This 17 mile walk starts and finishes at Stonesfield and visits part
of Blenheim's Great Park, goes along the Oxford Canal, visits Woodstock and then back via
Blenheim Park Great Park again - this time though passing by the lakes and Blenheim Palace itself. It also
goes by the Roman Villa site which is located a little way south of
Stonesfield. The Oxford Canal is excellent to walk
along in the above areas especially in Spring - it is so full of wildlife and foliage - equally as good if perhaps
not better for walking than the Grand Union.
GPS readings are OSGB British Grid and
shown in [ ]s and are in easterly and northerly order. Entering the correct Grid
Letters into your GPS is essential ( i.e. the first walk uses SP grid
letters.) The map used is O.S. Explorer Series number 180 Oxford
Stonesfield - Oxfordshire Way - Oxford Canal - Woodstock - Blenheim - Stonesfield.
27km - undulates. Although quite a long hike you get loads of great scenery
plus rivers and canals and the grounds of Blenheim Palace and even a
browse at a Roman Villa for your money. The walk starts at Stonesfield -
this village has narrow little roads and only very limited parking by it's
small Post Office/front of the church. We have not written too much
instruction about the first half of the walk which soon takes you almost
straight along the Oxfordshire Way since the Trail is mostly very clearly
sign-posted.
From this parking area walk through the church yard to Church Fields road, turn left and
when the road turns sharply left go right onto the Oxfordshire Way (this
is clearly marked). The path soon descends steeply - a small bridge
[ SP 39370 16958 ] and the River Evenlode
comes into view- just before reaching this go left through a gate and
follow the path round through another gate.
The whole of the trail is now well marked -
you are actually walking on Akeman Street - a Roman Road. Follow the trail
eventually reaching the stone walls of Blenheim Palace's Great Park -
enter the park via a step ladder and then continue straight ahead through
some woodland and then open parkland. The path dips and then climbs a
little to reach a set of farm buildings - pass to the left of these and
then go through a gate on the right to reach a cross track. Go right on
the track and almost immediately look for a gate hidden in the trees on
the left (Wooten Gate).
Now cross the wide grass verge
and go carefully across the A44 to the small road opposite which is
signposted to Wootton. There are no Oxfordshire Way signs around here - so
shortly take a small lane going off to the right which is signposted
Bletchingdon. This narrow tarmac lane (called Stratford Lane) drops down
to cross the River Glyme [ SP 44263 18688 ] and then climbs steeply up to reach a road
junction.
Go across now with the Oxfordshire Way clearly marked again. Just follow the signs - taking care when you cross the busy A4260 Banbury Road. Take the road opposite and after a few metres go through a gate on the right. Just stay ahead crossing fields to reach a wooded area - the trail now becomes a narrow path crossing styles and then a bridge - just after the bridge take a narrow path on the right which takes you across a field to a gate. Turn left and go under the railway bridge on this really poor track - continue along soon with the River Cherwell on the right, go right at a track junction to cross the river and follow the signs passing several small weirs to reach the Oxford Canal. There is a narrow lock ( Pigeon Lock) here and also a nice wooden seat - a perfect place for a lunch break. Turn right and go under the small bridge [ SP 48681 19411 ] and carry on along the tow path - the countryside and surrounding views along this canal are really great.
The River Cherwell eventually arrives running below the canal on the right and then some
large dish aerials from an earth station can be seen. A series of narrow
boat jetties appear on the left - then after passing under a railway
bridge a large public house appears on the left - this is Enslow.
Leave the canal at the road bridge to go
up to the B4027 road, turn right and walk along the wide grassy area
alongside the road to cross the River Cherwell on Enslow Bridge
[ SP 47767 18431 ]. Follow the road as it goes sharp left and climbs to reach a road junction -
turn left onto the A4095 - just a few 100 metres along take a track
leaving the road on the right. Follow this via a copse and then across a
field to a road - go straight across and continue ahead to another road.
Go right and immediately take a bridle way opposite and then just a few
metres on take a footpath on the left. This path crosses the fields and you can
now see Woodstock ahead - the church looks reasonably close at first but
somehow seems to get further and further away as you walk towards it.
When the path reaches the houses continue between fences/gardens and
then down via steps to a road.
Turn right and follow the road round (ignore the smaller road
going off right) - continue up to reach a road junction. Straight ahead is
marked as a no through road - take a signed path on the right which heads
down to the water meadows by a bridge. Do not cross the bridge, instead
carry on along now with a stream on the right - immediately before the
main road bear right and then left to emerge on the road
[ SP44239 16985 ]. Cross the road
using the pedestrian crossing, then go right and shortly go through a
large green gate - this looks like a private drive but is actually a
footpath too. A few metres along go through another green gate on the
left and enter the grounds of Blenheim Estate.
Turn right and follow the tarmac road
passing one end of Queens Pool to reach a road junction, turn left and
follow the road slowly up - Blenheim Palace now becomes clearly in view
ahead of you. The road then descends towards Grand Bridge - just before
the bridge turn right - still on a tarmac road - and then take a signed
footpath on the left which follows the edge of The Lake. As The Lake narrows and then ends take a
gate on the left - the path now bears right and up into woods and
eventually joins a tarmac road. Turn left on the road and follow this
still climbing as it wanders through woodland. As the road bears left
look out for a gate by a Lodge on the right - take this to come out of
the Estate onto a small road.
Turn right and follow this road to reach
a junction, go left here and then shortly take a marked path signed
Combe Church on the right. The path crosses a field then continues
through a gap - now with the woods on the right. It then turns right via
a hedge gap - follow the path to reach Combe Church - St Laurence - clearly visible ahead.
Go through the churchyard and continue to a road, turn left to shortly reach a main road. Go left and
take the next road on the right - stay on this narrow road which initially
passes houses - when the road turns right continue straight ahead through
Higher Westfield Farm.
The narrow farm road goes steeply down then veers
left by water works, then continues along the valley - there are great views
here especially on the left. After passing through Lower Westfield Farm
continue straight on into a field - the River Evenlode and a railway
bridge come into view. Follow the grass track as it drops down and bears
right, a few metres along you can cross the river on a small farm
bridge [ SP39867 15533 ]. Turn sharp left and follow the path as it goes alongside the
river and then under the railway bridge.
Turn right across the fields - the path soon arrives at the remains of
North Leigh Roman Villa. Apart from being able to have a look round the
remains on this
reasonably extensive site the area has a very convenient bench seat which is
ideal for a 5 minute drinks stop.
At the far end of the site there is a mosaic which is housed inside a
building for it's protection. When we arrived at the site it was all locked up
but we arrived quite late in the afternoon so presumably you can go in
to look at the mosaic during the day.
From the site carry straight on (do not take the small path going sharp left
alongside the site), to arrive at a t-junction. Turn right onto a farm road
which shortly goes over a railway bridge then when the road bends right
continue straight ahead across fields to eventually arrive back at the bridge
just outside of Stonesfield. Cross the River Evenlode and then go back up the
original track/path to arrive back into Stonesfield.
|
Go to the Top of this Page |
-Resources- Home Page Contact Us |
More English Walking Guides
can be found via our English Walks Menu
Other of our England Related Topics include
photos of English Churches, Wildflowers, Toadstools, Oxford and Grand Union
Canal Locks and Bridges - all can be found via our Home Page.
You can also find Travel and Holiday Guides on many Greek and Canary Islands, Egypt, Cyprus, The Algarve
and New Zealand.