Walks on The Oxfordshire Way National Trail in England.

Walks including Stonor Deer Park- Henley - using The Thames Path and The Oxfordshire Way.

Welcome to our Oxfordshire Way Walks page - one of a series of pages of walks instructions and photos on our website describing hiking trips from around The Chilterns (Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire) in England.
These walks vary between 8 to 12 miles and are circular. The walks all involve using The Oxfordshire Way to some degree and also at times use other National Trails including The Ridgeway, The Icknield Way and the South Bucks Way as well as parts of Grim's Ditch and the Thames Path.
The Stonor to Stonor walk described below goes through Red Kite country - we have walked this excellent route many times and have never failed to spot many Red Kites as well as Buzzards, Hawks, Woodpeckers, occasional Owls as well as lot's of other birds whilst in the woods and up on the ridge. Once down onto the River Thames there are loads of ducks, herons, gulls and quite often the flash of a kingfisher to enjoy.
To see a complete list of the walks on our site please select the UK Walks option at the bottom of this page.

Stonor to Stonor via Assendon Ridge, Oxfordshire Way, Maidens Grove. You can park on the B480 opposite the main entrance to Stonor Deer Park [], there is usually room for around 10 or 12 cars, however on weekends this can be full up whilst during weekdays parking is usually easy. OSGB map to use is Explorer 171
Facing the Park go right along the road into and through the village - as you get to the end of the village there is a farm and barns on your left, and a footpath on the left just beyond these barns. Cross the field with the barns on your left and go on up through the woods - at the top continue slightly right through Coxlease Farm - (white arrows) - on meeting the cross-track turn right and continue along Assendon Ridge with its lovely views and frequent sightings or red kites (showing off as always). The track bears right and then enters Paradise woods - a good name as you will discover as you follow the winding footpath as it descends slowly down the ridge. When the woods end continue half right down the field to the road.
Turn left and follow this road to a junction where you turn right and then right again (passing Bix Hall Farm) - although a road this is now in fact the Oxfordshire Way. Usually a very quiet road, follow it as it winds round and when eventually coming to a T-junction, stay right. Still following the road pass a farm on your left and shortly afterwards arrive at the ruins of St James's Church on your left. A few hundred yards past this ruin the Oxfordshire Way returns to being a lovely hedge track as it leaves the road on the right and climbs up into the woods.

Keep climbing through the woods for quite a while - as you eventually leave the woods there is a sign for Lodge Farm on the right but continue slightly left on the track - when this tracks soon splits stay left again to come out on a road with a huge Common area (Russell's Water Common) on your left. Cross the road and take the track opposite which is marked Maidens grove Farm - the path goes into the farm and bends sharply left by a barn - you can then clearly see a double arrow marked path between two fences in front of you. Carry on across the field and on down through the woods - clearly marked with white arrows.
At the bottom you then have to go up the other side of the woods and then on across a field to the edge of the next woods (Long wood) - turn right and follow the track (which goes just inside the woods) down to a T-junction at the bottom. Slight diversion here? - you can turn left and have a look at Pishill Church which is only a couple of hundred yards away - there are a couple of seats here for a picnic and also good views of Stonor Park).

At the T-junction turn right and follow the Oxfordshire Way downhill - ignore a track going off to the left - continue straight on and up the other side of the field into the woods. Continue UP steeply through the woods keeping to the main track and eventually this track goes down to a road - cross the road and take the footpath opposite which quickly goes slightly right of the track up into the woods again and then arrives at a field edge. Cross the field (half right) and then at the edge of the field where a clear track goes straight on, turn sharp left and follow a clear path across the field to the woods (Park Wood). Follow the marked path down through these woods to arrive at a stile - cross this into a field and continue on down - crossing another field - to the road. Turn left back to Stonor Park main entrance.

