Cotswold Line Cycle Route - Honeybourne to Moreton-in-Marsh

Honeybourne to Moreton

This is the most challenging part of the whole ride - but it's worth it. These 15 miles will take you over the crest of the Cotswolds on picturesque lanes, via the honeypot village of Chipping Campden.

The route runs parallel to the railway from Honeybourne to Mickleton (look out for the bridge over the old Stratford-Cheltenham railway), before it's time to grit your teeth and tackle the steepest hill on the entire route. Just under a mile in length, this will take you from the Vale of Evesham to the top of the Cotswold escarpment.

There's a reward immediately afterwards - turn right and right again for a hugely enjoyable old lane, occasionally lumpy but gloriously scenic. Road cyclists - you may prefer to divert on minor roads via Hidcote Boyce. Then, crossing the unseen railway as it burrows under the hills in Campden Tunnel, you approach the classic Cotswold streets of Chipping Campden for a much-deserved rest.

The roller-coaster descent to Moreton-in-Marsh takes in the pretty villages of Broad Campden, Aston Magna and Batsford. (Broad Campden has a particularly good pub.) The footpath b Budgens supermarket in Moreton will take you straight to the railway station, but don't miss the town centre and its extraordinarily broad High Street.

Travelling by train

Honeybourne station is a short way north of the main village crossroads.

Moreton-in-Marsh station is just behind the town centre, easily accessible from Budgens.

More routes

A newly opened Sustrans route (48) runs from the northern edge of Moreton-in-Marsh towards Shipston-on-Stour. There, it meets National Route 5 to Banbury, Stratford and Birmingham - ideal for circular tours.