Touring Oxford with OxBykes
Oxford is a beautiful city, and one of the easiest ways to see all the sites is by bike. Therefore we offer customised rental options to suit your touring plans. This includes drop off and collection of bikes anywhere in Oxford and one way rentals anywhere in the country. We also have a number of recommended routes below. To book, click the button below. Don't worry, any info you submit can be edited later if your plants change.
Oxford to Bath (Multi-day Ride)
Oxford lies between two stunning natural regions in southern England – the Cotswolds and the Chilterns. This route takes you to Bath via the Cotswolds, an area famous for picturesque farms and villages. Old market and trading towns look just as they did hundreds of years previous.
Although many manor houses are inhabited by the UK’s rich, famous and po- litically powerful – Jeremy Clarkson, Rupert Murdoch and David Cameron to name a few – by bicycle you will be able to see the past the tourist hotspots and the real day-to-day Cotswolds. Here, the local sandstone and rolling hills will be your backdrop as you pedal along to Bath, where the city itself is almost entirely constructed from it. The aim of this route is to show you this beautiful region via the old country roads of a place we call home.
Cotswolds Explorer (Multi-day Ride)
Info: 73.3 miles (118 km)
Starting on Broad Street, this route heads out into the Oxfordshire countryside via Islip and rolls over to Woodstock. In Woodstock you can visit Blenheim Palace, here there are two options: To see inside the palace you must book/buy a ticket and enter via the main entrance, to see only the grounds there is a public footpath entrance that you can take (marked on the map). In Woodstock you can grab a coffee from a number of local shops (Woodstock Coffee Shop is marked on the map) and supermarkets.
The route weaves out of Woodstock to Charlbury via Wotton - here the ‘Ye Olde Three Horseshoes’ is a spot to grab a drink. There is a station with a direct line to Oxford for those wanting to shorten the route (bikes must be pre-booked onto the service - this can be done by: messaging the train provider on facebook or to try book in the trainline app, if not then you can book by calling them directly).
After Charlbury, the route heads to Chipping Norton where there are plenty of options to refuel and hotels to spend the night. Properly in the Cotswolds now, you will take in the beautiful Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water. Again there options for food, drink and lodging at these locations. The route continues to distinctive hilled high street Burford, then returning to Oxford via Witney.
Chilterns and Thames Ride (Multi-day Ride)
Info: 83.6 miles (135 km)
Beautiful ride that can be split into two relatively equal days (stopping in Henley) or one longer and another shorter day (lodging in Sonning or Streatley). However there are many places to stay on route that are not marked outright on this map.
Initially you will ride from Oxford into the Buckinghamshire market-town of Thame, from here you will approach and then ascend the alpine-eske climb of Aston where you will be in the Chilterns. Riding past the beautiful Chiltern villages of Turville Heath and Stonor, you will find Stonor manor house as a place to stop and view, or perhaps the nearby Hundred Hills Winery will take your fancy (check opening times ahead of schedule). Carry on down the gentle hill to Henley-on-Thames, you will find a beautiful historic riverside town with a fine history of rowing. There are places to eat, drink and lodge here should you fancy it.
You will follow the river out of Henley to the pretty town of Wargrave where there is a cycling cafe (Velolife), and onto Sonning where you will cross the river into the Chilterns again. Back down the hill will lead you to more quaint riverside towns of Pangbourne, Streatley and then Wallingford - where there are options for food and lodging. From here it’s flat to Abingdon and back along the riverside to Oxford.
Cotswolds / Blenheim Palace (Day Ride)
Info: 47.1 miles (75.9 km)
A longer, more challenging ride punctuated by rolling hills in the Cotswold countryside.
Starting on Broad Street, this route heads out into the Oxfordshire countryside via Islip and rolls over to Woodstock. In Woodstock you can visit Blenheim Palace, here there are two options: To see inside the palace you must book/buy a ticket and enter via the main entrance, to see only the grounds there is a public footpath entrance that you can take (marked on the map). In Woodstock you can grab a coffee from a number of local shops (Woodstock Coffee Shop is marked on the map) and supermarkets.
The route weaves out of Woodstock to Charlbury via Wotton - here the ‘Ye Olde Three Horseshoes’ is a spot to grab a drink. There is a station with a direct line to Oxford for those wanting to shorten the route (bikes must be pre-booked onto the service - this can be done by: messaging the train provider on facebook or to try book in the trainline app, if not then you can book by calling them directly). The route then goes back to Oxford via Cotswolds country lanes with the potential stop at the ‘Jolly Boatman’ in Thrupp. From here the route returns to Oxford via Kidlington and then Islip again.
Brill Windmill Viewpoint (Day Ride)
Info: 27 miles (43.5 km)
This is a countryside ride, you will have to ride up a number of relatively small hills before the larger Brill Hill up to the viewpoint.
Starting on Broad Street this rides takes you out of Oxford via Marston road past the Islamic Centre. After riding up to Elsfield, you will pass along to Stanton St John where the Talkhouse pub is located for those wanting a rest stop. From here you will ride on beautiful country lanes to Oakley. From Oakley you will tackle the famous Brill Hill where a great view and pit stop await at the top. After Brill you will ride back to Oxford via Horton-cum-studley - again via country lanes where you can stop at the Up in Arms if you fancy a well deserved rest!
Abingdon Riverside Ride (Day Route)
Info: 16.7 miles (26.9 km)
This ride is an easy and flat ride where you will explore the river towpath and return on country lanes.
Starting on Broad Street, this route takes you down the riverside towpath along the stretch used for the famous Oxford bumps races. You will pass the Isis Farmhouse - a pub with a large outdoor seating area - before slowly working your way to Abingdon via cycle routes. In Abingdon there are a choice of many pubs (Nags Head and Brewery Tap have been highlighted as candidates) and cafes (Annie’s At The Boathouse for something simple or plenty of others in the center). Returning via beautiful country lanes, you will cycle through Hinksey park until reaching the Folly Bridge, where The Head of the River is situated for a well deserved post ride drink and feed.
Wytham Woods Explore Route (Day Ride)
Info: 9.2 miles (14.8 km)
An easy ride with one short hill up to Wytham Woods.
Starting from Broad street, this route winds up through quaint Jericho highstreet before following the quiet canal path up to Wolvercote. After joining the Godstow Road there are three pubs to choose from (The White Hart, Jacobs Inn and The Trout), after which you will head up the Wytham hill (the site of the Oxford University Annual Hill Climb) to the woods themselves. An area of outstanding beauty and extensive scientific study, lock the bikes up before heading out for a little stroll amongst the tree canopy where art installations are often found.
Descending the hill into Wytham, you will head back towards Wolvercote, this time taking the riverside bridleway with the possibility to stop off at the famous Perch pub. After crossing back to Port Meadow, where wild horses roam freely, you will rejoin the Jericho highstreet and head back to Broad street.