West Country, England
Seven nights of green lanes, old inns and open moorland, from Bruton over Dartmoor and Exmoor and back.
Get first accessSee the daysEngland at its greenest
The West Country is England at its greenest and most delicious. We start in Bruton, a small Somerset town with a big food scene, and ride west through Dorset and Devon, over Dartmoor and onto Exmoor, staying in old inns, pubs and a farm with rooms. We finish back in Bruton with a closing dinner at Osip.
- Lunch at HolmA long first-day lunch in South Petherton, one of the best kitchens in Somerset.
- Over DartmoorOpen moorland, granite tors and wild ponies, past Haytor Rocks.
- Two nights on ExmoorA proper country inn in the middle of the moor, with a free day to ride, walk or rest.
- Glastonbury TorThe last ride starts at the foot of the Tor and rolls home through the Somerset Levels.
- Finale at OsipOur closing dinner in Bruton, at one of the best restaurants in England.
The route
One loop through four counties and two national parks. The riding is rolling and green, on quiet lanes between hedgerows, with Dartmoor and Exmoor as the two big days on open moorland. On the last day the van takes us to Glastonbury Tor, and we ride the last 13 miles home to Bruton.
- Nights
- 7 (2 on Exmoor)
- Distance
- 227 mi · about 45 mi a day
- Climbing
- About 24,000 ft
- Meet
- Bath Spa station, 2pm Saturday (free van to Bruton and back)
- Fly in / out
- London Heathrow, then train to Bath
Eight days, at a glance
Breakfast every day. On nights without a group dinner, I'll point you to my favorite spots nearby.
You'll enjoy this if you ride regularly and are comfortable with 35–50 mile days that include climbs of an hour or more. You don't need to be fast; you need to be steady.
- Rolling hills, with short steep climbs every day
- Daily rides of roughly 35–60 miles
- A free day on Exmoor in the middle
Good to know about the riding
English country lanes are narrow, often with high hedges, and the climbs are short but steep. Take them steady and the van is always close behind. September weather can change fast, so bring a rain jacket.
What a typical day looks like
Breakfast together, then we roll out mid-morning. We stop for coffee and a long lunch along the way, and arrive at the next stay in the afternoon with time to shower, explore or nap. Evenings are for dinner, whether it's a group dinner or one of the places I've picked for you to try on your own.
How the riding works
- I ride with the group every day.
- A support van carries your luggage, follows the ride with snacks and water, and can pick you up anytime.
- You'll get every day's route ahead of time for your GPS or phone.
- Ride at your own pace. We regroup at coffee and lunch stops.
Can the plan change?
Routes, stays, restaurants and daily plans may change. We reserve the right to update the itinerary for weather, road conditions, availability or safety, and if something changes we'll swap in something just as good.
Where we eat, where we sleep
The food
The West Country is where a lot of England's best food comes from: cider, cheese, lamb, seafood from the south coast and very good pubs. We start with a long lunch at Holm in South Petherton and finish with dinner at Osip in Bruton. In between: dinner at Glebe House, a farm with rooms in East Devon, proper pub food, cream teas and a couple of nights to explore on your own.
The stays
Small, characterful places: a boutique hotel in Bruton at the start and end, Glebe House in East Devon, The Bull Inn in Totnes, Mill End on the edge of Dartmoor, and two nights at The Exmoor Forest Inn in the middle of the moor.
Book it, then just ride and eat
- 7 nights of hand-picked stays
- Breakfast every day
- Four group dinners, including the closing dinner at Osip
- Group lunch at Holm
- Free van pickup and drop-off at Bath Spa station
- Luggage van between stays, and van support on every ride
- Snacks and water on rides
- Rider jersey and cap
- Alex riding with you every day
- Pro photos and video of the trip
Not included
- Flights
- Airport and train transfers
- Most lunches
- Dinners on free nights
- Drinks beyond the wine at group dinners
- Bike rental (offered as an add-on)
- Travel insurance (required)
Be first in line
Pricing is announced Nov 16, and each trip has just 8 spots. Leave your name and email and I'll send you pricing and first access before booking opens to everyone on Nov 19.
How booking works
- Deposit
- $1,500, non-refundable
- Balance due
- 120 days before the trip
- Rooms
- Shared, or your own room
- Bike
- Bring your own, or rent one
- Group
- 8 riders max, 5 to run
- Trip confirmed by
- May 7, 2027
Alex Blosil, chef and ride leader
I'm a chef from Utah who cooked in Paris and speaks French fluently. I plan every trip around the best tables in each region, and I ride every mile with the group. More about me
Good to know
How do I get there?
Plan to arrive in Bath, ideally the night before. It's about 1.5 hours by direct train from London Paddington, and a night in Bath is a great way to get over jet lag. On Saturday at 2pm our van picks everyone up at Bath Spa station and drives you to Bruton (about 40 minutes) in time for the opening dinner. Prefer to make your own way? Take the train to Castle Cary, a short taxi ride from Bruton, or a taxi from Bristol Airport (about 50 minutes). The trip ends after breakfast the following Saturday, and the van brings everyone back to Bath Spa, where you can catch a train to London or Bristol. I'm happy to help you book extra nights.
Is it really hilly?
Yes, in short bursts. There are no long mountain passes, but Devon and Exmoor have plenty of steep little climbs. The van can pick you up anytime.
How fit do I need to be?
See “Is this trip for me?” above, under Your days. You don't need to be fast. The van can pick you up anytime, so you choose how much you ride.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. Or rent a quality bike from us as an add-on, fitted and ready when you arrive.
Can I get an e-bike?
Not on our 2027 trips. The van follows every ride, so if you need a break, you can hop in anytime.
I'm traveling solo. Can I have my own room?
Yes. You can choose your own room, or a shared room if you're booking with a friend or partner.
I have dietary needs. Is that OK?
Of course. Tell us when you book. I'm a chef, and I'll make sure you eat well.
Can a non-riding partner come?
Get in touch and we'll see what we can work out.
When do I pay?
A $1,500 non-refundable deposit holds your spot. The balance is due 120 days before the trip.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, it's required. Choose a policy that covers cycling and trip cancellation.
What should I pack?
We'll send a packing list after you book. Plan on cycling kit for each riding day, a rain jacket, warm layers and casual clothes for dinners.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Yes. Just ask and I'll help you book extra nights.
How big is the group?
8 riders at most, plus me, our support driver and our filmmaker.
Still have a question? Email alex@chefalextours.com.