2023 Chip and Vale Tour
In June 2023 we had a 3 day ‘Chip and Vale’ tour – Chipping Norton
and Evesham Vale. Starting from Coventry to Chipping Norton with
an overnight stay in a Premier Inn, then onwards to Evesham with
another overnight stay, also at a Premier Inn, before continuing
back to Coventry. Each day saw us cycling 35-40 steady miles with
stops for refreshments and sight seeings.
Our first stop was Chedham’s Yard, tucked away in a quiet corner of
Wellesbourne. What a gem. There’s a working forge and a
wheelwright workshop crammed with tools. Our expert guides
explained the various processes and made the story of the
Chedham family come to life. After re-fuelling at The Garden Shed
cafe we headed off along rolling country lanes into the Cotswolds.
A perfectly timed stop for drinks and a snack at the Still House cafe
powered us up the main climb of the day to the Rollright Stones. We
took our time wandering around these neolithic and bronze age
monuments, in the late afternoon sun. There was just enough
energy left for the final leg into the old Oxfordshire market town of
Chipping Norton, completing day 1 of our tour.
Day 2 began with a leisurely breakfast at a local cafe and set the
tone for the rest of the day. Easy cycling through picturesque
Cotswold scenery, with a brief snack stop in Chipping Camden
before climbing Dover’s Hill and detouring into Broadway for lunch.
We arrived in Evesham in good time to take in the Town History
Trail, dating back to medieval times. On arrival at our hotel, we
settled for a late in-house evening meal.
Day 3 took us along some of the pretty Worcestershire Spring
Blossom Trail. No blossoms out but still glorious countryside and
views. Elevenses were had at Willi’s coffee shop in Studley and
lunch at the quirky Ye Olde Pounde Cafe at Liveridge Hill. Familiar
Warwickshire lanes appeared soon after this, as we made our way
back into Coventry feeling slightly tired and very chilled out.
On November 7th 2023 there will be a presentation with full details
and pictures of the tour. Do come along and get inspired to join next
year’s tour which we are in the process of planning for June 2024 in
the Rutland area.
PAST TOUR REPORTS
Click here to go to the report on the 2022 Tour Round the Wrekin
Click here to go to the report on the 2021 Tour to Banbury and Evesham