A Day in the Cotswolds

If you're looking for a relaxing Sunday ride with a touch of history and stunning scenery, join this gravel bike adventure in the Cotswolds!

With its rolling hills, sweeping rivers, sleepy honey-coloured stone villages, and the mighty Blenheim Palace, it's the perfect setting for a relaxed Sunday ride. It's a relaxed all-day ride, with an easy pace and plenty of time for lunch and rest stops.

The group will meet at the Cycle Hub Cafe in Oxford, minutes away from the train station. From there, follow the peaceful Oxford Canal north to Kidlington. Then, branch off onto the ultra bike-friendly Blenheim Estate, where the group will enjoy easy gravel riding past Vanbrugh’s colossal Palace.

Next, you'll follow the Evenlode Valley, climbing to Stonesfield, a place of historical significance. Here, local geologist William Buckland discovered fossils that revolutionized our understanding of prehistoric life. After a leisurely lunch in Charlbury, continue along the valley to Ascott under Wychwood, before climbing out and heading to Witney for tea and cake.

Refreshed, you'll join the Thames Valley and follow the river back to Oxford. This is an easy, gentle ride on mostly flat terrain, perfect for a relaxed Sunday. You'll enjoy stunning scenery, including rolling hills, quaint villages, and historic sites. 

73 km | 580m | 65% off-road. Average pace - 10/12 kmph