Short Cycling Breaks

A series of 1, 2 or 3 night breaks. These are single centre breaks and are designed to get the best out of the area.

Bourton-on-the-Water Cycling Short Break

Approximate travelling time from London: 2 hours by car or by train and taxi. Up to 4 days cycling Plenty of fun for the family Can be linked with Moreton in Marsh to give a mini break with up to 6 days cycling.

A moderate cycling short break based in one of the area's most famous villages. Bourton-on- the-Water is surrounded by the beautiful, typically English countryside of the Cotswolds with its rolling hills, full of farms and little honey coloured stone villages. Accommodation is in a 3 crown hotel with en-suite rooms and includes a full English Breakfast.

The are up to four days of cycling making maximum use of the quiet country lanes with a choice of route distances every day (average distance 17 to 25 miles, 27 to 40 km per day). They pass through the best of the this varied countryside with many scenic little villages and take in a wide range of the areas best attractions

MAIN CENTRES

Bourton on the Water- Probably the areas most famous village with picturesque bridges over the River Windrush and many attractions for all ages. Burford- The magnificent buildings of the High Street display the quality of the building stone and masons for which this area was renowned in the 17th and 18th centuries. Northleach- A handsome old wool market with a fine church and two entertaining and informative museums. Stow on the Wold- Another wool market that once hosted some of the greatest sheep fairs in the country and is now it is the venue for much more genteel shopping.

The Barringtons- Beautiful stone built cottages in an area famous for producing fine stone in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Guitings- Traditional village scenes of church, inn, farms and cottages emphasising the timeless charm of this part of the country. Snowshill- A village so beautiful that the famous car maker Henry Ford wanted to buy it and take it back to the USA!

The Slaughters- Two villages on the banks of the little River Eye which are favourite subjects for artists with charming cottages, manor houses and a water mill. The Swells- Less well known than their near neighbours, the Slaughters, but full of unspoilt Cotswold character.

Broadway Tower- 19th century folly with amazing views over twelve counties. Sherborne Park- Traditional country estate of park land, pleasure grounds and farms Snowshill Manor- Houses an amazing collection of craftsmanship from around the world.

Chedworth Roman Villa- Britain's best preserved Roman country house. Cotswold Countryside Collection- Farming methods from the days of horse power. Cotswold Farm Park- A living museum of rare and ancient farm breeds. Cotswold Motor Museum and Toy Collection- Housed in a 18th century mill. Keith Hardings World of Mechanical Music- Regular performances of period tunes Lower Slaughter Mill- Old water wheel and flour mill undergoing restoration.

1 night 2 day and 2 night 3 day 3 night 4 day Distances 13 - 16 miles

Moreton-in-Marsh Cycling Short Break

Lively Cotswold Market town Approximate travelling time from London: 2 hours by car or it is well served by rail with a journey time of 1½ hours. Up to 3 days cycling Can be linked with Bourton on the Water to give a mini break with up to 6 days cycling

A moderate cycling break based in the the market town of Moreton in Marsh. Set in the Heart of the Cotswolds with its rolling countryside full of farms and honey coloured villages built from the local stone. There is a wealth of fascinating history from prehistoric burials and hill forts through Roman villas to the mediaeval churches built by rich wool merchants. Accommodation is in a 3 Crown hotel with en suite rooms and includes full English breakfast.

The are up to three days of cycling making maximum use of the quiet country lanes with a choice of route distances on some days (average distance 20 to 30 miles, 32 to 48 km per day). They pass through the best of the this varied countryside with many scenic little villages and take in a wide range of the areas best attractions

Moreton-in-Marsh- A splendid wide High Street that is still host to one of the country's largest open air markets every Tuesday. Chipping Campden- A classic small wool market town with merchants houses and a grand church all built from the local stone. Bourton on the Water- Probably the areas most famous village with picturesque bridges over the River Windrush and many attractions for all ages. Hook Norton- Characterful little Oxfordshire town with 19th century brewery buildings still producing much loved local ale. Shipton on Stour- Originally a sheep market, this village developed as a coaching stop during the 18th and 19th centuries with many inns and hostelries. Stow on the Wold- Another wool market that once hosted some of the greatest sheep fairs in the country. Now it is the venue for much more genteel shopping.

Blockley- A beautiful old mill village often missed by visitors but full of fascinating history and scenery. Snowshill- A village so beautiful that the famous car maker Henry Ford wanted to buy it and take it back to the USA! The Sibfords- Rural Oxfordshire villages surrounded by unspoiled countryside. The Slaughters- Two villages on the banks of the little River Eye which are favourite subjects for artists with charming cottages, manor houses and a water mill.

Batsford Park- Arboretum with colourful collection of rare trees and a Falconry Centre. Broadway Tower- 19th century folly with amazing views over twelve counties. Chastleton House- Jacobean manor with important architecture and topiary garden. Sezincote Manor- Oriental style house and water garden inspired the Brighton Pavillion. Snowshill Manor- Houses an amazing collection of craftsmanship from around the world.

Cotswold Motor Museum and Toy Collection- Housed in a 18th century mill. Lower Slaughter Mill- Old water wheel and flour mill undergoing restoration.

The Rollright Stones- 4000 year old stone circle and remains of bronze age burial mound

Tetbury Cycling Short Break

Approximate travelling time from London: 2 hours by car or by train and taxi. Up to 3 days cycling Royal Connections

A leisurely cycling short break based in a little market town with several Royal neighbours. Tetbury is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is within easy cycling of both the flatter south Cotswolds- and the upper Thames valley. Accommodation is in a 3 Crown hotel with en suite rooms and includes full English breakfast.

