Oxford & the Royal Palaces along the River Thames

Oxford and Royal Palaces

The River Thames threads its way serenely through sleepy rural villages, pretty landscapes and through the heart of bustling historic towns such as Oxford and Windsor. Royalty and history beckon, whilst water meadows, old inns, wildlife and weirs lead you on through your adventures.

The tranquil river path provides the route for much of this trip - we love it because it is flat and traffic free. The itinerary is relaxed and includes several optional river boat trips with bikes aboard. What a great way to discover the sights and smells of quintessential England!

This tour is also possible as an 6-night itinerary(Tuesday start date) Please inquire for details.

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Highlights

• Windsor Castle & Great Park
• Waterfront of the Thames River
• The River and Rowing Museum in Henley
• Oxford

Learn More

Learn more about self-guided tours.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrive Hampton Wick(Cassic) or Hampton Court(luxury)
Arrive in Hampton Court and check into your hotel close to the river and Kingston town.

Day 2: Circular Ride Hampton Wick to Kew (15-19 miles/24-30km, Classic)(19-23 miles/30-37km, Luxury)
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 start to the tour!
Overnight in Hampton Wick(Cassic) or Hampton Court(luxury)

Day 3: Hampton Wick/Hampton Court – Windsor (21-38 miles/34-60km, Classic)(18-35 miles/29-56km, Luxury)
Ride to Windsor 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 Windsor where your overnight stop is located. There is a circular ride from here into Windsor Great Park if you want more cycling.
Overnight in Windsor

Day 4: Windsor – Marlow(19 miles/30km)
Enjoy Windsor and its castle this morning and take a peek at Eton across the river. After lunch, there is a pretty route to cycle that leads away from the river through old villages and hamlets. Cross the river a number of times as you arrive in Marlow. Your overnight stay is in the heart of this attractive town.
Overnight in Marlow

Day 5: Marlow – Henley (10 miles/18km)
Take time to discover all the history of Marlow before cycling or cruising to Henley. The boat trip (which only operates in July or August) allows you to avoid the slopes of the Chiltern Hills whilst the bike ride enables you to enjoy fantastic views and wonderful scenery – it’s your choice! Once in Henley, famed for its rowing regatta, you will quickly discover its elegant atmosphere. Stroll along the waterfront, enjoy tea on one of a number of river islands or visit The River and Rowing Museum. Your overnight stop nestles in the heart of the town.
Overnight in Henley

Day 6: Henley – Streatley/Goring(19 miles/30km)
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 end of the day to Streatley where you will spend the night in an old inn set in a tranquil village.
Overnight in Streatley(Cat A) Goring (Cat B)

Day 7: Streatley/Goring – Oxford(20-26 miles/32-42km)
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. With Oxford and its dreaming spires beckoning, you pedal along the Thames to find your hotel for the next two nights in the heart of the city.
Overnight in Oxford

Day 8: Oxford (12 miles/19km)
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 finale to your tour.
Overnight in Oxford

Day 9: Departure day
Depart Oxford on your own

*6-night version is also offered. Please inquire for pricing.

Surface and terrain

This tour takes place on flat terrain, on nearly traffic-free routes. The cycling is gentle, with low daily distances and very gentle grades. You will face occasional slopes, but no extended climbs on this trip. No cycling in London is required.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

Category A: Characterful and historic 4- and 5-star hotels

The Mitre, Hampton Court
hwww.mitrehamptoncourt.com

MacDonald Windsor, Windsor - Superior room
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Macdonald Compleat Angler, Marlow
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

The Relais, Henley
www.therelaisretreats.com

Swan Streatley, Streatley
www.coppaclub.co.uk

Randolph, Oxford
www.randolphhotel.co.uk

Category B: Centrally located, hand-picked hotels and inns

White Hart, Hampton Wick
www.whiteharthoteluk.co.uk

MacDonald Windsor, Windsor
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Premier Inn, Marlow
www.premierinn.com

Hotel Du Vin, Henley
www.hotelduvin.com

Miller of Mansfield, Goring
www.themillerofmansfield.com

Oxford Spires, Oxford
www.ihg.com

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Windsor, United Kingdom

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 8 nights accommodation in rooms with en-suite bathrooms
• Breakfast daily
• Luggage transfers between hotels
• Adventure Handbook - packed full of information, history and photos of the area your tour
  covers
• Waterproof mobile phone holder
• Emergency service line
• Local host to welcome and brief you
• Hybrid touring bike
• Advice, help, and guidance
• Train tickets from Pangbourne to Goring and Streatley, for Day 6
• Route Directions on GPS route to download to your phone and OS maps

Single room pricing is available if you have at least 2 people in your party.

Bike rentals

Bikes available and included in the tour package (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Hybrid touring bikes

Bikes available to rent (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Electrically assisted bikes*
• Tandem bikes (availability may be limited)

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

Bikes come equipped with the following at no additional cost:

• Pannier
• Bike pump
• Bike lock
• Toolkit and spare inner tube
• Waterproof phone holder and back up power bank and charger
• Helmet

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmet rental is available on this tour. However, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Tour Company