Olde Worlde England

Cycling

The west country is arguably the area of England where you can enjoy the most olde worlde England character in the whole of the country. We will start in Bristol, and enjoy an easy first day along cycle paths to Bath, leaving plenty of time to explore. From there we will loop north through the Cotswalds to Gloucester and back south through olde worlde Cotswalds scenery to Swindon. The route continues across the North Wessex downs to Stonehenge and Salisbury, before heading back towards Bristol via Shepton Mallett, Wells and the Cheddar Gorge. No day is very long, with the emphasis very much on enjoying sightseeing as well as riding. Yes, there is some climbing – that is impossible to avoid. But the daily distances are very short (218 miles in 9 days of riding, with 11,650 feet of ascent).

Highlights

• Bath! Elegant Georgian architecture at its best.
• The Cotswalds AONB: the chance to imagine you have stepped back in time as we wander through the most scenic villages.
• Stonehenge: the most spectacular stone circle in England.
• Cheddar Gorge: a stunning feature of the natural landscape to go alongside the wonderful cultural sites we visit en route.
• Wells: England’s smallest city is a medieval delight
• Gently rolling cycling: hills are almost enjoyable when they roll up and down like this!

Accommodation

Comfortable hotels and high-quality B&Bs on a twin-share, bed-and-breakfast basis. We aim to keep the group together, though occasionally you may be split between nearby properties.

Single rooms are available for a £495 supplement.

Meals

Breakfast is provided by your hotel. Our support team delivers generous, high-quality packed lunches using the best local produce—think fresh sandwiches, bakery bites, fruit and cakes. If the weather turns, we’ll stop at a café instead.

On the road, regular van stops (or occasional cafés) offer hot and cold drinks, snacks, and sweet and savoury treats to keep you fuelled.

Evening meals are not included but are usually enjoyed together in carefully chosen restaurants—though you’re free to do your own thing.

We carry emergency energy supplies, but we recommend bringing your preferred ride nutrition.

(B, L, D) in the Tour Plan indicates meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Bike Transfers

We make getting your bike to the start of the tour easy. Free delivery is available from Sheffield to the start in Bristol and back again after the tour. Simply drop your bike at our Sheffield office before departure, or arrange collection from a convenient motorway service stop en route.

We handle all bikes with care, but recommend you have appropriate insurance, as we cannot accept liability for loss or damage during transport or storage.