Two Centre: Cotswolds & Cornwall Bike Hike

Arrive in The Cotswolds or Cornwall (as preferred). Our recommendation is to start in Cheltenham. Stay overnight. 

A: Linear route (cycling) from Cheltenham to Moreton-in-Marsh (Full route: 30 miles / 48 km | Short Route: 23 miles / 37 km)  

Our team will meet your clients at their hotel at 9.30am (unless otherwise arranged) with the bikes and tour pack, ready to start the day. The day begins with a short transfer from Cheltenham to the start of the route in The Cotswolds to begin the ride to Moreton-in-Marsh. Ride through a selection of local Cotswold villages past picture postcard views to the delightful village of Snowshill, before continuing your journey to Moreton. On the way, take in the delightful Manor House at Snowshill and explore its wonderful collection of historic artefacts. Then say hello to the traditional farm breeds at The Cotswold Wildlife Park or visit the Indian architecture of Sezincote House. 

Stay overnight in Moreton-in-Marsh. Luggage will be transferred. 

B: Circular route (walking) from Moreton-in-Marsh via Batsford (Full route: 6.75 miles / 10 km | No Short Route)  

The village of Blockley is one of the jewels of the Cotswolds that is often overlooked. The little stream that runs through it once supported a dozen mills that were used for all manner of industry from flour milling to silk weaving. The delightful old buildings, ponds and streams now offer wonderful opportunities for creative gardeners. At Batsford there is gardening on a much larger scale with an Arboretum inspired by the mountain sides of Asia Minor and a Falconry Centre running regular demonstrations. The cottages, church and 14th century tithe barn at Bourton on the Hill make a wonderful and very English scene. 

Stay overnight in Moreton-in-Marsh. No luggage transfer required. 

C: Linear route (cycling) from Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water (Full route: 25.5 miles / 41 km | Short route: 18 miles / 29 km) 

Cycling past the River Evenlode, day four will take you from Moreton in Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water via traditional Cotswold villages such as Stow-on-the-Wold and Upper Slaughter. Bourton-on-the-Water offers a unique country experience, with a range of attractions providing something for everyone. 

Stay overnight in Bourton-on-the-Water. Luggage will be transferred. 

D: Circular route (walking) from Bourton-on-the-Water (Full route: 11 miles / 17 km | Short Route: 8 miles / 12 km) 

A walk over rolling hills through mixed farmland takes you up to Cold Ashton. Here you can rest in a traditional English pub before strolling on to Naunton where pretty stone cottages nestle in a valley surrounded by sheep, pleasant countryside and horse racing gallops. Follow the River Windrush down through lush meadows and woods past a lost medieval village back to Bourton. 

Stay overnight in Bourton-on-the-Water. No luggage transfer required. 

E: Linear route (cycling) from Bourton-on-the-Water to Cirencester (Full route: 25 miles / 40 km | No short route) 

This cycle route includes a visit to Northleach, an old market town, and Bibury, the most beautiful village in England according to artist William Morris, before continuing on to the old market town of Cirencester. 

OR 

Please note, on the four, five- or six-night tour, this route is replaced with a direct route to Cheltenham.  

Stay overnight in Cirencester or Cheltenham. Luggage will be transferred. 

F: Circular route (walking) from Cirencester (Full route: 12 miles / 19km | Middle Route 10 / 16km | Short Route: 2.5 miles / 4km)  

Enjoy a walking circuit from Cirencester via the gorgeous village of Coates near to Cirencester Park, part of the Bathurst Estate. Continue past The Tunnel House, opened in 1783 to provide accommodation and refreshments for some of the 2-300 navvies who worked on the Thames and Severn Canal and particularly on the Sapperton Tunnel whose south-eastern portal you will have just crossed. Walk past the source of the River Thames and along the Thames Path to Ewen and on to the Roman Amphitheatre before returning to Cirencester. 

Stay overnight in Cirencester. No luggage transfer required.  

