Anyone that is familiar with the Cotswolds area will know just how much beauty, history and unique experiences it has in store and what could be better than experiencing all it has to offer on a motorcycle?

Whether you are looking for an action-packed day, a leisurely scenic ride or both, the Cotswolds will tick all the boxes. So, what can you expect to see and how should you prepare when embarking on a trip to the Cotswolds?

Cotswolds Motorcycle Tour Route

While the Cotswolds covers almost 800 square miles, the motorcycle tour consists of 150 miles and can be completed in one day. However, the route runs through five counties with plenty to see and do and for that reason, you may want to spend an extra day or two for the full experience.

The journey through Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire offers a taste of five different places all within a stone’s throw of each other and features countryside landscapes, rolling hills, quaint market towns and historical monuments.

The Cotswolds are quintessentially English, coined as “the most English of all English Countrysides” by the author J.B. Priestly, and riding a motorbike there is just as thrilling as the views with a combination of straight-as-an-arrow Roman Roads and winding country lanes.

When Is Best To Go?

As with most areas of natural beauty, the best times to travel around the Cotswolds are Spring, when flowers and wildlife are in full bloom, and the Autumn months for those vibrant, eye-catching autumnal colours.

June to August does boast the longest days and shortest nights but they also make up the busiest period while winter may experience heavy snowfall, not exactly ideal for a motorcycle trip. It is also worth looking out for events in the area that may attract heavy traffic and footfall, such as horse racing’s famous Cheltenham Festival in March.

What Should You Expect To See?

A lot of people might picture the countryside as a collection of fields and farms and in some cases that may be true, but if you pardon the pun, the Cotswolds put that idea out to pasture. From picturesque scenery to sights of historical significance, here is what this trip has to offer:

Best Things To Do Along The Way

The scenery on show here would be a welcomed addition to any trip, but if you are someone who likes to sink their teeth into more immersive activities the Cotswolds has that in abundance too.

Roman Baths

The city of Bath, County Somerset, is a UNESCO world heritage site renowned for and named after its Roman baths. The baths - originally designed for public usage - were used until 5 AD and remain largely preserved. 

The Home of Shakespeare

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, is famed as the birthplace and burial site of perhaps the world's greatest ever playwright, William Shakespeare. The town attracts around 2.7 million tourists every year and is home to The Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Bourton-on-the-Water Model Village

From a giant of the arts to feeling like a giant yourself, Bourton-on-the-Water model village presents the town as it appeared in 1936 except it is in a 1:9 scale.

Woodchester Valley Vineyard

A family run vineyard and winery, Woodchester Valley produces white, rose and sparkling wines and the best new is it is open for tours. The cost is £20 for the still wine tour and £25 for the sparkling wine tour, including a welcome drink and a tasting of four different wines. 

Diddly Squat Farm & Hawkstone Brewery

If you are not familiar with either of these places then you could well have been living under a rock. Showcased on the Amazon Prime docuseries, Clarkson's Farm, Diddly Squat is home to Mr Jeremy Clarkson and Hawkstone is his very own beer. Why not call in for a visit? You may even catch a glimpse of the man himself, well that is if he isn't chasing chickens or at odds with the local council. 

Chedworth Roman Villa

Another one for the history buffs! Chedowrth Roman Villa is one of the largest, most elaborate Roman villas discovered in Britain to date. It is still an active archaeological site with new discoveries continuing to be made.

How To Prepare For The Cotswolds

As is more often than not the case with motorcycle tours, it is important to pack with the weather in mind when setting off to the Cotswolds. You never know what the Great British weather could throw your way and it is better to be over prepared than under prepared.

Motorcycle luggage that is both lockable and can fit two helmets would be advised, especially when stopping off at busy locations, while waterproof luggage is never a bad option. Due to the short nature of this trip, a lot less gear and cargo space will be required, however, you may want to save room for anything you pick up along the way.

So, if you have not been to the Cotswolds before then you may now have it pencilled in for your next motorbike journey.

As always, it is important to ensure you are prepared for the tour, but that should not be too strenuous in this case. After that, the only thing left to do is gear up, get on your motorcycle and set off on a trip you will never forget.