Bainton Bikes Cycle Hire & Tours
78 Walton Street, Oxford, OX2 6EA, GB
Rating: 4.6 ★ (162 ratings)
Details
Nestled at 78 Walton Street in the vibrant Jericho district, Bainton Bikes offers an unparalleled way to experience Oxford's historic charm and scenic surroundings. With one of the largest and most varied hire fleets in the UK, you can choose the perfect ride for your adventure, whether it's a classic hybrid for city cruising, a tandem for a shared experience, or even an electric bike for an effortless journey. All hires conveniently include lights and locks, with options for delivery and puncture repairs, ensuring a hassle-free exploration of the city's famous colleges, tranquil waterways, and hidden gems. You can even opt for self-service bike rental available 24/7 through the Donkey Republic app, offering ultimate flexibility to collect and drop off your bike at various hubs across Oxford and beyond.
Embark on a memorable journey with one of Bainton Bikes' expertly crafted self-guided tours, such as "The Official Oxford Cycle Tour," designed to showcase a mix of history, culture, and picturesque landscapes often missed by other visitors. These routes, suitable for various abilities, might lead you along the River Thames, through the expansive Port Meadow, or past the iconic Oxford University Press. For those seeking a more supported adventure, guided tours are also available, led by friendly and experienced guides. Bainton Bikes, an Enjoy England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction, has also partnered with City Sightseeing Oxford, allowing you to seamlessly combine an open-top bus tour with a more intimate cycling exploration. Whether you're planning a short spin around the city or a longer foray into the Cotswolds, their team is dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and memorable cycling experience.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 8:45 AM – 5:30 PM; Tuesday: 8:45 AM – 5:30 PM; Wednesday: 8:45 AM – 5:30 PM; Thursday: 8:45 AM – 5:30 PM; Friday: 8:45 AM – 5:30 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Contact
+44 1865 311610
Comments
• Everything was ready for us on time. Bainton had thoughtfully asked for our individual heights and prepared bikes to fit.
• The bicycles were simple and easy to ride, with useful luggage baskets, making carrying things for a day in the sun really nice (no need to ride with a day backpack on).
• Our guide, Steve, was friendly, knowledgeable and happy to accommodate our preferences for stopping for beers and interest in local history.
• The Aunt Sally game was good fun.
• Lunch at The Perch was an excellent recommendation and booking by Bainton Bikes, couldn't fault it.
I'd thoroughly recommend it, added a lot to a day of drinking, got us a bit of exercise and to see beautiful places out in the fields around Oxford that we wouldn't otherwise have got to. A deserved 5 stars!
To our Dutch eyes, Oxford is not really a bike city: bike paths start and end abruptly, bus drivers do not seem to be prepared for cyclists and you often have to cycle on the sidewalk where crowds of unsuspecting pedestrians walk. Outside Oxford there are hardly any bike paths and you are allowed to cycle on busy roads, where motorists have to perform antics to pass you. So, dear Tourist Information staff and city council, please take a look in any Dutch city to see how bicycle traffic is organised there. Cycling is healthy and good for the environment. And good for tourists; we for sure would love to come back to enjoy your future, well-maintained, cycle routes!
Unfortunately, my experience with the Oxford City bike tour through Bainton Bikes was far from enjoyable. Despite the promising idea of exploring Oxford by bike, the execution was severely lacking.
To begin, the bikes were not ready at the scheduled meeting time, leading to an unnecessary delay. Our guide, John, seemed to be in no particular rush to get started, which was frustrating for a group eager to begin the tour.
Even more disappointing was the guide's focus. Instead of providing insightful commentary on the history and interesting stories of Oxford, John spent a significant amount of time discussing his role as a volleyball coach for the university teams. While his dedication to his coaching may be admirable, it was irrelevant to the purpose of the bike tour.
The portion of the ride along the canal was pleasant enough, but the "City-bikes" provided were a terrible choice for the bumpy dirt paths we encountered. The ride was uncomfortably rough. To add insult to injury, the derailleur on my sister's bike was faulty, leaving her with no gears for the entire ride.
Overall, the logistics of this tour need significant improvement. Providing unprepared bikes and a guide who prioritizes personal anecdotes over the advertised content is unacceptable. I would strongly recommend that Bainton Bikes invest in better organization and ensure they provide professional guides who are knowledgeable and focused on delivering the promised tour experience.
The staff in the shop were super friendly and personable, they clearly love bikes and riding and share that enthusiasm
The whole process was extremely straightforward and well priced. I would definitely hire bikes again from here if I needed to.