DAY 3. CIRCULAR RIDE TO STRATFORD AND CHIPPING CAMPDEN

RIDE: 86 km | 750 m

Ride to the lovely famous gardens of Hidcote and Kiftsgate for your own horticultural inspiration before biking down the Cotswold’s scarp to Stratford upon Avon. The great bard, Shakespeare was born here and the village receives close to 2.5 million visitors each year who come to visit his home. Cycle on to the sweet little chocolate box village of Broadway before climbing back up the scarp past Snowshill Manor and delightful fields of lavender to impressive Broadway Tower with its refreshment stop overlooking 12 counties. It’s a short pedal on to Chipping Campden where once monarchs meandered (16th century King Charles II stayed here prior to fleeing in the 2nd Civil war) the gem of the Cotswolds, before returning to Moreton. What a great day!

DAY 4. MORETON IN MARSH TO BIBURY

RIDE: 67 km | 620 m | Extra Mileage available Today’s ride is a highlight of classic Cotswold landscapes and via former famous wool town, Stow on the Wold, (stop and pick up an antique or two at its shops!) and the lovely Slaughters and Bourton on Water. So pretty! Cycle through the Windrush valley to Burford, known as one of the most attractive towns in the Cotswolds and where we make our exit to explore mysterious Wiltshire. Steeped in history, it was the first Cotswold town to be granted a charter in 1087 and its high street, set on a steeped hill, gives you an example of every type of architectural period. Pedal on an old Roman road to arrive in Bibury, famous for its weavers’ cottages and pretty River Coln. Additional mileage from Bibury for those wanting to explore the tiny Coln valley.

DAY 5. BIBURY TO LACOCK

RIDE: 101 km | 586 m

Today ride to the Cotswold capital of Cirencester, which is a stately place and has been important since Roman times. An interesting area with some good spots to stop at. Prince Charles’ farm, Highgrove is at the market town of Tetbury, and you can take a drink there. Another spot if horticulture is your bag, visit the National Arboretum at Westonbirt. End the day in the village of Lacock. It is a charming place with a history back to the 13^th century and a wonderful medieval abbey to view.

DAY 6. LACOCK TO BATH AND BACK

RIDE: 66 km | 590 m

An exciting day today with an out and back to one of the most famous English cities, Bath. Ramble over to the 18th century Pulteney Bridges and try and fit in your camera viewfinder the Royal Crescent, open design of Georgian homes. Another literary giant came from here and you can visit the interesting Jane Austin museum today.  Amble around Bath Abbey which offers a breath-taking expanse of stained glass that is a delight when the morning light shines through and the elegant gardens and parks that offset one of England´s best examples of Georgian towns are tranquil shady spots to sit.  Leave Bath by heading into former railway tunnels and briefly along a magnificent canal to take in yet another characterful town at Bradford on Avon. Here there is a short climb as you head back to Lacock. Truly a day to remember!! Read our Blog on what to visit in Bath

DAY 7. LACOCK TO SALISBURY

RIDE:  77 km | 445 m

Today’s cycling is taking you into the Wiltshire district which is very much attuned to the Neolithic lives with fertility circles, massive sarsen stones and long barrows (hill burial tombs) spread over this area. Now a place for the modern day Druid to worship, they surely are worth a stop and photo shot. It is a peaceful rural countryside in the Avon valley. This tranquillity leads you to within a heart beat of Stonehenge and your final night’s stay in the historic cathedral city of Salisbury, a fascinating place.

DAY 8. TOUR STONEHENGE AND DEPART

This morning you can depart after breakfast to explore further reaches of England or also have the option to take a private transfer to the World Heritage site at Stonehenge with a 2 hour private guided tour. One of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments it surely is a most dramatic way to end your ride through this very historic corner of England.

We transfer you to Salisbury station and say, “Goodbye, come again soon!