Woodstock and Blenheim Great Park Walks - England
Walk in England which goes along the lovely Oxford Canal, the River Cherwell and sometimes on The Oxfordshire Way.
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.
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 ( Pigeons 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 appears 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.
A few metres along go through another green gate on the left and enter the grounds of Blenheim Palace 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.
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 had got there 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 and take the 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.
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External Resource:-
If you are thinking of a holiday in the Cotswolds you may
be interested in checking out the
Let's Stay Cotswolds website - they are online holiday accommodation and
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