One of the Cotswolds’ toughest charity rides —from Broughton Castle to the hills beyond.
The Broughton Castle Sportive returns on Sunday, 29 June 2025, offering an incredible day of cycling through the stunning North Cotswold Hills. Starting and finishing in the beautiful grounds of Broughton Castle, this event has something for everyone—whether you're taking on your first sportive or looking for a serious challenge. Five Routes to Choose From
• Family Fun Ride – 5 miles | A relaxed, scenic ride perfect for beginners and families (entry payable on the day)
• Cotswold Tour – 40 km (Moderate) | Rolling countryside, ideal for newer riders or those looking for a steady challenge
• Cotswold Classic – 100 km (Intermediate) | A rewarding mid-distance ride with classic climbs
• Cotswold Endurance – 160 km (Advanced) | A serious test of stamina with major climbs
• Cotswold Monster – 200 km (Expert) | The ultimate challenge, packed with elevation and tough climbs
All routes are fully signposted, with feed stations, chip timing, mechanical support, and a hot meal waiting at the finish. Team Rider Challenge
Riding solo is great, but why not team up and compete for one of our Team Trophies?
🏆 Broughton Castle Trophy – Fastest 200 km team
🏆 Rotary Challenge Trophy – Best-performing 160 km team
🏆 Presidents Cup – Champions of the 100 km ride
Teams of 4-6 riders compete together, with the 4th rider’s time counting as the official team time—making teamwork just as important as speed! What’s Included?
✔ Chip timing on all major routes
✔ Medical support throughout the event
✔ Mechanical assistance at start/finish and on-course recovery
✔ Well-stocked feed stations on all routes
✔ A finisher’s medal for every rider
✔ A hot meal for all returning cyclists
✔ Free parking at the event
Supporting Local Causes
The Broughton Castle Sportive is organised by the Banbury Cherwell Rotary Club, with all net proceeds going to support local charities. By riding with us, you’re not just taking on a challenge—you’re making a difference. We can’t wait to welcome you to Broughton Castle on Sunday, 29 June 2025. Sign up today: www.broughtoncastlesportive.co.uk
11/03/2026
Over the coming weeks we’re taking a closer look at each route on offer at the Broughton Castle Sportive.
The 160km route is designed for riders looking for a proper endurance day in the saddle. Long stretches of rolling Cotswolds countryside are combined with steady climbs that reward a consistent pace.
This distance suits riders who are comfortable with longer mileage and are looking for a challenging but achievable sportive route.
On the day you can expect:
• Approx. 160km distance
• Early morning start (registration from 6.30am)
• Clearly signed course
• Well-spaced feed stops
• Start and finish at Broughton Castle
The route rewards patience and pacing, with varied terrain that keeps the ride engaging throughout the day.
Full route details and GPX download are available via the event website. Entries remain open for all distances.
10/03/2026
As spring approaches, many riders begin to settle into a rhythm again — longer rides, lighter evenings, and plans for the season ahead.
The Broughton Castle Sportive takes place on Sunday 28 June 2026, giving plenty of time to prepare steadily for your chosen distance.
Route options include:
• 200km
• 160km
• 100km
• 40km
• Family Fun Ride (5 miles)
Each distance follows carefully planned routes through the Cotswolds, with clear signage and well-placed feed stops along the way.
If the season ahead is beginning to take shape, entries are open and we’d be pleased to welcome you.
01/03/2026
A welcome change today — dry roads and a bit of sunshine.
March is when riding starts to feel a little easier again. Layers get lighter, miles stretch out, and the season begins to take shape.
The Broughton Castle Sportive takes place on Sunday 28 June 2026, giving plenty of time to build steadily towards your chosen distance.
Route options include:
• 200km
• 160km
• 100km
• 40km
• Family Fun Ride (5 miles)
From longer endurance distances to a relaxed family option, the structure of the day is designed to suit a wide range of riders.
If today felt like a reminder of the season ahead, entries are open and we’d be pleased to welcome you.
