Wantage/Grove

The landscape here is considerably gentler than elsewhere in the Cotswolds, with rolling farmland and quiet country roads that make for satisfying rides whether you're tackling serious mileage or simply want to potter about at your own pace.

Grove is a working village where the Williams Racing Formula One team has its headquarters, which creates an intriguing juxtaposition against the traditional stone settlements scattered nearby. The village sits on Letcombe Brook, and you'll find good access to various cycling routes that link through to Wantage, a proper market town with the shops, facilities and restaurants you'd actually want to use.

What really makes this worth visiting by bike is the network of minor roads and bridleways threading across the vale. You can construct routes that visit several villages, pass through water meadows, and experience genuine countryside without grinding up endless hills. The location works well too, sitting roughly halfway between Oxford and the Marlborough Downs, so there's plenty of scope for longer explorations.

The drier months are best for riding here, when bridleways aren't churned up by rain. It's worth spending time in Wantage chatting to locals about current conditions and what routes are working well. Being close to Oxford means you're never far from proper cycling shops and support services if you need them.