Stonor to Stonor circular via Henley - The Thames - Oxfordshire Way. As with the above walk this starts on the B480 opposite the main entrance to Stonor Deer Park, where there is usually room for around 10 or 12 cars along the roadside; note however on weekends this can be full up whilst during weekdays parking is normally easy. Pack some bread since there are plenty of starving (fat actually - amazing they can fly..) ducks and hungry swans to feed when you get down to the River Thames. OSGB map to use is Explorer 171

Facing Stonor Park go right along the road then shortly after passing a road on the right look out on the left for a signposted bridleway which goes between houses. Once past the houses the path heads very steeply up - the deer fence protecting the Park is on the left and low level woodland on the right. The path emerges on a farm road - turn left and then go right at the road junction. Follow this narrow high hedged lane past several houses to then reach the entrance to Coxlease Farm. Turn right and follow the track past the barns and then the farmhouse (on the right). Continue along now on Assendon Ridge - this is a favourite walking area for us, the views are really good when it's not raining too hard and it is very unusual not to see lots of red kites showing off in the thermals.

As the track ends bear right and follow the field edge to soon reach the edge of Paradise Wood. The narrow path wanders through the woods with the field edge close by on the left and heavy woodland to the right - this is yet another really nice path - especially in Spring. On leaving the woods carry on across the field - the path drops down to the road. Turn left and follow the road into Middle Assendon. Just after passing the very picturesque Rainbow Public House go left on a narrow road which after a short distance reaches another road, turn left up this now going by houses on the right. Shortly take a path leaving off on the right - this is now marked as the Oxfordshire Way - it welcomes you by climbing very steeply up between high hedgerow and then emerges at a field edge. It continues climbing across the field to reach a hedgerow - continue along over two fields sometimes between wooden fences to reach a small road.

Cross the road and continue along the track passing a duck pond on the right. Now simply stay on the track, eventually passing several large houses and the track becomes more surfaced. Just after passing Henley Park House the track bears left but stay ahead going through a gate - this is still The Oxfordshire Way and is clearly signposted. The path goes almost straight across fields usually populated with inquisitive sheep - then the path starts to descend and enters a small wooded area. At the far side of the woods bear right on a narrower path which then continues with a field on the right and a playing fields on the left to finally arrive at the A4130 road just outside Henley. Turn left and follow the road - just after the Magistrate's Offices look out for and take a signed footpath on the left - this takes you between houses to arrive on the A4155. If you miss this path simply go on down to the roundabout and turn left onto the A4155 instead. Cross the road and then just after the entrance to the Rugby club take a signposted path on the right - this will bring you down to the River Thames. Turn left and follow the river bank heading towards trees - the Thames is really wide here and is well used by the rowing fraternity as well as by lots of pleasure boats and barges. The path continues through the trees and crosses a brook via a small wooden bridge and stone/brick archway and comes out on a grassy area where there are several seats - just about right for a lunch break. This is also very much hungry duck (as well as gulls and swans etc.) territory.

Continue over an inlet and then through a gate into a protected wetland area - note if it has been raining this can be very wet or even possibly flooded to some degree. Temple Island is clearly visible in the centre of the river - shortly after passing it the path veers away from the river. It crosses over several wooden plank bridges and then goes half left across a field - passes over a small metal road - to eventually reach a stile by the main road.
Turn right and follow the road - when you get near to some buildings on the left carefully cross this often very busy road. Continue along the main road and soon take a marked track on the left - continue along the track as it passes farm buildings and houses and heads into the hills. The track gently rises - when it splits keep straight ahead - the track now climbs a little more steeply - ignore side tracks and just keep winding up into the woods. This is definitely red kite country - we have never been along here without seeing lots of them showing their flying skills. As the track starts to level out the valley below is full of rhododendrons - the area in this part of the woods (Great Woods) really is excellent for walking.

