114 | Cycling World
combination of Cotswold stone and black and white
half-timber buildings offers good bouti ue sho ing
and the chance to rummage around antique shops,
plus an excellent choice of cafes and restaurants.
Day 5: Winchcombe to Burford
The challenge continues as you climb and descend
the Cotswold hills, passing well-known villages which
sum up the essence of the Cotswolds to many: well
photographed ‘chocolate box’ villages attracting
visitors from all over the world, featured in many
films and well worth a visit. Charming Cotswold
terraced cottages along the banks of the River
Eye can be found in the Slaughters (Upper and
Lower) and Upper Slaughter is known as a ‘sainted
village’ as it didn’t lose anyone in the First World
War. Bourton-on-the-Water is entitled ‘The Venice
of the Cotswolds’, with beautiful bridges that cross
the River Windrush and the village has a number
of independent shops selling a variety of items, as
well a model village, motoring museum and toy
collection displaying vintage cars and motorbikes
across seven showrooms.
The quiet country lanes take you to Tetbury, with
its unique Royal associations as it is home to Prince
Charles’ Highgrove Shop in the town centre and the
nearby Highgrove House and gardens (garden visits
bookable). Its quaint side streets, newly renovated
old railway building as an arts centre (Tetbury
Goods Shed) and its numerous independent shops
and food outlets make it a preferred stop for lunch
or a tea break.
The ride from Tetbury to Stroud along the commons
offers some excellent views and a chance for a rest
at Winstone’s Ice Cream Parlour on Rodborough
Common, open every day of the year apart from
Christmas Day and Boxing Day, come rain or shine.
Descend back into Stroud and a chance to look
around this town if you missed the opportunity on
the first day.
The route carries on alongside the willow-fringed
River Windrush to Burford, another Cotswold gem
with a long, slo ing High Street featuring dignified
Cotswold homes, numerous antique shops and great
ice cream and tea sho s. The narrow alleys offer the
chance to explore what the side streets have
to offer.
Day 6: Burford to Cirencester
Less climbing is involved in today’s ride, therefore
the ride is described as ‘easy to moderate’ and is
largely along quiet country lanes. Wind your way
around Cotswold Villages, including Eastleach
Turville and Coln St Aldwyns. If you ever wondered
where the image of the row of terraced cottages
on the inside page of your passport is based, you
will recognise Arlingham Row in Bibury, a village
described by William Morris as ‘the most beautiful
village in England’. Film-makers must agree as it has
been a setting used in Bridget Jones’s Diary and in
Stardust. The village’s wool heritage is also clear
through place names such as Rack Isle, where wool
was hung out to dry, and riders can also visit the
trout fisheries and water meadows.
The route finishes at Cirencester which celebrates
its Roman history in the Corinium Museum and
whose thriving market square is home to many
independent shops as well as the cathedral-
like parish church. Cirencester has superb parks
including the Abbey Grounds, Cirencester Park
and St Michael’s Park, and even has an open-air
swimming pool.
Day 7: Cirencester to Stroud
Wind your way back to Stroud, mainly along the
flat, assing through the Cotswolds ater ark area
with its 150 lakes set over 40 square miles. This
area offers activities for everyone, from walking
and nature-watching to water sports and sailing,
angling, shooting and paintballing.
It even has a beach.
Gloucestershire has much to offer. No wonder Lonely
Planet has named the south Cotswolds as one of
Europe’s best kept secrets. Come and discover it.
Entry fees apply to some of the attractions
mentioned in this article.