A ride through history…

This cycle ride explores the historic surrounds of Cirencester, from the Roman villa at Chedworth, through the Anglo Saxon Church at Coln Rogers the village of Bibury and finishing back at the Roman town of Cirencester. Gently undulating, it follows mainly quiet roads and historic lanes through amazingly beautiful countryside, with not only ancient buildings, but also preserved landscapes and villages.

Cirencester can be reached by bike from the railway station in Kemble, and the Cotswolds Lion bus, which can also carry bikes, serves Cirencester, Bibury and Chedworth.

From the market place in Cirencester, take Godstich Strret and follow the road straight ahead at the traffic lights to go north along the White Way - a low traffic, very gently ascending back road. Ignoring the turning east (right) for Chedworth Village, continue as far as Pinswell junction, where you take the right fork - a narrow but surfaced lane going into Chedworth Woods. At the bottom of the woods, turn sharp right and continue along the edge of the wood with the views across the unimaginably lovely Coln Valley, until you reach the Chedworth Roman Villa National Trust Property, open 1000-1700 in summer, 1100-1600 for the rest of the year. The site has the excavated remains of the Roman Villa, including a bath house, a temple to the water spirits and a dining room with beautiful mosaics. There is a small museum with some of the finds from the Villa, and the Living History Society has frequent re-enactments aspects of roman life on summer Saturdays.

After the visit to the villa, the route continues across the River Coln, climbing the other side of the valley, levelling out at the edge of Yanworth. Instead of going into the village, take the road leading south (right turn) down the hill back towards the edge of the woods. Continue along this road, going straight at the next cross roads, onto Fossebridge.

Fossebridge has got a pub, and is a convenient stop for lunch. Cross with care the Fosse Way - the easiest way is to cross on foot and to push your bike for a few meters north/north east on the pavement, until you reach a minor road leading directly east, through the remaining houses of Fossebridge, and into Coln St Dennis. Follow the road through Coln St Dennis, crossing the River Coln by the church, until you get to Coln Rogers with its Anglo Saxon Church almost completely intact.

Continue down the road through the village, passing further along through picturesque Cotswolds villages of Winson and Ablington, following the course of the river along. At Ablington, cross the river and, afer continuing along the road for a short while, turn south east (right) towards Bibury, a historic village with the famous weavers' cottages at Arlington Row.

From Bibury, there is a choice of two routes. You can either follow the B road south west towards Barnsley (which is much more direct and shorter, but can be busy due to tourist traffic), or leave the B road at Arlington just out of Bibury and take the road going directly South (left) towards Ready Token. At Ready Token turn left again onto Akeman Street Roman Road, ignoring the first fork going towards Barnsley. After a couple of miles, at the cross roads take the road leading North (right) to Barnsley. At the far edge of Barnsley both variants merge, taking the Welsh Way - a lovely, tree covered narrow medieval lane continuing along across Fosse Way back to the White Way and from there, back to Cirencester.

Map: Ordnance Survey 1:50 000 Landranger Cheltenham & Cirencester

Distance: 26½ (28) miles; 42½ (45)kilometres