Bath, Cotswolds & Wiltshire History Ebike Adventure Tour
PLEASE NOTE - This route is only suitable for our Ridgeback Arcus3 and Fiido T1 Utility EBike due to the distance and hills on the route. Follow Booking Link > Ebike Booking
See full route details and maps at the bottom of the page.
See full route details and maps at the bottom of the page.
This 41 mile route is rich with 6,000 years of history, you'll cycle through stunning countryside enjoying quiet cycle paths, bridleways, converted Victorian railway lines and country lanes with views over Salisbury Plain and the southern Cotswolds. Plan for a full day, suitable for confident cyclists with plenty of cafe stops and traditional English pubs for breaks.
From Bath you'll cycle along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath, which is abundant with wildlife and historical sites, including the 'Dundas & Avoncliffe Aqueducts' on your way to the Anglo-Saxon market town of Bradford on Avon with it's 14th Century Tithe Barn, Norman footbridge and town rich in historical character. Leaving Bradford on Avon you'll cycle past Monkton Farleigh Castle on the way to Norton St Phillip enjoying uninterrupted views of Salisbury Plain and the White Horse of Westbury. In Norton St Phillip you'll find the George Inn, dating back to the 14th Century. Used as the headquarters for the Duke of Monmouth during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685 it was quickly converted into a court and place of execution by Judge Jeffries during the subsequent bloody assizes. Next on your journey the village of Mells along stunning quiet country lanes with expansive views over Wiltshire. Mells is an ancient settlement dating back to 6000BC, in the village there are plenty of interesting sites to visit including the church where 'Siegfried Sasson' the World War 1 poet is buried. Lots of local refreshment stops to choose from with the Talbot Inn, the post office cafe and Walled Cafe.
From Bath you'll cycle along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath, which is abundant with wildlife and historical sites, including the 'Dundas & Avoncliffe Aqueducts' on your way to the Anglo-Saxon market town of Bradford on Avon with it's 14th Century Tithe Barn, Norman footbridge and town rich in historical character. Leaving Bradford on Avon you'll cycle past Monkton Farleigh Castle on the way to Norton St Phillip enjoying uninterrupted views of Salisbury Plain and the White Horse of Westbury. In Norton St Phillip you'll find the George Inn, dating back to the 14th Century. Used as the headquarters for the Duke of Monmouth during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685 it was quickly converted into a court and place of execution by Judge Jeffries during the subsequent bloody assizes. Next on your journey the village of Mells along stunning quiet country lanes with expansive views over Wiltshire. Mells is an ancient settlement dating back to 6000BC, in the village there are plenty of interesting sites to visit including the church where 'Siegfried Sasson' the World War 1 poet is buried. Lots of local refreshment stops to choose from with the Talbot Inn, the post office cafe and Walled Cafe.
Next you'll head into the charming Wadbury Valley (think Cheddar Gorge on a mini scale). Overlooked by the Iron Age Cadbury and Tetbury Hill forts, you'll find a 17th Century Iron Forge. This pretty little valley has a clear water stream and waterfall, perfect for dipping your toes. Now you're journeying back to Bath along the Dorset & Somerset Light Railway built in 1854 via the old coal mining town of Radstock bisected by the Roman Road known as the 'Fosse Way'. Now follow the National Cycle Network Route 24 back to Bath via the Neolithic Long Barrow at Stoney Littleton pictured in the main photo. This burial site is one of the finest in the country dating to 2500BC. To visit the Long Barrow, secure your bikes opposite the farm and ice cream stall before taking a short walk across the bridge and up to the long barrow site itself. You may also have noticed some World War 2 pill boxes in this valley which formed part of GHQ Line Green. This was part of a series of interlinked defensive positions designed to defend against a German invasion in the aftermath of the Dunkirk evacuation.
In the build up to Operation Overlord numerous US formations were stationed in the area including the US 101st Airborne Division, 29th Infantry Division and 3rd Armoured Division. On the home straight back to Bath you'll find The Cotswold village of Wellow and the superb Fox and Badger pub followed by the Hope & Anchor pub just after crossing the railway viaduct and railway station at Midford.
The fun isn't over before cycling back into Bath with a great view of Midford Castle and cycling through Victorian railway tunnels (Two Tunnels Path), the longest cycling tunnel in Europe followed by a pleasant roll downhill to the cycle path along the River Avon back into the city.
In the build up to Operation Overlord numerous US formations were stationed in the area including the US 101st Airborne Division, 29th Infantry Division and 3rd Armoured Division. On the home straight back to Bath you'll find The Cotswold village of Wellow and the superb Fox and Badger pub followed by the Hope & Anchor pub just after crossing the railway viaduct and railway station at Midford.
The fun isn't over before cycling back into Bath with a great view of Midford Castle and cycling through Victorian railway tunnels (Two Tunnels Path), the longest cycling tunnel in Europe followed by a pleasant roll downhill to the cycle path along the River Avon back into the city.
Route Highlights
Cafe Culture |
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Angelfish Cafe, Dundas Aqueduct Open all year round, a great family cafe
No 10 Tea Room, Avoncliffe Aqueduct Great stop for cream tea & sandwiches!
Post Office Cafe, Mells Community run cafe & super friendly
Wellow Trekking Centre Coffee stop on the way out to Wellow on NCN24
Pubs |
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The Cross Guns, Avoncliff Aqueduct Riverside pub with Kingfishers
George Inn, Norton St Philip Great pub, amazing history & great food
Talbot Inn, Mells Excellent local food in a stunning village
Fox & Badger, Wellow Another fantastic Cotswold village pub
Hope & Anchor, Midford Great pub & last stop before Bath
Route Maps, Downloads & Links
We have uploaded the route onto both Komoot and the Ordnance Survey website with links below. There is also a GPX file which can be uploaded onto most navigational devices.
Ordnance Survey - Click on the link below to open the route in the OS Maps smartphone and desktop app.
explore.osmaps.com/route/23818844/bath-ebike-hire--the-history-adventure?lat=51.305248&lon=-2.363938&zoom=13.1176&style=Leisure&type=2d |
GPX Route Download File - Click on the link below to download a .gpx file compatible with most GPS devices.

bathebikehire-thehistoryadventure.gpx |