Читать книгу Cycling in the Cotswolds. 21 half and full-day cycle routes, and a 4-day 200km Tour of the Cotswolds онлайн

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The valley just north of Upper Brailes is surprisingly flat

Enjoy a fantastic descent to a crossroads and turn left towards Honington. Continue descending very gently for nearly 4km further to a T-junction. Turn left towards Barcheston and rise gently uphill. Pass the entrance to a sewage works and then turn right onto a minor road. Rise initially and then descend gently to a T-junction on the edge of Shipston-on-Stour. Turn right and continue over the narrow bridge.

Continue past a car park to reach a junction with the one-way system. Give way to traffic on the right – there is a cycle lane to help you. Turn right onto New Street, and a dog-leg left then right takes you back to your start point.

ROUTE 2

Shipston-on-Stour Loop via Halford

Start/Finish The White Bear Inn, Shipston-on-Stour (SP 258 405) Distance 24km (15 miles) Total ascent/descent 255m Grade Easy Terrain 81% roads, 19% off-road Refreshments On route: several in Shipston; Farm Shop Bakery (Talton Mill) Short detour: The Halford PH Parking Car parks in Shipston (free) Cycle hire Chipping Campden or TY Cycles (mobile) Road bikes? Will require two detours to avoid off-road sections – the first via Ilmington, the second involving short sections of major roads (A3400 and A429) through Newbold to Halford. Connecting routes Routes 1 and 11 Note Includes one section of bridleway that may be challenging for those new to off-road riding, but it is very short and provides an alternative to busy A-roads, so is worth persevering with.

This is a lovely route in classic Cotswolds territory with some attractive bridleways through fields. The only potentially awkward section of off-road is short-lived, and the A-road crossing between Crimscote and Ettington is straightforward. The historic pub at Halford is within spitting distance of the route partway round.