The track goes through fir trees and then reaches a track junction - take the left hand fork and almost immediately go left again on a marked narrow path - this climbs and winds up fairly steeply through the trees and becomes a sunken path. Continue along the path - the small trees either side almost make a tunnel - to eventually arrive at a farm drive. Keep straight ahead along the drive to reach a road at Upper Woodend Farm. Turn right and follow the road to a T-junction, go straight across and over a stile into a field. Cross the field to the wood edge and then continue straight on through dense fir trees. The path descends to cross a track and then climbs a steep short section to reach a field edge. Continue along the field with a hedge on the left - when you reach a hollow surrounded by trees keep ahead aiming to the left of the buildings now visible. Go over the stile by the buildings and continue ahead to the road.
Cross the road and continue straight ahead on a wide track - this now part of the Stonor Estate. Go straight ahead at a track junction - the track now starts to descend and this is another area full of rhododendrons. Simply follow the track downhill and then go left on a marked path - soon going via a high fenced area and kissing gate. Stonor's large estate house soon comes into view on the right as well as other old buildings and a church. This is also deer country and of course another red kite spotting area - there are also buzzards and other hunting birds often to be seen. Simply follow the path as it wanders along the top of the hillside and then eventually starts to descend quite steeply down to a gate. Turn right and go back along the road to shortly be at the original start point.

Rycote Chapel, Charlbury, Wychwood Forest and Thame - these two Walks vary between 8 to 12 miles and also involve other English National Trails including The Ridgeway, The Icknield Way, The South Bucks Way and Grim's Ditch.

Thame (S. Oxfordshire) via Shabbington + Rycote Chapel. This meadowland and forest walk starts at The Prebendal and Thame Church [ SP 7040 0638 ] where you will usually find plenty of parking space on the roadside. Note however that if there has been recent heavy rain the fields just after the start of the walk do flood easily (they are water meadows of course and meant to do this) or can be very muddy - Thame river does go over it's banks with little encouragement and if the fields are flooded here then probably the area after the Fisherman's pub will be too wet to walk.
With the church behind you head north (through some white traffic barriers) along the old road soon crossing two bridges and shortly arriving at the by-pass (A418); cross this busy road with great care.
After a few metres take the path on the left (marked Thame Valley Walk) and head across the fields in a westerly direction until you reach a minor road [ SP 6803 0777 ]

Turn left on this road then when the road bears right take a path leaving on your left (Thame Valley Walk) and follow this across the fields to emerge on a road by Shabbington Church. Turn left and follow the road - passing the Fisherman Pub off to the right but staying on the road as it goes sharp left over two hump bridges - the path continues on the right just after the second bridge [ SP 6697 0651 ]. Now simply follow the river until the path seems to end [SP 6682 0551 ], where you turn sharp left and head to the now visible and noisy A418 main-road.
Cross this with care and take the opposite path for a few yards, then turn right onto the old disused railway track. Follow this track soon going through some gates and then after passing woods on your left arrive at a driveway, turn left up this driveway towards the houses and farm buildings. At a T-junction you pick up the Oxfordshire Way [ SP 6635 0486 ], go left here and follow it to Rycote Chapel (The Oxfordshire Way goes right passed the Church - which is sometimes open in the Spring/Summer - and also note there are seats at the Chapel for a picnic break)

Leaving the Chapel continue into the woods and then follow the path until eventually coming to a field - cross this and back into the woods on the far side. Stay on the main track through the woods until you arrive at the road (A329). Now cross the road and onto the golf course and continue on the Oxfordshire Way as it passes the two artificial lakes a little way to your left and continues on up to the club house which is also on your left.

