The Cotswolds bike tour comprises a wonderful series of routes
through the beautiful region that lies to the north of Bath in the
West of England. The Cotswolds tour can stand alone as a 7-night
tour or can be seamlessly linked with routes from the adjacent
Wessex tour itinerary to give a 9-night tour (link to Cotswolds
and Marlborough Downs) or a 12-night
tour.
The Cotswolds is a unique region with some of the finest rural
landscapes in England. Gently undulating hills and tree-lined
valleys rise gradually from the
meadowlands of the upper reaches of the River Thames to the dramatic
limestone escarpment that is the high point of the Cotswolds.
From here, the hills sweep down westwards to the Vale of Evesham
and the Severn Vale. The Cotswolds region is particularly renowned
for the beauty of its villages and towns, built of the characteristic
Cotswold limestone. The colour of the stone varies, from the honey
colouring of the north, through the golden hues of the central
region down to the pearly white stone associated with Bath.
The golden age for the Cotswolds came with the growth of the
wool trade in medieval times, when trading, processing and weaving
brought great prosperity to the region. The wealthy wool merchants
invested in fine houses
and in the endowment of the imposing "wool churches"
that dominate the towns and villages. It is the combination of
beautiful landscapes and beautiful villages, together with the
abundance of lightly trafficked country roads and lanes of that
makes the Cotswolds such an attractive cycling destination.
From Bath, the first day’s biking starts with a climb
as the route takes you north from the Avon Valley into the Southern
Cotswolds. Once on the plateau, you skirt around Badminton Estate,
and pass Westonbirt Arboretum en route to the market town of Tetbury.
Route 2 first heads west to the Golden Valley of the River Frome
before turning north to visit in turn, Withington, Bourton-on-the-Water
and The 
Slaughters.
A final climb brings you to the finish in Stow-on-the-Wold.
Route 3 is circular ride to the north of Stow encompassing Chipping
Norton, The Rollright Stones, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Chipping Campden
and Broadway.
Route 4 strikes out south from Stow, taking in The Barringtons,
Burford and Northleach on the way to Cirencester.
Route 5 is a circuit to the east of Cirencester through Bibury,
Coln St Aldwyns, Fairford and Ampney Crucis.
Route 6 leads south from Cirencester to Malmesbury and then Castle
Combe before a final long descent back to Bath.
