Exploring the Cotswolds

Thursday 12th September – Monday 16th September 2024

Number of Travellers: 4
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

Overview

Carefully designed for you, explore the stunning, pastoral beauty of the Cotswolds from the comfy saddle of an E-bike on this custom tour. Glide along quiet roads and leafy lanes, winding through a landscape adorned with pretty honey-coloured villages, ancient woodlands, and rolling green fields bordered by drystone walls, all dotted with grazing sheep. Discover ancient ruins, magnificent manor houses, and breathtaking cathedrals. Pause along the way at charming cafes and traditional pubs, indulging in delightful lunches, homemade cakes, and locally brewed beers. With every detail taken care of by your expert guide, you can relax and enjoy the ride. Spend each evening in hand-picked accommodations selected for their idyllic locations, warm hospitality, and attentive staff.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Thursday 12th September | Welcome to England | Overnight: Bibury

Day 2 | Friday 13th September | Castle Combe and Bath | Overnight: Bibury

Day 3 | Saturday 14th September | Westonbirt and Wine Tasting | Overnight: Gloucestershire

Day 4 | Sunday 15th September | Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water | Overnight: Gloucestershire

Day 5 | Monday 16th September | Final Ride to Oxford

Day by Day

Day 1 - Thursday 12th September - Welcome to England

Touch down at Heathrow, where you’ll be greeted by your guide, who will be waiting for you upon arrival. Hop into your vehicle and embark on your journey to the quaint villages and rolling hills of the Cotswolds. Along the way, stop at Stonehenge, the ancient stones circle, one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. After visiting the stones and the museum, transfer to your luxury accommodation. Once checked in, your guide will help you perfect your e-bike set-up; go for a quick spin on the grounds to make sure they are comfy and then relax for the rest of the evening.

Overnight: Bibury | The Swan
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Friday 13th September - Castle Combe and Bath

Waking up in the Cotswolds, enjoy a delicious breakfast and then set out for today’s adventure. Start the day in Castle Combe, a quintessential Cotswold village and popular filming destination. From here, you’ll pedal with your guide the winding roads to Bradford-upon-Avon, and join the canal path that ribbons its way towards the elegant city of Bath. Leave your bikes this afternoon and head to visit the Roman Baths, constructed between 60 and 70 AD from a natural hot spring. Explore the traditional heritage and architecture before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Bibury | The Swan
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Saturday 14th September - Westonbirt and Wine Tasting

After breakfast, buckle up your helmet and head out on your bike for a picturesque pedal to Westonbirt Arboretum. As your guide points out the different wildlife enjoy listening to the cheerful song of the blackbird as you weave by thick hedgerows and past fields dotted with grazing sheep. Arrive at Westonbirt and enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring the arboretum. With 15,000 specimens and 2,500 species of tree from all over the globe, it plays a vital role in research and conservation, as well as being a beautiful place to visit. Later this afternoon, arrive at a boutique vineyard for a private tour through the vines and guided tasting, learning about the growing wine industry in this area. Then, travel to Cheltenham and to your next luxury hotel where you will settle in and enjoy dinner.

Overnight: Gloucestershire | The Slaughters Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Sunday 15th September - Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water

After breakfast this morning, roll out of your hotel and transfer to your starting point, where you will begin a scenic ride to Burford. Along the way, chat with your guide about the history of this area and pop by an organic farm shop that overflows with fruit, vegetables, artisan bread and award-warming cheese. Arrive in the charming village of Burford and visit the church – learning about its history and the Levellers who were imprisoned there by Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War. Enjoy a relaxed lunch in the village before continuing riding to Bourton-on-the-Water (often considered one of the prettiest villages in the UK), which bestrides the River Windrush. Finish your day with time to wander around this beautiful town, popping into some of the local shops.  Back at your hotel enjoy a final dinner in the Cotswolds.

Overnight: Gloucestershire | The Slaughters Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Monday 16th September - Final Ride to Oxford

Enjoy breakfast this morning before getting ready for your last ride with your guide through the winding lanes and leafy green villages of the Cotswolds. Transfer to Oxford to have lunch and spend some time looking around this historic and prestigious city. Later, say goodbye to your guide at the train station and board a train that will whisk you away to the bright lights of London.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 5
  • Most meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 1 to Day 5
  • Ground transportation and support vehicle and driver from Day 1 to Day 5
  • All guided rides and activities mentioned in the itinerary
    • Entry to Stonehenge
    • Entry to Westonbirt Arboretum
    • Private tour and wine tasting
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Train tickets
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities
Important Additional Information Read More

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Virtuoso

Exploring the Cotswolds

Thursday 12th September – Monday 16th September 2024