G: Linear route (cycling) from Cirencester to Cheltenham (Full route: 25 miles / 40 km | No Short Route) 

Cycle from Cirencester to Cheltenham and visit many of the pretty Cotswold Villages. Don’t forget to visit the Roman Villa at Chedworth! This is the most complete villa in Britain with mosaic floors, bath houses and heating system all on display in their original settings. There is also a collection of artefacts in the museum and an interesting visitor centre. 

Stay overnight in Cheltenham. Luggage will be transferred. 

H: A circular walk from Cheltenham via Leckhampton and Seven Springs (Full route: 12 miles / 19 km | Short Route: 8 miles / 13km)  

 Hike out of Cheltenham to the top of Leckhampton Hill, where you will be rewarded by some superb views of the Severn Vale and Cheltenham as well as some interesting historical sites. Continue on through the village of Coberley where you will then find the church of St. Giles. Its unexpected setting and grand monuments tells a long history of the village that now stands. The walk will also take you to Seven Springs, the disputed source of the River Thames. 

Stay overnight in Cheltenham. No luggage transfer required. 

Travel to Truro or Penzance by car or train (Transport not included)  

(The following routing showcases the journey from Truro)  

I: Circular route (cycling) from Truro (Full route: 29 miles / 47km | Short Route: 19 miles / 31 km)  

Today’s route takes you from Truro via the Roseland Peninsula, taking in the best of the local landscape. It uses mostly country lanes and cycle paths once you have left Truro and is a peaceful day’s riding. This is the most challenging route of the trip with a lot of hills, but a shortcut has been provided if you need it. The full route is hillier than the shortcut, but worth it to see the truly spectacular scenery in the local area. Please note, the trip includes a transfer via King Harry’s Ferry, which costs £1.50 per person and is payable locally. 

Overnight in Truro. No luggage transfer required. 

J: Linear route (cycling) from Truro to Mullion via Falmouth (Full route: 35 miles / 56 km | No Short Route) 

Traversing between Truro and Helston for your next overnight, this route takes you past the old tin mine at Wheal Jane to Penryn, once the main port in this area, where you’ll find its heritage displayed in some fine architecture from Tudor to Georgian and in a small museum. Continue down the coast to Falmouth, a busy pleasant town where the atmosphere is flavoured by the salt sea air. Here you can visit several exotic gardens, a Maritime Museum and some pleasant beaches. Impressive fortifications of Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle still dominate the headland. Continue past more subtropical gardens to Gweek on the Helford Creek, the home of the National Seal Sanctuary where they rescue injured seal pups from local beaches and also care for other abandoned sea mammals, before ending in Mullion. The terrain is not as tough as the circuit from Truro, but there are still some steep climbs out of Truro and around Falmouth, Constantine and Gweek. 

Overnight in Mullion. Luggage will be moved. 

K: Circular route (walking) from Mullion via Kynance Cove (Full route: 8.5 miles / 13.7km | Short Route: 6 miles / 10 km) 

Take the bus down to Lizard Village, the most southerly point of the British mainland. It has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times and the coast around it still attracts modern travellers. From the famous lighthouse, follow one of the most dramatic and beautiful sections of the coast path back to Mullion, past the sheltered beaches and remarkable rock formations of Kynance Cove. Please note, the bus ticket costs £15 and is payable locally.  

Overnight in Mullion. No luggage transfer required. 

L: Linear route (cycling) from Mullion to Penzance (Full route: 33 miles / 53 km | No Short Route)  

Head from Mullion, across Goonhilly Downs and then through the Penrose Estate, an area of woodland around the Loe Pool now owned by the National Trust.  The bustling Cornish town of Penzance is an historic port with sub-tropical gardens and with views across Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount, there will be plenty of photo opportunities. 

Overnight in Penzance. Luggage will be moved. 

M: Circular route (walking) from Penzance via Lands End (Full route: 15 miles / 24 km | Short Route: 9 miles / 14 km) 

Travel via bus to Lands End and then enjoy a delightful walk back to Penzance. The route can be shortened at any point by taking a bust journey back to the hotel. You will then stay overnight in Penzance. Please note, the bus is payable locally and will cost from £3 to £8 per person. 

