Private Blenheim Palace Cycling Day Trip with Entry Ticket, Oxford

Do like the Oxford locals and hop on a bike for an hourlong pedal through the countryside to one of the UK's most magnificent historic estates. Paired with a private guide, you'll follow a traffic-free route north along the River Thames to reach Blenheim Palace, then leave your guide (and the bikes) behind to explore the opulent state rooms and formal grounds on your own (entry tickets included). Rejoin them afterward for the scenic return journey—this time tracing the towpaths of the historic Oxford Canal south. Expect to cover about 16 miles by bike at a relaxed pace suitable for even casual cyclists.

This six-hour excursion begins when you meet your private guide at an Oxford bike shop and set off on an hourlong pedal north. You'll leave the city behind as you cross the open landscapes of Port Meadow, a historic stretch of common land bisected by the winding River Thames, then follow a peaceful riverside path as your guide narrates the area's rich history and points out local points of interest—like the favorite walking trails of Lewis Carroll and the romantic ruins of a 12th-century Benedictine abbey.

The traffic-free cycling route continues toward the town of Woodstock and on to your destination: Blenheim Palace. When you pull into the grounds of one of the UK's grandest country houses, you'll part ways with your guide and park the bikes for a few hours as you explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site on your own. (Prebooked tickets are included, and we recommend downloading the palace's interactive "Archie" app ahead of time to help plan your visit.)

Roughly a dozen ground-floor State Rooms are open to the public; start here to learn more about the palace's history and get a glimpse into the life of the 18th-century British aristocracy. Don't miss the 183-foot (56 m) Long Library, home to over 10,000 books and the largest privately-owned pipe organ in Europe. Outside, you'll find over 90 acres (36 ha) of formal gardens, including the Butterfly House and the 1.8-acre (0.7 ha) Marlborough Maze. When hunger calls, you can purchase lunch (not included) from one of the cafés on-site (or bring along a picnic to enjoy among the grounds). 

After several hours free to enjoy Blenheim Palace, you'll rejoin your guide, hop back on your bikes, and start the hour's ride back to Oxford. Follow a different route as you leave Woodstock and link up with the Oxford Canal towpath, pedaling south on a relaxed, off-road stretch that leads into the city via historic college backs and the leafy suburb of Jericho. Overall, you'll cover about 16 miles (26 km) by bike, with a leisurely pace and mostly flat terrain that's suitable for even the most casual of cyclists.