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
11/09/2025
This week we returned to the historic Broughton Castle — not for cycling, but to celebrate the people who make the Sportive possible.
At our presentation evening, trophies were awarded to riders and teams, but the real applause was for the volunteers, charities, and community groups who gave their time and energy. From route planning to signage, from marshals on the roads to tea and cake at the feed stations, their efforts created the atmosphere that riders value most.
It’s thanks to them — and to our sponsors who covered the running costs — that every rider’s entry fee could go straight to charity. Together we’ve raised over £10,000 this year, taking our running total past £106,000 for local good causes.
To every helper, sponsor, and supporter: thank you. The Sportive is more than just a cycling event — it’s a community coming together.
We’ll be back on Saturday 28 June 2026 and we hope you’ll join us again.
08/07/2025
Just over a week ago, cyclists from near and far gathered at the historic Broughton Castle to take on one of five stunning routes through the North Cotswolds — from the relaxed 5-mile Family Fun Ride to the epic 200 km Cotswold Monster.
07/07/2025
Just over a week ago, we welcomed hundreds of riders to the grounds of Broughton Castle for a day of sunshine and community.
From the 5-mile Family Fun Ride to the epic 200 km Cotswold Monster, every rider brought something special — and every mile helped support brilliant local causes like Katharine House Hospice, Let's Play Project, Dogs for Good - UK, the 1st Grimsbury Scout Group, Girl Guiding, and many more.
Massive thanks to everyone who made the day possible — our tireless volunteers, our supporters at the finish line, and the incredible teams at our feed stations.
The smiles, the teamwork, and the stories remind us why we do this. Over £100,000 raised since the first event — and still going.
📸 Got photos from the day? We’d love to see them. Tag us or share them in the comments below! Thank you Sorbrook Drone for the amazing footage!
02/07/2025
There’s such a long list of people and charities we still need to thank for the incredible help with this year’s Sportive — and today, we’re giving a huge shoutout to the wonderful team at Let's Play Project.
Not only did they support the event, they ran the Upper Slaughter feed station (GL54 2JG), and kept our riders fuelled with fresh bakes, smiles and energy.
They’ve also compiled a lovely video looking back at the day!
Thank you, Let's Play Project, for being such an important part of the ride. 💛
Staff of Let's Play
Toni Milns
Tatiana Stewart
30/06/2025
Cyclists from across the country made their way to Broughton Castle yesterday for the annual Sportive cycling challenge.
30/06/2025
Get your personalised finisher certificate from the Broughton Castle Sportive—featuring your name, time, and event details. Download instantly and celebrate your achievement!
30/06/2025
After the last rider rolls in, the medals are handed out, and the banners come down… it all hits home just how much it takes to bring the Broughton Castle Sportive to life.
This is a completely volunteer-led event, pulled together by people who give their time, energy and expertise purely because they care — about the riders, the community, and the causes we support.
From planning routes and assessing risks, to organising registrations, signage, feed stations, and every moving part in between — it’s a huge effort that spans months.
On the day, it takes even more:
1st Grimsbury Scout Group for setting up marquees and signage
Raynet and our operations team, for keeping things on track
Katharine House Hospice, for fuelling us all with tea and coffee
Every volunteer who helped with setup, pack-down, and all the small jobs that make a big difference
And a special shoutout to our finish line crew, who brought the final magic:
Cherwell Councillor Doctor Chuk Okeke, Clr Fiaz Ahmed, Richard Greaves from Cleenol, and Nigel from Rotary Club of Banbury.
You handed out medals, stayed longer than expected, cheered everyone in — and brought genuine joy to the finish line. Thank you for showing up with such warmth and spirit.
This event works because of people like you.
29/06/2025
LOST & FOUND - 1 lonely shoe
29/06/2025
28/06/2025
A big thank you to Norbar Torque Tools Ltd for sponsoring this year’s lanyards. Practical, stylish, and proudly worn by every rider — your support helps keep the event running smoothly
28/06/2025
27/06/2025
ONLINE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
But don’t worry — you can still register on the day!
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Broughton Castle Sportive - Cycle Event:
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
