The Cotswolds by Bike trip runs for eight days and is entirely self-guided. That means there is no group leader and no fixed group. You get the route and the bookings, and the rest is up to you. You can ride hard and arrive early, or stop at every pub, church and garden on the way. Most of the operator's self-guided trips depart daily with a minimum of two people, so you can usually pick your own start date.

A typical riding day starts with breakfast at your guesthouse or hotel. You load a day bag onto the bike, leave your main luggage at reception, and head out along the back lanes towards the next village. Lunch is usually wherever you happen to be at midday, often a village pub. In the afternoon you reach your next bed for the night, where your bags will already be waiting.

The scenery is classic English countryside. Expect stone villages, parish churches, cottage gardens, fords across small streams, Roman villa sites and Regency-era buildings. The riding is graded Introductory to Moderate. That means rolling hills rather than long mountain climbs, so this is a good choice for anyone who wants the countryside without the leg-burning of tougher routes like the Coast to Coast or Cornwall.

What sets this trip apart from a guided cycling tour is the freedom. Nobody waits for you at the top of a hill, and you won't have to keep pace with stronger riders. Compared with doing it all yourself, the main difference is that the planning is done for you. Rooms are booked, the route is set, and your luggage moves without you having to think about it.

There is no instructor on this trip. Support comes from the operator's planning and route information rather than from a guide on the road. The trip is run by UTracks, a Europe-focused active travel company with close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries. They specialise in self-guided walking and cycling.

The Cotswolds are easy to reach from London, Oxford and Bath, which makes this a practical first self-guided cycling trip in England. The area is also known for its pubs and food, so the evenings are as much a part of the trip as the riding.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in guesthouses and hotels - Luggage transfers between overnight stops - Pre-planned self-guided cycling route - Accommodation booked in advance by the operator

What's not included

- Flights and travel to the start point - Travel insurance - Meals not specified in your booking - Drinks and pub stops - Entry fees to houses, gardens and historic sites - Personal expenses