Recommend this trip however, keep in mind the hills and potential for rainy weather. I had really looked forward to the Lake District but mother nature had other ideas and due to rain it was head down, watching the road and I cycled. All in all good scenery when available to us although no truly blue skies until the extension. I would consider something other than the hotel in Penrith at the start. Really appreciated seeing 3 differing areas and style of countryside and geology. Hattie and Dan were wonderful guides and kept us all going despite the weather. The 4 stars was due to feeling like we could have had more cultural experiences. Hattie wonderful in talking about culture although that's not quite the same.
England
PlanForHills
Ruth D, Iowa
England & Scotland: Lake District to Edinburgh
Solo traveler - loving every minute!
This was a fabulous trip made special by excellent biking, wonderful guides, excellent hotels, and some of the most beautiful views/vistas. Our trip was also great because of my fellow travelers. We had a great group of people and as a solo traveler was made to feel welcome/included by the guides and everyone on the trip. I initially was hesitant about the electric-assist bikes being an old-school cyclist but by day two was fully on board and happy to have them since the terrain was hilly. They made biking all the more enjoyable. Great trip all around and now one of my favorites.
Margaret H, New Jersey
England & Scotland: Lake District to Edinburgh
Late Spring in the Cotswolds
We really lucked out with the weather, signed up for the trip in Sept. the year before. Lovely scenery for bike riding, we choose E-Bikes after reading other reviews, a first, usually ride road bikes or Hybrids, glad we did, it has some punchy hills, made for an enjoyable ride I think 17 out of 20 guests also rode e-bikes. Also with an e-bike you have some suspension, which came in handy as some of the road surfaces are chunky or bumpy. The Hotels and Inns were charming with smallish rooms and good dinners and breakfasts offered. Dining out in the smaller towns was limited, lots of choices suggested by VBT were very good. Oxford and Bath were fun towns with lots of history and good pubs.
Painter, Maine
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
Wonderful experience with great guides and tours.
The guided bicycling trip through the Cotswolds was excellent. Our guides, Will and Dan made our trip a wonderful experience. They chose beautiful rides over varied terrain to keep things interesting, took care of our bicycles and accommodations and were generally wonderful people to be around. We were also lucky to have an exceptional group for this tour. I unreservedly recommend Will and Dan, our guides, and this tour.
Jill R, Loveland, Colorado
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
A Fantastic Trip
What a fantastic trip this was. This was my 6th time going to England, but my first for the Cotswold region and what an extraordinary time it was. The food was fantastic, everywhere you looked the views were spectacular. It was fantastic trip which I would do again in a heart beat.
Tasha, Vermont
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
Cream Tea, Charming Gardens, Lovely Walks
My husband and I did this self-guided tour in early September and absolutely loved it. Country Walkers did an impeccable job taking care of every detail--booking hotels, moving our suitcases between hotels, and, best of all, the "route notes" book was so detailed and had everything we needed from step-by-step directions and restaurant suggestions to history and ideas for things to do. It felt like a wonderful adventure following the famous paths through sheep pastures and little forest thickets, past gardens and ancient churches, and climbing over or around all the different gates. It was often overcast and misty in the mornings, but the mid-day sun burned it all away. Our highlights are choosing to stop for an hour to check out the Hailes Abbey Museum and rubbing elbows with some locals at the only pub in a tiny village. So many great memories! We liked the intimate experience of doing a self-guided trip and the independence (without the planning!) that it provided. We spent some extra days in London at the end of our trip...that was just icing on the cake.
Ashlea, South Burlington, VT
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
VBT Bicycling Vacations
Country Walkers