Bath, Cotswolds & Wiltshire History Ebike Adventure Tour

Important Route Information – Please note that this route has a considerable amount of climbing. If you are not a regular cyclist, we strongly recommend hiring one of our Arcus Ebikes to cycle this route.

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.
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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. ​