Oxford & the Royal Palaces along the River Thames

Day 1: Arrival in Oxford

Arrive in Oxford and check into your hotel located in the center of the city. Take some time to relax before hitting the town to stroll the 'city of dreaming spires'. Visit the gardens of the University and its historic colleges. Either tonight or tomorrow morning, you will meet with a representative to review the itinerary and fit your bicycle.

Day 2: Oxford
12 miles/19 km

Enjoy the treasures of Oxford today - by bike if you wish. There are the lovely colleges of the University with their magnificent architecture, museums galore, galleries, and famous libraries. Add to these fine restaurants, unique shops, and river backwaters dotted with punters and rowing eights, and you will enjoy a fitting start to your tour.

Day 3: Oxford – Streatley
22-28 miles/35-45 km

Crisscross the Thames today and take in pretty riverside villages and forgotten rural scenes. These dreamy waters of the Upper Thames are where many a famous tale has been dreamt. The shorter ride includes a boat hop from Abingdon with its ancient abbey (only available in July and August). Continue pedalling along the Thames to Streatley, where you will spend the night in an old inn set in a tranquil riverside village.

Day 4: Streatley – Henley
19 miles/30 km

Today's ride follows the river through some of its most magical settings. Pedal across weirs, spot the llamas, smell ancient beech woods, and discover the prettiest village on the Thames. There’s a 5-minute train hop at the start of the day from Streatley to the start of your cycling route. Once in Henley, famed for its rowing regatta, you will quickly discover its elegant atmosphere. Stroll along the waterfront and enjoy tea on one of a number of river islands. Your overnight stop is nestled in the heart of the town.

Day 5: Henley – Marlow
10 miles/18 km

Take time to discover the history of Henley and visit The River and Rowing Museum before starting your cycling to Marlow. Today, there are some slopes through the Chiltern Hills and beech woods with fantastic views and wonderful scenery. Then drop down into the historic small town of Marlow, further downstream on the banks of the river.

Day 6: Marlow – Windsor
19-36 miles/30-57 km

There is a pretty route to cycle that leads away from the river through old villages and hamlets, across village greens and along hidden bridleways whilst crossing the river a few times. Take a peek at Eton across the river as you cycle across the Thames to reach Windsor and its famed castle. Tonight, your hotel is near the castle, and you will have time to discover the royal history of the area. There is an option to extend the cycling route by adding a circular route in Windsor Great Park.

Day 7: Windsor – Hampton Wick/Hampton Court
Classic- 23 miles/37 km or Luxury- 18 miles/29 km

Ride to Hampton Court today along the classic riverscape of the Thames. There are houseboats and villas, famous islands and willow-lined meadows, pretty lock cottages, attractive steeples, and ancient waterside inns. Enjoy the tranquility and rural scene before making tracks to Hampton Wick or Hampton Court, where your overnight stop is located for the next two nights.

Day 8: Circular Ride Hampton Wick to Kew
Classic- 13-21 miles/21-34 km or Luxury- 19-23 miles/30-37 km

Your traffic-free ride today is glorious along the river and takes in Richmond with its Old Palace and Park, chic shops and waterside cafes, and the fine historic houses along the waterfront. The longer ride includes Kew Palace and the internationally famed Kew Gardens. You may be able to enjoy a boat ride too, with bikes aboard to help you along your way. Wow, what a finale to the tour!

Day 9: Departure day

Your tour ends today following breakfast.