There are up to three days of cycling along quiet country lanes with a choice of route distances every day (average distance 20 to 28 miles, 32 to 45 km per day). They pass through the best of the this varied countryside with many scenic little villages and take in a wide range of the areas best attractions

MAIN CENTRES

Tetbury- A beautifully preserved town of handsome merchants houses, market house and church which all recall the prosperous wool trade. Now home to Prince Charles. Malmesbury- Ancient Saxon town where the magnificent remains of the 12th century abbey are now the church with the tomb of Athelstan, the first king of all England.

Ashton Keynes & Somerford Keynes- Old villages now surrounded by the lakes of the Cotswold Water Park but retaining their traditional character. Minchinhampton- This delightful hilltop village of was, like Tetbury, a major wool centre and stands beside 1000 acres of open common land with magnificent views. Sherston- Built within a prehistoric earthwork with fine 17th and 18th century houses along a wide High Street and a Norman church.

Chavenage- A charming Elizabethan manor house with a fine collection of tapestries and relics from the English civil war. Westonbirt Arboretum- With 18,000 trees and shrubs from around the world, this is a beautiful place all year but particularly in the spring and autumn.

Longer Cycling Holidays

NORTH COTSWOLDS CYCLING TOUR

Full Backup

A moderate cycling tour starting and finishing in the Regency spa town of Cheltenham which is well served by both rail and coach services (approximately 2.5 hours from London). The are six days of cycling progressing to two more of the North Cotswolds historic centres.

Accommodation is in 3 Crown hotels with en suite rooms and includes full English breakfast. The clients luggage is transferred between hotels.

The cycle rides make maximum use of the quiet country lanes with a choice of route distances on some days (average distance 21 to 24 miles, 34 to 39 km per day). They pass through the best of the this varied countryside with many scenic little villages and take in a wide range of the areas best attractions

LANDSCAPES

The Cotswolds- Rolling country full of farms and picturesque honey coloured stone villages. There is a wealth of fascinating history from prehistoric burials and hill forts through Roman villas to the mediaeval churches built by rich wool merchants. The Vale of Evesham- The area between Stratford and the Cotswolds is flatter with many old houses built in the black and white half timbered style. The Severn Vale- Flatter country again between the Cotswold escarpment and the River Severn.

MAIN CENTRES

Cheltenham- An elegant Regency spa town with a wealth of parks, gardens and fine architecture. Famous for festivals of music, literature and horse racing Chipping Campden- A classic small wool market town with merchants houses and a grand church all built from the local stone Bourton on the Water- Probably the areas most famous village with quaint bridges over the River Windrush and many attractions for all ages. Burford- The magnificent buildings of the High Street display the quality of the building stone and masons for which this area was renowned in the 17th and 18th centuries. Moreton-in-Marsh- A splendid wide High Street that is still host to one of the country's largest open air markets every Tuesday. Northleach- A handsome old wool market with a fine church and two entertaining and informative museums. Stow on the Wold- Another wool market that once hosted some of the greatest sheep fairs in the country and is now it is the venue for much more genteel shopping. Stratford-upon-Avon- The home town of Shakespeare where you can visit many old buildings associated with his life and three theatres.

OTHER SCENIC VILLAGES

Blockley- A beautiful old mill village often missed by visitors but full of fascinating history and scenery. The Guitings- Traditional village scenes of church, inn, farms and cottages emphasising the timeless charm of this part of the country. Snowshill- A village so beautiful that the famous car maker Henry Ford wanted to buy it and take it back to the USA! The Slaughters- Two villages on the banks of the little River Eye which are favourite subjects for artists with charming cottages, manor houses and a water mill. Withington- Delightful cottages and a peaceful riverside inn make for an ideal lunch stop.

HOUSES AND GARDENS- Open to the public

Batsford Park- Arboretum with colourful collection of rare trees and a Falconry Centre. Broadway Tower- 19th century folly with amazing views over twelve counties. Cheltenham- England's first garden suburb and regular winner of 'Britain in Bloom' Hidcote Manor- More a series of small connected gardens- very influential design. Kiftsgate Court- Rare shrubs and old roses in a magnificent setting with wide views. Sezincote Manor- Oriental style house and water garden inspired the Brighton Pavillion. Sherborne Park- Traditional country estate of parkland, pleasure grounds and farms Snowshill Manor- Houses an amazing collection of craftsmanship from around the world.

MUSEUMS & COLLECTIONS

Chedworth Roman Villa- Britain's best preserved Roman country house. Cheltenham Gallery of Fashion- The life and history of the town in costume Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum- History of the town and Arts and Crafts collection Cheltenham Racecourse Hall of Fame- Story of horse racing in the town since 1816 Cotswold Countryside Collection- Farming methods from the days of horse power. Cotswold Farm Park- A living museum of rare and ancient farm breeds. Cotswold Motor Museum and Toy Collection- Housed in a 18th century mill. Keith Hardings World of Mechanical Music- Regular performances of period tunes Lower Slaughter Mill- Old water wheel and flour mill undergoing restoration. Shakespeare Birthplace Trust- A collection of houses associated with the Bards family.

SOUTH COTSWOLDS CYCLING TOUR