The local walks blog…

This week’s walk is a gentle meander along the beautiful River Thames, through gorgeous water meadows and an old Lock and Weir to exlore. Take time to admire a more peaceful way of life with the beautiful brightly painted barges and pleasure boats along the way.

Starting in the centre of the old town of Eynsham, this 5 mile circular walk takes you firstly along the B4044 (please see note at end). Shortly after crossing over the elegant Georgian Swinford Toll Bridge take the footpath to the left which takes you under the bridge and onto the Thames Path. The footpath beside the river meanders serenely through beautiful water meadows where, apart from the odd fellow walker or occasional barge, you will find this spot very tranquil indeed. In the early summer, some of the fields are full of meadow flowers and put on a wonderful display.

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This week’s walk takes you to Badbury Hill, an area of beautiful woodland belonging to the National Trust. Explore trails through the woodland, wander along peaceful countryside paths and admire the amazing view at Badbury Clump.

This short 3 mile walk starts at the Badbury Hill National Trust Car Park. From here the walk takes you along a path through the woodland. These mixed woodlands of larch, beech, sycamore, oak, pine, cherry and silver birch offer a haven for a wide variety of wild plants and animals to look out for. The woods also, conceal some interesting archaeological and historical features dating from the Iron Age through to the Second World War.

The kids will love exploring and building dens and you can search out the many paths through the woods with confidence. By following the pointer on the app, you will always find your way back onto the route on the map to continue your walk.

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This lovely Pub Walk from the Jolly Boatman pub in Thrupp is a delightful and varied walk around the Oxfordshire countryside. Expect lazy canal-side roaming, haunted manor house ruins, open countryside, peaceful churches, farm animals and horses, lovely woodland paths and a little surprise oasis for the dogs.

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It is going to be hot, so here’s a beautiful circular walk mainly through cool woodlands and pleasant pastures. As an added bonus you could finish the walk by having a leisurely stroll around Greys Court, a stunning National Trust property near Henley-on-Thames.

This walk starts at the Rising Sun car park at Highmoor (for customers only). Otherwise you could park by the side of the green. Alternatively you could start the walk at Greys Court - a beautiful National Trust property and pick up the route from there. You will need to book though and unless you are a member there is a fee to pay (but well worth a visit).

There are a few moderate climbs so best to start early before it gets too hot. Alternatively, you could start from Greys Court and just do half of the route as shown on the map in the photos below. (Just follow the marker on the map to join back up with the marked route).

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We’re heading to the hills for this weekend’s epic walk in Oxfordshire - The Chiltern Hills. Passing through the spectacular Warburg Nature Reserve, this walk offers distant views, ancient woodland, a pretty hamlet and the icing on the cake - a lovely traditional country pub with a garden providing views to die for. WHAT A WALK

This varied 4 1/2 mile walk starts at the Warburg Nature Reserve, (www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/warburg-nature-reserve), a wonderful reserve set in a lovely patchwork of woods, scrub and flower-rich grassland with a wide range of plants and invertebrates. Plants to be found here include orchids, gentian, marjoram and thyme - attracting numerous butterflies and other insects.

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The weather this weekend is going to be gorgeous and the stunning views of a Palace awaits you for a delightful walk through the grounds of Blenheim Park. You will be surrounded by lonely fields, wonderful parkland, towering old oak trees and a beautiful lake - all against the backdrop of the magnificent Blenheim Palace. Good exercise in the fresh air, sunshine on your face and a stop for a well deserved rest at the end of an enjoyable walk - perfection in the making.

This 6 1/2 mile walk starts in the pretty old Oxfordshire market town of Woodstock where you will find many shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants to enjoy. You can park in the car park in Hensington Road. This means you are able to enjoy the wonderful parkland around the palace for free. Alternatively, if you want to visit the formal gardens as well you could park at the Palace and pay an entrance fee - you will need to book though https://www.blenheimpalace.com

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We are staying near Burford in the wonderful Windrush Valley for this weekend’s classic cotswold walk. Starting from Burford, one of the most picturesque towns in England, the walk explores the countryside surrounding this fascinating town. The walk meanders along paths beside this beautiful river, through fields and water meadows, and along a valley fringed by woodland either side. There is also a small isolated medieval church to visit.

This 6 mile walk starts from the beautiful medieval town of Burford, often known as a gateway to the Cotswolds. The town is famous for its fabulous High Street with its pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops. At the bottom of the High Street is a fine three arched medieval bridge under which flows the lovely River Windrush, renowned for its beautifully clear water.

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This weekend’s walk explores the beautiful Windrush Valley and is perfect for before or after Sunday lunch. The walk travels through the highly desirable villages of Asthall and Swinbrook and passes the sweet, isolated medieval church of Widford. This is typical stunning cotswold views all the way.

This 5 mile walk starts at the pretty village of Asthall where you can stop to admire the picturesque churchyard and get a splendid view of the intriguing Asthall Manor which was built circa 1620. This was the childhood home of the Mitford Sisters who gained widespread attention for their stylish and controversial lives as young people. Nancy and Jessica became well-known writers: Nancy wrote The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate, and Jessica The American Way of Death (1963). Deborah managed Chatsworth, one of the most successful stately homes in England.

