Holiday Highlights
- Staying at Harrington House, a comfortable HF Country House in the centre of picturesque Bourton
- Three days guided cycling with an experienced leader
- Enjoying leisurely rides through beautiful rolling countryside
- Visiting the famous Cotswold market town of Stow-on-the-Wold
- Visiting the historic village of Bibury, famous for its stone cottages which once housed weavers
- Cycling through beautiful chocolate box villages
Itinerary
- Meals: Dinner
Today is set aside to allow you to arrive into Bourton at your convenience. You will meet your leader and the rest of the group, and enjoy a leisurely evening meal at Harrington House.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 600 Metres Approx.
Our first ride takes us south via the village of Northleach, with its lovely wool church, to the peaceful Coln valley. The key attraction here is the much photographed village of Bibury, whose honey-coloured 17th century stone houses are typical of the area’s rustic settlements.
In the Middle Ages, the Cotswolds were known for the quality of wool produced in the area, and many merchants became rich, building many impressive houses and churches as signs of their wealth. Bibury was built to house cloth weavers who supplied woolen cloth for nearby mills and was described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England”, a bold claim you can verify yourself!
Your return to Bourton is equally picturesque, as you pass through more chocolate box villages and ride past stately homes.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 600 Metres Approx.
Today we’ll head east, crossing the Cotswolds to Shipton-under-Wychwood in the Evenlode Valley. We’ll continue north to the village of Adelstrop, made famous by Edward Thomas’ poem, then on to the charming market town of Stow-on-the-Wold. With our ride nearly complete, its only a short distance along the back roads to Bourton-on-the-Water.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.
Today’s a slightly longer day in the saddle with a bit more climbing, but you’ll be raring to go by now! We’ve got a great ride planned, that explores villages off the beaten track as well as the well-known villages of Winchcombe, Broadway and Snowshill. We’ll pass through the beautiful grounds of Stanway Estate, ride along the base of the Cotswold escarpment, and follow quiet roads with plenty of interesting places to explore along the way. A hilly start, followed by a flatter ride from Winchcombe, an ascent to Snowshill, then a well-earned descent back to Harrington Hall.
- Meals: Breakfast
Today we’ll have a leisurely breakfast together, and with plenty of miles in our legs and memories made, you’ll set off on your onward journeys home.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
The Cotswolds is renowned for an extensive network of rolling country lanes and whilst we do occasionally have to cross slightly busier roads, the only times we really venture off the quiet lanes are when we visit some of the region’s lovely small towns and villages or when our route takes us onto occasional designated cycle paths.
The rural lanes are often very narrow but are, when away from the towns and villages, generally low on traffic, making for a peaceful and relaxed riding experience.
Whilst the roads can be described as “mainly rolling” our routes do take in occasional steeper climbs but these are few and far between and are never particularly lengthy.

Leisure Cycling Grade
Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays
Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes
Features some modest climbs
Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc).
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Holidays that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.
Dates & Prices

Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
Whats Included 
A) Shared twin (or double) room (single room may be available on request, for a supplement)
B) Full tour service including guides and a back-up vehicle carrying spares, snacks and extra equipment not needed on your bike
C) At least one leader qualified in First Aid
D) Full-board including picnic lunch and en route refreshments
E) Secure bike storage and bike wash facilities
F) Train station collections / drop-offs on scheduled arrival and departure days
What's not Included 
A) Personal clothing and equipment
B) Travel insurance
C) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
D) Bike & helmet rental (available if required)
E) Travel or flight costs and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
F) Single room option (may be available if required)
G) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres
H) Other optional activities
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Reviews
Julia, Surrey, UKAnother lovely cycle tour..I enjoyed both days, the Cotswolds are such a stunningly beautiful part of the UK and the pace enabled me to enjoy its treasures.
There was clear information provided pre-trip and on the first evening about extra precautions and feeling empowered to challenge anyone or if you felt uncomfortable – which was a good bit of information – but in the event our group were very aware and didn’t need to use this!
Another lovely cycle tour with Saddle Skedaddle – I can’t thank enough Richard and David for sorting out my own bicycle after day one – over and above the call of duty – really appreciated.
Judy, UKVery impressive!My holiday in the Cotswold’s was my first experience with Skedaddle. I was very impressed with how the guides were very friendly and were happy to take time and effort to make sure everyone had a good time. I struggled a bit with the cycling but the team helped me to still be able to enjoy the day. The snacks/lunch during the ride were lovely – very welcome!
Christopher, Lincolnshire, UKExcellent...Food excellent, bed comfortable, view from bedroom amazing, WiFi good. The room shower was like standing under a hot monsoon rain shower – just what one needed after a day in the saddle (corny but true!). The lunches on offer by the guides were very good.