Malmesbury Rides

Ride 1 - Cycle through the villages of Milbourne and Charlton to the old market town of Tetbury.  Its handsome buildings are evidence of a prosperous past when it was at the centre of the wool trade. The Market House, standing on 18 rotund Tuscan columns, dates from 1655.  The ride continues to Westonbirt Arboretum with its 18000 species of trees before heading back to Malmesbury via Easton Grey and Foxley.

Approx distance 21 or 28.5 miles (34 or 46 km)

Ride 2 - Todays ride takes you through Garsdon and minet to the Cotswold Water Park whose many lakes were formed as a result of gravel extraction. These have been landscaped creating valuable habitat for wildlife including three nature reserves. There are also lakes set aside for a range of water sports from sailing to jet skiing.  Head back through Oaksey and Eastcourt to Malmesbury

Ride 3 - Cycle to Castle Combe whose name has quite clear origins. The 'Castle' is an ancient earthwork used by the Romans, Saxons and Norman’s and Combe is of course the Old English for valley. The village developed as a centre for the wool and cloth trade from the 14th century. One Lord of the Manor during this time was Sir John Fastolf; a large and loud knight who is though to have been the inspiration for Shakespeare's similarly named character.  Castle Combe was also dubbed ‘England’s prettiest village’ in an article in Time Magazine.

Approx distance 23.5 or 28.5 miles (38 or 46 km)

• Two night - three day, three night - four day and a four night - five day itinerary to choose from.
• This is a single centre cycling short break based in the Wiltshire market town of Malmesbury

Malmesbury

Malmesbury Abbey

Cotswold Water Park

Westonbirt Aboretum

Castle Combe dubbed ‘England’s prettiest village’ by Time Magazine.

The market town of Tetbury

Getting to the Cotswolds

By Rail –

The nearest train station to Malmesbury is Chippenham.  From here you can take a local bus (route 92) to Malmesbury.  Below are websites that can help you plan your route.

Trainline

Local Bus

By Bus – 

National Express run services from towns in the UK to Malmesbury

National Express

By Car – Malmesbury can be reached by Motorway and local roads. The website below can help you plan your journey.

The AA Route Planner

By Air – The nearest airport to Malmesbury is Bristol.  You can then take a train to Chippenham and a local bus to Malmesbury.  The websites below can help you plan your journey.

Skscanner

Trainline

Local Bus