Bear left just passed the club house and join a tarmac road - head down this narrow road with the club house now on your left and practice greens on your right - this road then soon becomes a track - follow this track down as it heads towards Moreton. The track ends at some gates, go through these gates and head in the same direction down the road passing Elm Tree Farm on your left into Moreton. When a small road comes in from the right keep straight on and follow the road until it forks, go right here and continue along through this very pretty village, passing a small duck pond on your right (ignore the road going off to the right here - it's a dead end). The road ends at some houses, look for a path going straight on between houses+gardens and follow this mostly tarmac path - soon going over a small stream and then with a field on your right - until this path meets a track [ SP 7018 0513 ], turn left down this track and head back into Thame. The track eventually reaches houses and then a tarmac road, continue in the same direction - with playing fields on your left - until you reach a roundabout, turn left here and follow the road until it reaches Thame high street. Turn left here (, go across the road and then continue along until it turns very sharp left on it's way out of Thame - take the small road on your right which will take you back to the Church.

Charlbury to Charlbury via the ancient Wychwood Forest. This walk is around 8 and a half miles, undulates, takes in a lovely green track, then the former hunting forest of Wychwood and finishes by the river Evenlode. Park at Charlbury railway station [ SP 35219 19441 ] - loads of space on the weekends.
Walk back to the road (B4437), turn left crossing the railway line and then turn right along the small lane to Walcot Farm (this is in fact the Oxfordshire Way). The track bears slightly left at the farm and changes from tarmac to a grassy and gravel surface. Passing a derelict barn (Top Barn) continue along the track to Catsham Lane [ SP 33367 20000 ]. Turn right and almost immediately left - signposted Shorthampton, you will soon see the church in the distance on the right. Carry straight on at the first road junction ( but it is well worth first diverting right down the small road to the church and taking a look ) and then as the road turns right at the bend carry straight on along another grassy track.

On reaching the road at Chilson [ SP 31857 19547 ] turn left and walk out of the village up to the main road (B4437). Turn right towards Burford but very shortly take the signposted footpath on the left - pass some houses, go along a hedged track and look for a stile on the right. Follow the footpath on the left side of the field up into the woodlands ahead. Follow the marked path through Knighton's Copse until you reach a signposted path junction - go left and then shortly right and follow this track down through Cockshoothill woods - you should have a fields on your left. This takes you down to a small road.
Turn left up the road following it until you come to Waterman's Lodge farm. Opposite the farm entrance turn right [ SP 33276 18217 ] onto a quite muddy track and immediately right again and follow this main track through Wychwood Forest - it eventually turns into a very wide grassy track - keep going along this wide grassy area (almost avenue) until you reach Vista Gate [SP34530 17553], turn right along the track here and follow it passing disused sawmills and dropping steeply down to a lake. Turn sharp left here (steel gates in front of you) and after a few yards turn right on a steep track back up into the woods. Carry along this track which eventually comes out into more open countryside - the track has it's own name "Patch Riding Track". Keep going until you reach the main road at Finstock.

Turn left along the road and follow it out of the village - pass a road junction coming in on your right and just a little way down the hill there is a footpath on your left - it is a stone stile with an arch cut into the hedge. There are a couple of ruined stone buildings ahead of you, pass to the right of these to go through a gate and continue along a track as it sweeps down and then up and around fields eventually with a high hedge on your left.

Turn right [ SP 35778 17358 ] down a track and after a few yards look for an avenue of trees slightly to your left (Cornbury House is away on your left) and walk through these trees (this is a marked footpath) - this then brings you down to the lakes by Park Farm. Cross the lakes with an old building on your left and shortly take a public footpath along the side of Cornbury Park (metal railed fence on your left).
Simply continue along to North Lodge [SP 35473 18739] - turn right to cross the beautifully named river Evenlode and then the railway bridge to a t-junction, turn left along this road back into Charlbury and then back down to the railway station.

Please see our Home Page for many other items about England including 100s of English Church Photos, wildflowers and toadstools and visitor guides to our English Canals. More walks can be found via our Walking in England. Also take a look towards the bottom of our Home Page where there are links to our other travel sites about The Canary Islands, Cyprus, Portugal's Algarve, The Greek Islands and Athens, Egypt, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangkok, Bali and several other Indonesian Holiday Islands. Please visit our Resources topic if you wish to Email Us and/or to see our site privacy policy.