Drives / Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England / Coln Valley and Upper Thames Road Loop
Coln Valley and Upper Thames Road Loop road scenery
Remapped approved

Coln Valley and Upper Thames Road Loop

Pair the B4425 with the upper Thames country on a loop through Burford, Lechlade and Fairford. The northern half supplies the Cotswold driving road; the southern return changes the landscape without retracing it.

37 miDistance
1 hr 15 minEstimated drive
CircularRoute type

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CircularShort drive
Area
Driving roads near Cirencester. Nearby visits are optional.
Notable roads
A429 · B4425 · A40 · A361 · A417
Near
Cirencester · Cheltenham · Oxford · Gloucester
Route status
Remapped approved
Last reviewed
23 October 2026
Make time for the stops

Highlights along the way

Bibury

The Coln valley and limestone houses provide a natural contrast to the open B4425. Arlington Row is an optional walking visit with separate parking.

Lechlade

A landscape or settlement near this driving corridor. Any walk or attraction visit is optional and may require a separate turn-off and parking.

Before you set off

Village traffic, agricultural vehicles and steep or tightening bends can slow progress. Avoid busy holiday periods where possible; keep town and attraction visits optional. Check current road closures, vehicle suitability and weather before travel. Driving time excludes stops and live traffic. All visits off the driving line are optional independent detours.

Get to know the roads

Explore the drive

Pan and zoom to explore the route before you set off.

Before you head out

Frequently asked questions

A little help planning your drive.

Does the estimated driving time include stops?

The estimated 1 hr 15 min is driving time only. Allow extra time for viewpoints, breaks and visits. Live traffic, weather and road conditions can change the journey time.

Does this drive bring me back to the start?

Yes. This is a circular route that returns to the starting area. Check the mapped start and finish points when planning your journey.

Can I start somewhere else or change the stops?

Yes. Customise this route to change the start, finish or stops, or build it into a multi-day road trip. Sign in to save your own version.

Are the start and finish points parking locations?

Not necessarily. They mark the route’s driving references and are not a guarantee of parking or a suitable place to stop. Check parking arrangements separately and only stop where it is safe and permitted.

What should I know before setting off?

Read the Before you set off notes for this drive, then check current road closures and conditions. The notes highlight route-specific considerations; they are not a live road-status report.

What does Remapped approved mean?

“Remapped approved” means a route has been selected and approved by Remapped. We use a combination of driving routes ourselves, scouting locations, prior knowledge and detailed research. The mix varies by route: approval does not mean every road has been personally driven. Road-image locations are confirmed using GPS data. How we choose and approve routes ↗