Overnight in Penzance. No luggage transfer required. 

N: Linear route (cycling) from Penzance to Truro (Full route: 32 miles / 52 km | No Short Route) 

Leave Penzance and ride to the north coast where the mudflats of the River Hayle are a rich habitat for wading birds. Follow the coast road past miles of sand dunes then above rugged cliffs with spectacular views of the Atlantic. Explore a woodland cycle trail at the tranquil Tehidy Country Park, on the way to the popular surfing cove at Portreath. This was one of the main mining areas in Cornwall until the early 20th century and you can still visit Cornish Goldsmiths workshops and exhibition and the Tolgus Tin Streaming works nearby. The ride ends along beautiful wooded valleys back into Truro. 

Overnight in Truro. Luggage will be transferred. 

O: Circular route (walking) from Truro via St Mawes (Full route: 12.5 miles / 20 km | No Short Route) 

Circular walking route from Truro via St Mawes. A taxi will collect you and transfer you to Falmouth to catch the ferry to St Mawes. The ferry is payable on the day and will cost £7.50 each. St Mawes is a small town opposite Falmouth on the Roseland Peninsula. 

Optional Extension to Isles of Scilly from Penzance (2 nights / 3 days) 

Day 1: Leave your hotel in the morning and ride by bike to the ferry port to take the morning ferry. This is a short 5-10minute ride through Penzance to the Quay. Board the ferry with the bikes and travel to the Isles of Scilly. Disembark on St Mary’s Island and then explore at your leisure. The luggage will be transferred by taxi to the ferry port to be loaded by the client in Penzance (this is a mandatory security measure). The bags will then be tagged and offloaded in Isles of Scilly, with a direct transfer to the hotel. 

Day 2: Free exploration of the Island. 

Day 3: Explore the island at your leisure before returning to the port for the Ferry (usually afternoon). The luggage will be transported from the hotel to the ferry port and loaded onto the ferry. Clients will disembark the ferry, collect their luggage, give it to the taxi company and then return to their hotel by bike. 

Optional Extension to the Eden Project (2 nights, 3 days) 

Day 1: Cycle from Truro to Charlestown (or St Austell) via Mevagissey. Stay in Charlestown (or St Austell, depending on availability). Luggage will be transferred.  

Day 2: Cycle from Charlestown (or St Austell) to the Eden Project. A short 4-mile cycle from Charlestown takes you to The Eden Project, where you can spend the day exploring the gardens and tropical domes at your leisure. Return to Charlestown (or St Austell) via bike on the same 4-mile route and stay in Charlestown (or St Austell – subject to availability). Eden Project ticket included. 

Day 3: Cycle from Charlestown (or St Austell) to Truro via Pentowan and Heligan – another garden for your clients to explore. Stay overnight in Truro. 

The key details of this tour include:

• The routing is subject to accommodation availability and client preference on start location, but will be as follows using the Route letters as per the itinerary tab.
• The following routes are mandatory for all tours 9 day, 8 night including: A C E (via Cheltenham), K M and O. 
• The following routes are optional and can be added to make the tour as long as required up to 23 nights including: B D F G H I J L N plus Isles of Scilly and Eden. 
• This tour can start in Cheltenham, Truro or Penzance.
• This tour can be from 8 to 23 days.

This tour has many highlights including:

• Cotswold villages such as Moreton-in-Marsh and Bourton-on-the-Water
• Cornish towns and villages including Truro and Penzance
• Traditional cream teas and lots of Cornish Pasties!

Getting to Cheltenham in the Cotswolds

By Rail/Bus – The nearest train station to Cheltenham is Cheltenham Spa. National Express and Megabus also operate several routes from Cheltenham.

By Car – The Cotswolds and Cheltenham can be reached via the M4 exit at the junction for Swindon, The M5 when travelling from the north or south, exit at junction 11.

By Air – There are a number of airports close to Cheltenham and the Cotswolds including Bristol and Birmingham.

For more information on getting to the Cotswolds please visit The Cotswolds website.