Cycling type
Road
Distance
26 miles / 41.84 km
Duration
5 to 6 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Shape
Circular
Route description
An interesting day ride visiting the Cotswold Farm Park via Bourton-on-the Water, the Venice of the Cotswolds. There are plenty of pubs and features on route including the Donnington Brewery. Mostly quiet lanes but some hills.
Highlights
Cotswold Farm Park
Cotswold Farm Park is the home of rare breed conservation, this farm park contains a comprehensive collection of over 50 breeding flocks and herds of British rare breed farm animals. The park was established by Joe Henson and his business partner John Neave, in the late 1960’s when many of their traditional breeds were faced with imminent extinction. Besides being a vital shop window for the work of rare breed conservation, it is an important breeding centre for many of the animals they keep.
Bourton-on-the Water
Probably the most popular village in the Cotswolds, and often referred to as the Venice of the Cotswolds because the River Windrush runs right through the centre, Bourton on Water has a happy combination of this clear sparkling water and the attractive low bridges crossing it creates a charming scene. The Model Village is a mini replica of the village itself, Birdland Park and Gardens offer woodland, river and gardens inhabited by over 500 birds. Cotswold Motor Museum takes you on a journey right through 20th Century automobiles and the Cotswold Perfumery is a sensory experience with a difference!
Start
Address
OS Grid Ref
SP2564422741
What3Words
Refreshments
Pubs in Nether Westcote, Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadwell, Oddington, and Bledington
Navigation
1. Turn right from station, in 1/2 mile turn left, signed Foscot. Pass Bould and continue on to Idbury. In Idbury turn right (appears straight ahead), signed Westcote. After 1 mile, in Church Westcote, turn left after passing the church.
2. At T-junction turn right onto A424, signed Stow, TAKE CARE this is a busy road, after 1/2 mile turn left, signed Little Rissington. Straight over X roads, and descend through Little Rissington.
3. In Bourton-on-the-Water, turn left (appears straight ahead), signed No PSV’s, turn right WITH CARE at T-junction onto A429, signed Stow, then immediately turn left, signed Naunton.
4. After 1/4 mile turn right, signed Upper Slaughter and in just over a mile turn left at T-junction, signed Upper Slaughter. If you wish, take a small detour into Upper Slaughter, otherwise continue on road (continue with note 5).
5. Turn left at T-junction onto B4048, signed Cheltenham then turn right at X roads, signed Cotswolds Farm Park, follow this road for 2 1/2 miles, then turn left into Cotswolds Farm Park.
6. Turn right out of Cotswolds Farm Park, signed Bourton-on-the-Water, then 1/2 mile turn left at X roads, signed Stow. Descend for 1 1/2 miles and turn left, signed Condicote, straight over X roads, signed Condicote.
7. After passing Trout Farm turn right (appears to be straight on, DO NOT take road signed Broadway). Turn right at T-junction, WITH CARE. Turn left, signed Donnington and descend through the village.
8. Straight over X roads, TAKE CARE, signed Broadwell, passing through the ford at Broadwell. Straight on, then turn right at T-junction onto A436, signed Stow and turn left, into Oddington.
9. Turn right at T-junction, signed Upper Oddington, pass through village and then turn left at T-junction onto B4450, signed Bledington, follow the road for 3 miles to Kingham Station.