Cycling the Cotswolds
Whether you want to spend a day or a week exploring, cycling is a great way to see the wonderful scenery and distinctive character of the Cotswolds. England's best cycling routes aren't always the hardest ones - the routes in the Cotswolds range from the gentler slopes of the South Cotswolds to the sharper escarpments of the North. These varieties in terrain give every level of cyclist a chance to enjoy the extensive network of tracks and lanes. And of course, there are many options for that hearty pub lunch you'll need after your morning's cycling. Looking for a cycling holiday in the Cotswolds? Check your nearest
Tourist Information Centres for more maps and ideas, or check our
accommodation section for ideas for your stay in the Cotswolds.
Cycle hire & tours
Capital Sport - Gentle Cycling & Walking Tours
For over 25 years Capital Sport have been providing gentle cycling and walking holidays in the Cotswolds and have one of the largest choice of tours available. Capital Sport offer self guided or guided tours, quality accommodation, gentle and interesting routes as traffic free as possible, short breaks and longer tours and above all impeccable service. Telephone 01296 631671 for more details, quoting Cotswolds.com.
Cotswold Country Cycles
Enjoy a biking vacation in the heart of England with our splendid bike tours – take a short break or a longer tour. Visit the Cotswolds with our self-led biking tours. We provide “Dawes” cycles along with all the essentials and a choice of quality hotels, inns and B&Bs in the Cotswold region. Telephone 01386 438706 quoting Cotswolds.com.
Go-By-Cycle
Go-By-Cycle, which has been operating in the Cotswold Water Park (West) for over a decade, is a husband and wife owned and run, Cotswolds based, cycle hire, sales & repairs centre providing cycling opportunities in the Cotswolds for individuals or the whole family, as well as school groups, youth clubs, stag & hen parties and corporate entertainment. Telephone 07970 419208 quoting Cotswolds.com.
National Cycle Network in the Cotswolds
National Route 45 of the National Cycle Network runs between Stonehouse, Stroud, Nailsworth and Cirencester.
Downloadable maps - Cotswold Cycling Routes
Six pocket foldaway Cycle Maps (produced by Cotswold District Council, the Gloucestershire Rural Transport Partnership & the Department for Transport) are available to download below. The routes vary in difficulty and also include details of attractions and refreshments.
Chipping Campden to Moreton in Marsh (1.1mb)
A varied and interesting 30 mile circular ride through some of the best landscape in the north of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Cirencester, Fairford and Northleach (948kb)
This route offers a chance to experience the stunning Cotswold villages known locally as the ‘String of Pearls’ and offers a rewarding way of discovering some of the loveliest quietly nestled villages. It is a very attractive route and is relatively easy for the less experienced cyclist, with only a few short stretches of hills.
Duntisbournes, Frampton Mansell, Kemble, Cotswold Water Park, Cirencester (1023kb)
Lovely quiet and very gentle route around Cirencester, taking in the Cotswold Water Park, Kemble, and the attractive villages of Shorncote, Ewen, Tarlton, Sapperton, Frampton Mansell, Duntisbourne Abbots, and Daglingworth.
Lower Swell, Notgrove, Turkdean, Sherborne, Windrush and Great Rissington (1mb)
This is an interesting and fairly varied route that could be done as two separate rides, either starting at popular tourist destination of Bourton-on-the-Water or at nearby Lower Slaughter.
South West Cotswolds, Tetbury, Sherston, Malmesbury and Kemble (991kb)
This ride is geared more towards the more experienced cyclists given the distances involved. (It will take approximately 5.5 hours for a non long distance rider and is 35 miles long).
Winchcombe, Guiting Power (Turkdean and Hazleton) and Brockhampton (925kb)
This is a hilly route that takes in varied scenery, with the option of visiting the historic market town of Winchcombe, Sudeley Castle, Belas Knap and
several unspoilt Cotswold villages as well as a number of other places of interest.
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