak to your sales representative for more information.

Bringing your own bike
If you’d prefer to bring your own bike, please advise us at the time of booking and you will receive a discount on the price of the trip. However, you will be responsible for any extra baggage charges; assembling and disassembling your bike; and bringing along spare parts and any tools specific to it. You should also ensure you have adequate insurance to cover loss, damage or theft.

Accessories and clothing

Bringing equipment from home
You’re welcome to bring your own equipment, such as SPD pedals or clipless pedals, your own saddle (excluding the seat post), or gel saddle cover for the hire bikes. Your leader will help you fit these when bikes are distributed.

Helmets
Helmets are mandatory for everyone on a guided Exodus cycling trip. You must bring your own as, following best safety practice, they are not available for hire.

Cycling clothing
For all cycling trips we recommend:

Padded cycling shorts: For destinations with more modest cultures, we also recommend loose ‘over-shorts’ for riding or rest stops
Eyewear: Either sunglasses or eye protection with clear lenses to protect the eyes while riding
Cycling gloves: Especially for riding off-road or on rugged surfaces
Cycling shoes: Cycling is more efficient with stiff-soled shoes. We don’t recommend open-toed shoes or sandals
Small close-fitting backpack or bum bag (fanny pack): To keep spare clothing or essential items to hand during the ride

Practical Information

Visa

United Kingdom

Travellers from the US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccinations and Health

United Kingdom

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies (bat lyssavirus). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Ticks are known to be present in this region and can carry lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself. You can read more about ticks here.

Local Time

United Kingdom's time zone: Europe/London (UTC +01:00)

Electricity

United Kingdom's electricity: Plug type G (three rectangular pins) – 230V, 50Hz

Money

United Kingdom's currency: Pound sterling (GBP)

ATM Availability

ATMs are available in most towns.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

A typical lunch costs £15, dinner £25, a pint of beer £5, and a glass of wine £4- £7

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
Read more about our other initiatives

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income used to upkeep and develop these important sites.
We rewild 1,075sqft (100sqm) per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Cycling trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low-impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Important Information

Your safe participation

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

How to Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.