Broughton Castle Sportive has always been about more than riding alone. It’s about good routes, a supportive atmosphere, and people encouraging each other through a challenging day.
That sense of community is a big part of what makes this event what it is — and it’s something we’re looking forward to again in 2026.
Early starts.
Quiet focus.
A tough route that asks a lot — and gives plenty back.
Broughton Castle Sportive is known for being one of the more challenging days out in the UK calendar, delivered in a way that’s well-run, supportive, and welcoming.
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Now in its eighth year, the Broughton Castle Cycling Sportive 2021 is based in the grounds of Broughton Castle, near Banbury, with various stunning Sportive routes winding their way through the North Cotswold Hills. This event offers a challenge for every level of cyclist. There are five Sportive routes available on the day, from a family fun ride to the Cotswold "Beast" a 100 mile lung and leg tester.
For the 2021 Sportive we have completely redesigned the 100 mile and 50 mile routes and have added a new 75 mile route.
If you enjoy cycling with others as a team, then our “Team Rider Challenge” will appeal to you. The "Team Rider Challenge" is available to riders on the 100 mile, 75 mile and 50 mile routes. A trophy will be presented to each winning team.
To promote real teamwork within the group – the winning team will be based on the time of the fourth rider home. To enter the “Team Rider Challenge”, you must be a team of a minimum of 4 and maximum of 6 riders, all cycling the same route and have registered as a team on the website prior to the event date.
The event is organised by Banbury Cherwell Rotary Club which is a voluntary Service Organisation. All net proceeds from this event will be donated to Rotary and local charities.
'Family Fun' ride 10km / 5.5 miles: no need to register online as entry is payable on the day. A flat(ish) family friendly route around the quiet roads and tracks immediately surrounding the Castle.
'Cotswold Tour 20' 32km / 20 miles through undulating North Oxfordshire ironstone countryside - the course winds its way through the villages of Shutford and Epwell. There are no big hills on this route we promise, but by the nature of the terrain it will be a challenge if you've not done much cycling before. There will be one feed-station on the route at approximately half distance. The Cotswold Tour 20 might suit people who are new to Sportive cycling or medium ability but who still want a good cycling challenge.
'Cotswold Classic 50' 80km / 50 miles: The route has been designed to incorporate several classic hill climbs. The route is designed for the more regular cyclist who is accustomed to riding more challenging and hilly terrain. There will be two feed-stations on this route - the first after 25 miles at Kingham and the second after 34 miles at Moreton in Marsh. The route is a testing ride and you should expect it to take somewhere between 3/5 hours.
‘Windrush Endurance 75’ 120km / 75 miles: This extremely well signed route has been designed for the rider who is looking for a ride more demanding than the 50 mile route but not so challenging as the 100 mile route. This route includes two major climbs at Rissington and Whichford hills. There will be two feed-stations on this route the first located at Great Barrington and the second at Moreton in Marsh
'Cotswold Beast 100' 160km / 100 miles: The extremely well signed route will be one of the most challenging rides that you will complete all year. The course takes in several classic climbs in the area but is also full of smaller notoriously leg sapping Cotswold lumps and bumps which the area is famous for in the cycling world. There will be two feed-stations, one located at Great Barrington and the second at Moreton in Marsh. This one really is for the serious cyclist. It's recommended that you train for this ride in order to complete the distance. Timing: for the best 5 hours, for the indefatigable 8/10 hours. Riders on the Cotswold Beast 100 will be required to start between 7am and 7.30am.
Sign up through our website: www.broughtoncastlesportive.co.uk.
Event includes.
• Mechanical support
• Medical support
• Free car park at start/finish venue
• Sweep vehicle for those who cannot complete the route
• Well-stocked feed stations
• Electronic chip timing
• Finishers medal and hot food voucher on return to Broughton Castle
• Marshals and water stations
Full route maps and can be found on the event website: www.broughtoncastlesportive.co.uk
Look forward to seeing you on Sunday July 11th 2021
