There’s nothing like a cycling holiday to get a taste of freedom and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life – just you, your bike, the open road and some beautiful countryside to behold. And cycling in the Cotswolds will give you all you’re looking for and more, with some truly stunning locations to discover.
If you’re not looking to test yourself but still want to see what the Cotswolds has to offer, you might want to start with the Stroud Valleys Trail. This is a traffic-free route so ideal if you have younger children with you and it’s only five miles long so you won’t exhaust yourselves.
It follows the line of the old Midland railway, starting in Stonehouse, with some amazing views of the Cotswolds to the east. Keep your eyes peeled for lots of water mills as you follow the River Frome, Stroudwater Canal and the Nailsworth Stream along the route.
For something a little more on the challenging side, you could pedal your way from Painswick to Winchcombe, a steep ride from start to finish that will take you past the Great Witcombe Roman Villa, as well as Chedworth Roman Villa and Belas Knap. It’s a 38-mile bike ride, so a good one for more experienced cyclists.
And if you’re keen to reward yourself in style once you reach the end of your bike ride, the Nailsworth Circular could be a great choice. This little town in Gloucestershire is famous for its award-winning pubs and restaurants, so you can work up an appetite on your bike, knowing you’ll be able to sate your hunger properly once you’ve finished the tour.