The walk will start at 10:15am, shortly after the arrival of the 9:22am from Reading. The walk leader will be on the train, so if the train is delayed, the start of the walk will be too.
This walk is in an area new to the group, even though it’s less than an hour by train from Reading. We will explore the North Oxfordshire countryside between Charlbury and Hanborough. I have graded this walk moderate-challenging, due to the distance.
Starting from the small town of Charlbury, with its pretty stone cottages, we’ll walk along the edge of Cornbury Park and pass the site of a Roman Villa. We then join the Oxfordshire Way, which we follow to Stonesfield, where depending on time, there is the possibility of a pub stop.
After leaving Stonesfield, we’ll rejoin the Oxfordshire Way – this section is also the course of a Roman Road. We’ll enter the Great Park of the Blenheim Estate via the Wychwood Way. Following the Wychwood Way, we’ll be greeted with views of Blenheim Palace – birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. We’ll follow the Wychwood Way through the park, passing the Column of Victory and Fair Rosamunds Well We will pause for a few moments to enjoy the views of the palace, before continuing through the park.
After leaving the park, we’ll make our way to Long Hanborough. Possible pub stop at the end of the walk.
Note: This is a linear walk. Buy return to Charlbury, which is within the Network Card zone.
Sat Nav: OX7 3HH or 51.8725 -1.4894
Grid Ref: SP352194