Family Cycling in the Cotswolds

When the pandemic hit, Joe Davenport and his family knew that there was one thing that just couldn’t be locked down: their passion for cycling.  A hobby that’s gathered speed like no other, cycling has now taken the nation by storm. Whether riding solo for miles and miles over rolling hills, enjoying a leisurely two-wheeled trip with your better half or an epic adventure with friends and family, cycling is what you make it, and more. A greener way to explore. Leaner on the wallet. And a fun-filled way to stay healthy. We joined Joe and his family on a cycling weekend in the Cotswolds to see what all the fuss is about.

Now a member of the product team with British bike brand Ribble Cycles, Joe tests and designs new bikes. Yet for Joe, cycling started out as little more than a way to get around, mixed with weekends in the Peak District, mountain biking with his friends. Little did he know, this growing passion would eventually become a globe-trotting career to the French Alps as a bike guide and a place at the BMX World Championships. It’s a love he now shares with his wife Catherine and three children, William (7yrs), Charlie (6yrs) and Daisy (3yrs).

“The kids absolutely love being out on their bikes. Exploring new places. Seeing different types of wildlife. And of course, riding through massive muddy puddles wherever possible.”

“We’ve never been to Gloucestershire or the Cotswolds before, but it’s somewhere that’s always been on our bucket list. So, when we pulled up to De Vere Cotswold Water Park, with the amazing views over the lakes and the countryside beyond, I knew we’d picked the right spot to begin exploring.

Bring your bikes or hire them here

Joe and the family have their own bikes that they take whenever they go somewhere new. It’s an easy way to explore the area and there are plenty of free apps you can download to guide you along a route that’s right for you and your party. If you don’t have your own bikes, The Wild Carrot, just a 4-minute walk away from De Vere Cotswold Water Park has a fantastic selection for both adults and children and cater for all types of terrain. There are plenty of mapped out cycling routes available to take with you, too, and the helpful staff will get you set up and on your bike in minutes. Be sure to take a bike lock with you too in case your route includes a tasty lunch stop, or if you spot something you want to explore on foot.

When planning family rides, Joe takes a little time to do some research first. “Making sure the route is suitable before you get going always pays off. As the kids get older, we are gradually building up the miles and getting more adventurous as a family. Planning and navigation-wise, I usually start with looking at popular routes in the local area, and there are usually lots of recommendations available online. Apps like, AllTrails or Strava can guide along a route that’s right for you in terms of distance and terrain. It’s great for following new routes on your phone as you ride with it mounted on the handlebars. You don’t have to, but I also like to use OS maps in the first instance to look at the route and make sure there are no awkward sections with gates or styles that could be tricky to negotiate with the children and their bikes.”

The Davenport family enjoyed two rides over the course of their weekend stay with us. Joe mapped them out using the Strava. You can access the route maps for all his rides by downloading the Strava app and search ‘clubs’ for “De Vere Wellbeing at Heart”.  Here, you’ll find lots of routes for walking, running and cycling in the local areas surrounding all our country estate hotels.

Lakeside loops

The first route is a popular favourite and is also available to pick up on a map from the hotel.  With a total distance of 11.5 miles, it begins with a short section of cycle path near the main road and quickly leads on to quieter country lanes on to off-road paths and bridleways. The terrain is mixed but very gentle, with only 40ft elevation across the whole route. Excellent for those wanting a laid-back ride.

For this first cycle, Joe put Daisy in the child seat on the back of his bike and the boys (aged 6 and 7) rode their own bikes. Children should be comfortable cycling on the road for this ride, even though it’s only a short section. For beginners, this route would be ideal for children 7-8 and upwards. This ride takes in all the off-road paths local to the hotel and is neatly linked with lanes and road sections to create a loop.

Roughly halfway along the route, Jennies Kitchen on Fridays Ham Lane is an idyllic little café stop for coffee and cake. It’s set in a lovely garden with outdoor seating area when the weather is nice. They also have an alpaca farm on site which is a great way to extend your adventure. You even can feed them every day at 11am and 3pm. If nature is your thing, the route is also teeming with wonderful wildlife, not to mention splendid views across the lakes where you’ll often spot jet skiers, sailing boats and other water sports taking place all year round.

To historic Cricklade and back in time for tea

The next day, after a hearty breakfast overlooking the peaceful lakes, Joe and his family set off on their next trip. This route provides a relaxed 6.6 mile round trip (3.3 miles each way) to the quintessential English town of Cricklade and back to the hotel. This Wiltshire town is steeped in history. Known as the Southern Gateway to the Cotswolds, the town was once home to a royal mint and even gets a mention in the Doomsday Book. Nowadays, this pleasant little place still holds all the charm of yesteryear, with the crooked roofs along the high street now filled with delightful pubs, cafes and shops ready for hungry cyclists.

The Davenports headed out from the hotel along the main road cycle path to start of the bridleway. As a confident and determined little lady, Daisy rode on her own bike for this shorter ride. Of course, great care is needed with young children on the cycle path near the main road. Cycle paths are usually comfortably wide enough for an adult to ride next to smaller children, between them and the road. After this short section, they joined a flat bridleway that took them all the way to Cricklade. The bridleway section is one of the best places in the area to cycle with younger children. On Joe’s visit, there were a few muddy with puddles, but according to the kids, that just added to the fun.

“Daisy did so well that day. We can see her confidence growing every time we ride, and she wanted to stop a few times on the way to look at the lake views that opened up through the trees. With three growing kids, the need for regular refuelling is a constant feature of the day. We stayed in one of the hotel’s self-catered apartments which had a kitchenette, so we were able to make up a few snacks for the journey to keep everyone happy, which worked so well for us.”

Bath time

After a fair few muddy splashes along the way, Joe headed to the brand-new bike washes at the hotel for a swill down. These are free to use and are located just a stone’s throw from reception. The dog wash and boot wash for hikers with four-legged friends are just next door, too.

When you need a break from two wheels, the chocolate-box villages with enchanting scenery in the surround area are ready and waiting to be discovered. Not to mention the raft of other outdoor activities and water sports on our doorstep. Have a browse through what’s on offer at the Gateway Information Centre.

For those who have always fancied the idea of a family cycling holiday, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds are great locations to start. With gentle routes that are ideal for children and bike hire close by, cycling is the answer to your next staycation.

Get cycling savvy

To help beginners get started, we’ve put together our top tips to get you and your family cycling savvy.

• Always wear a helmet, have and use a bell and lights.
• If you have your own bikes, take them for a service before your trip. This will include tyre and break checks to make sure you ride safely. Hire bikes are usually serviced regularly.
• Take a bottle of water - hydration is important when exercising.
• Take a backpack or saddle bag for snacks. You’re burning energy and you need to replace it.
• Make sure the bikes are suitable for the terrain on the route. If you’re not sure, here’s a simple guide to help you.
• Wear comfortable layered clothing that you can take off when you get hot, and layer up when you cool down.
• A waterproof is always a good idea. This is Britain after all, and the weather can turn quickly.
• Avoid wearing anything that’s loose or baggy around your ankles – you don’t want to get anything trapped in the chain.
• Always carry some money or bank card with you for those impromptu pitstops.
• If you can, familiarise yourself with the route before-hand.
• If you’re cycling with little ones, make sure you take regular breaks.
• When cycling on the road, adults should book end the little ones in between in single file.
• Pairs of cyclists should cycle in single file rather than next to each other.