Bikes, Boats and Birds, a Gloucestershire Cycling Short Break

Three to five day itineraries available.

Ride 1 - Set off from Slimbridge and cycle to Berkeley, a modest little town with an important history. Be sure to spend time here and visit Berkeley Castle and the Jenner Museum. Continue cycling to see the visitors centre at Oldbury Power Station before heading for a refreshing drink at the Windbound Inn. This lovely pub nestles almost under the banks of the River Severn and if the weather is clear you should be able to see the original Severn Bridge and possibly the new one beyond that! The pub got its name from the old barge men who came ashore for a drink and would explain the lost time to their bosses by claiming they had been Windbound!

Ride 2 - Today's cycle ride will takes you to St Augustine's Farm, a charming and informative combination of the traditional farmyard and modern dairy techniques. After this you will continue cycling on to Frampton on Severn, which boasts the largest village green in the country at 22 acres. It is not only the size which makes it so impressive but that it also has the elements of an ideal English green; a cricket pitch, two pubs, three ponds, an old fashioned shop and benches to sit and watch the world go by. It is also surrounded by a wonderful collection of buildings from humble little cottages to the classical splendour of Frampton Court. (Not 2 night).

Ride 3 - A short straight out and back cycle ride will see you climb nearly 500 feet into the Cotswolds, giving you plenty of time to stop and see the great views. After, continue cycling onto Uleybury Hill Fort which is among the finest Iron Age encampments in the country dating from around 300 BC. In its final phase of development the natural defences of the landscape had been supplemented by three huge earth banks. The enclosed area was large enough to include a number of small fields as well as the dwellings making it quite self sufficient in the event of siege. A path runs round all four sides of the top bank and the views from there are breathtaking, it is worth leaving your bikes and walking up to the top. (Not 2 or 3 night)

Key Details:

• Two day, one night or three day, two night itineraries to choose from.
• This cycling tour will start in Slimbridge and finish in Uleybury.

There are lots of attractions and places to explore during your cycling short break in Gloucestershire including:

• Butterfly Collection
• Jenner Museum
• Oldbury Visitors Centre
• Owlpen Manor
• The Severn Bore
• St. Augustine’s Farm
• Traditional English inns & pubs
• Berkeley Castle

Getting to Gloucestershire:

By Rail/Bus – The closest station with bus connection is Stroud followed by a taxi or Stagecoach 61 bus.  and a 20 min walk to the hotel .

By Car – Slimbridge can be reached via the M5 Motorway exit junction 13 of 14.

By Air – The nearest airport to Slimbridge is Bristol followed by a taxi ride.

For more information on getting to Gloucestershire please visit the The City of Gloucester website.