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What a walk we have for you this weekend — in fact three walks in one! This walk takes a figure of eight and if you just do the first part of the walk then it’s one for all the family and your dog(s). You will enjoy easy paths, wonderful views, plenty of variety and interest plus lovely picnic spots — perfect.

A few days ago we did just the first smaller 6 mile loop of this walk crossing the bridge at Henley-on-Thames and heading downstream along the river bank following the regatta course with plenty of interest all the way. We saw many different boats, a variety of wildlife including geese, ducks, swans and cormorants plus lots of people generally messing about in the river. Allow some time to explore the lock and weir at Hambledon Mill and then continue for a while along a much quieter stretch of river. If you are lucky, here you may spot a kingfisher darting on the river.

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This weekend’s walk is a great one to do when you just want to stroll and experience the natural beauty all around you. The sound of wind rustling through the trees, the birds singing, insects buzzing, coots in the water calling for their mate and wild plants, blossoms and blooms all the way. Soothing for your soul.

This 5 mile circular walk is on easy paths most of the way and is an ideal for all of the family and your dog(s). Starting at Rushy Common Nature Reserve and neighbouring Tar Lake, the paths around the lakes are a delight and whilst the hides are currently closed there is plenty of wildlife to see including dragonflies, damselflies, mallards, coots and the stunning little red-crested pochard. If you are really lucky you will see a kingfisher flashing by and maybe even sightings of peregrine and sparrowhawk. (So if you have some — take your binoculars.)

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If you are looking for a walk that will give you a good leg stretch, provide peace and solitude and where you can immerse yourself in nature this is the walk for you. The walk passes through the Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve, past the hamlet of Duxford with its pretty thatched cottages and then along a beautiful stretch of the River Thames.

The start of this six mile walk is at the Chimney Meadows Car Park which is quite small and there is nowhere else to park so the walk is best done early in the morning or early evening (which is also the best time to experience the wildlife).

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After another lovely warm day, why not enjoy a gorgeous late afternoon circular walk from Great Rissington in the Cotswolds. This walk will arouse your senses - charming scenery around you, wild flowers to smell, Sky Larks soaring above you and Song Thrushes singing their hearts out from the woodland. What a wonderful end to a beautiful day.

This 3 mile walk (we carried it out anti-clockwise) starts and finishes at the charming village of Great Rissington and takes you along easy paths through fields and light woodland until you reach the meandering River Windrush. Here you will find some nice little spots to stop and enjoy before heading further along the river in the shade of the trees. The path is on the edge of the Sherborne Estate (as featured in several series of Springwatch) and has plenty of wildlife to look out for.

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Whilst out walking in Oxfordshire’s beautiful countryside, why not pick some creamy elderflowers on your way home and make up some delicious elderflower cordial. Its so easy to make and will taste so much better than shop bought.

Drizzle it over ice-cream, add to sparkling water or make a refreshing cocktail with sparkling wine. Or try my favourite - put a generous splash into an ice filled Gin and Tonic and stir. What a way to finish the day after a long walk. Enjoy!

Elderflowers are in flower at the moment and will be around for the next 7 to 10 days. Click onto the Woodland Trust website to find out more about identifying elderflower and some recipes. Have fun!

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Its going to be beautifully warm and sunny this weekend so we thought a short easy walk around the delightful ‘Picture Postcard’ Cotswold village of Great Tew and its wonderful park would be just the ticket!

The walk starts at the village car park and travels south and then east along the main foootpaths around Great Tew Park. On the route look out for St Michaels and All Angels Church which is aproached through an unusual gateway, along a path flanked by ha-has.

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This delightful walk has it all, an extremely pretty village to visit, a meander along a beautiful river, a wonderful church to see, a stroll through rolling countryside and a fascinating ruined manor house to explore.

The walk starts in the stunning village of Minster Lovell, once famous for its rushes and river crayfish. It has pretty thatched cottages, a great pub/hotel (The Old Swan and Minster Mill) and a beautiful church - St Kenelm (which dates back to 1450). The route takes you past the ruins of Minster Hall a fascinating ruined 15th century manor house in a very romantic location by the side of the River Windrush where you could stop and have a pic-nic.

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Yesterday we revisited the delightful Buscot to Kelmscott walk which starts at the attractive little Thames-side village of Buscot where you can park your car at the National Trust car park in the village. (Please note this walk may be busy at the weekend).

This 4.5 mile walk takes you to Buscot Lock on the River Thames where on a fine day you could stop for a picnic beside the river. From here the walk takes you past the weir, over the lock gate and along the Thames Path where you will see a Second World War bunker. The walk continues to Kelmscott, a beautiful remote rural village which was once home to the well known British textile designer William Morris from 1871 until 1896. Morris called this his ‘heaven on earth’ and visitors today can still experience the beauty and seclusion that inspired many of Morris’s most important designs as well as his influences for conservation.

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