At a glance
Farmoor Reservoir
- Distance
- 4 miles
- Estimated time
- 2 hours
- Route type
- Circular
- GPS app guided
- Yes
- Parking
- Visitors car park 51.75133, -1.34748
- Characteristics
- Woodland, Water, Countryside, Pub
Oxfordshire Walks
Farmoor Reservoir Walk
This relaxing 4 mile circular walk at Farmoor Reservoir has nature all around.
Farmoor Reservoir is a beautiful nature reserve located near Oxford. It’s a wonderful place to watch wildlife, meander along the beautiful River Thames and explore a delightful woodland. Whilst you’re walking, stop every now and then to listen to the birdsong - food for the soul.
Download the Oxfordshire Walks App to follow this route with real-time GPS navigation.
On a computer? Scan the QR code with your phone's camera to get the Oxfordshire Walks app.
Gallery
Photos from this walk
The walk
Farmoor Reservoir
Enter Farmoor Reservoir via the Thames Water site at gate 3. Note that the gates are locked over night, check the time before beginning the walk. There are public toilets at the car park.
The great John Muir once said: ‘In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.’
Walking amongst nature is good for us and this weeks relaxing walk is at Farmoor Reservoir where nature is everywhere.
A route map is shown below and if you download the Oxfordshire Walks app, you can see you position on the map as you walk. Just search for 'Oxfordshire Walks' on your app store.
When many people visit Farmoor Reservoir, they may just walk around the Reservoir itself. However, there is so much more to see and do around the area. There is a wide variety of wetland habitats, several small nature reserves, extensive paths and beautiful countryside to explore.
This week’s walk from the App starts at the visitor car park and there are instructions on the App to help you find the path to take. There is usually a wide range of ducks, waders and other wildfowl and possibly rare gulls on the Reservoir for you to see. However, following the route on the App you will soon leave the reservoir and follow easy paths amongst some delightful countryside. You will follow paths along the beautiful River Thames and besides gorgeous fields filled with grasses and wildflowers gently swaying in the breeze. The walk takes you along boardwalks through lovely woodland and under giant willow trees towering above, giving welcome shade on a hot summer’s day.
There are many interesting information boards on route, which explains the wildlife interest of the area and are great for educating the kids. If they are open, you will also be able to wander through the Pinkhill, Shrike and Buckthorn Nature Reserves where you may see and hear a wide variety of birds such as the wonderful Willow Warbler.
When you have finished your walk, before leaving the car park you can visit the coffee shop located beside the Reservoir for a well deserved treat.
WHEN WALKING THROUGH THE NATURE RESERVES, PLEASE LOOK AFTER THESE VERY SPECIAL PLACES - STAY ON PATHS AND TAKE ALL RUBBISH HOME WITH YOU.
Please note: Dogs are welcome on this walk if kept on a lead. However, they are NOT allowed on the actual reservoir site. Please check opening times for parking.
This is one of our favourite walks - we hope you will enjoy it also. PLEASE send us your stories and photos to oxfordshire@localwalks.co.uk
Based on 13 user ratings
Community feedback
Overall rating4.5
An outstanding walk
Very dog friendly
Generally well maintained
Possible with care
Very limited access
Good facilities
Quite good
Spot on
Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Oxfordshire Walks app.
First-hand experiences
User reviews
Walker review
Nice walk with dogs but yoi cannot visit thr cafe and toilet facilities with them.
Walker review
Great walk with the dog, lots of spots to swim in the river. We only needed to pop him on the lead at the strat and end of the walk
Walker review
Very enjoyable .. with lots of options to take detours or short cuts....Hot and cold food availabke at rhe cafe abohe rhe carpark: pls add that to the map! ...Lovely for wildlife (lots of cuckoos, othe birds, dragonflies ) Given wet spring ( end of May), some paths were overgown wirh high vegetation including nettles....Amazed to find toilets at 3 points around....
Walker review
Wonderful walk! The majority of the route is flat and paved with the exeption of a slight incline on grassy paths and a couple of dirt tracks. I would say buggy friendly in dry conditions like this time of year (May). It took me an hour and half to walk the entire thing but I was solo. The walk is perfect for people with dogs and children in the heat as its half shaded half open fields so you dont get burnt to death, also while walking along the river there is plenty of places to plop into the water if you so should feel the urge. Also there are plenty of places to dip back onto the reservoir and get back to the carpark quicker if youd like to end the walk sooner. 10/10
Walker review
Very very pleasant, and evidence of a presence of wildlife.
Walker review
Lovely walk. Car park was free when I went, but looks like it does charge usually. Lots of places to stop and sit.
Walker review
Very muddy at the moment
Walker review
Please remember that dogs are not allowed around the reservoir itself. The country walk was perfect for our furry family member. There were plenty of benches along the route so a stop with a flask of tea would have made this walk perfect. The last stretch back to the car park was along the main road but you are on a wide grass verge.
Comments from walkers who have completed the Farmoor Reservoir walk.
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Oxfordshire Walks App
Follow the Farmoor Reservoir walk with GPS guidance
The easiest way to follow this route is with the Oxfordshire Walks app. Choose the walk and follow the pointer showing your live position on the route map, so you can see you're on the right path.
The app works without a phone signal, so you can keep following the route wherever the walk takes you.
Download the app
On a computer? Scan the QR code with your phone's camera to get the Oxfordshire Walks app.
Designed to be simple
- Choose a walk and follow the pointer
- See your live position on the route map
- Works without a phone signal
- Includes 250+ Oxfordshire walks
- Free one-month trial
- Available for iPhone and Android
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