Ramble to Reading Part 1: Radley to Didcot, 11 miles, moderate

Calendar
Register
When:
March 13, 2022 @ 10:40 am
2022-03-13T10:40:00+00:00
2022-03-13T10:55:00+00:00
Where:
Radley station
Radley
Radley, Abingdon OX14 3BJ
UK
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Grant A
Walk
Booking Required Limited Spaces (20) Linear moderate public transport Walk

PLEASE NOTE THE SLIGHT CHANGE TO THE START TIME OF THIS WALK, DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE TRAIN TIMETABLE.

This 11 mile linear walk from Radley Station to Didcot Station follows the old railway line to Abingdon-on-Thames before picking up the Thames Path to Sutton Courtney to stop at the George Pub for a drink. After the drink stop we will make our way towards Didcot via the village of Appleford-on-Thames.


Walk details

Starting at Radley Station we head down towards Radley Lakes where we will pick up the route of the old branch line into Abingdon-on-Thames. Unfortunately, no trains are passing along here since the line closed to passengers in 1963, a Waitrose has since been built on the site of the old station.

After taking in the scenery of Abingdon-on-Thames (first settled in 676), we will quickly pass the town by making our way along the Thames path. We will take a moment to make a small diversion over Culham Old Bridge, which saw a skirmish in the English Civil War before rejoining the Thames Path.

We then head along Culham Cut where we will have Lunch, after Lunch we will heard towards Sutton Courtney passing over the Culham Hydropower Scheme, we then arrive at the George Pub in Sutton Courtney for a drink stop.

After the drink stop we then leave the village of Sutton Courtney and head towards Appleford-on-Thames (NB: while there is a train station here, there are NO trains on Sundays so it not possible to shorten the walk). After passing through the village, we head more or less straight towards Didcot to conclude our walk.

Note this is a very flat walk, but is graded as Moderate due to the distance. I intend to lead this at an intermediate pace with fewer breaks but still suitable for most walkers. (Expect 2.5–3 mph.)

Travel details

By public transport

If you are coming from Oxford (20mins) or Abingdon (15mins) then you can take the No. 35 bus. GWR, Didcot Parkway to Radley, 10:29 AM – 10:35 AM or GWR, Reading to Radley, 10:11 AM – 10:35 AM.

By car

You can either Park at Radley Station Car Park (APCOA – 2188 – £2.50 for the Day), or if you are lucky there are 5 car parking spaces just outside the station (on Foxborough Road). As this walk is linear you can then get the return train from Didcot to Radley or alternatively you can Park at Didcot (APCOA – 2120 – £4.50 for the Day) and get the train to the start of the walk at Radley (Train is Didcot Parkway to Radley, 10:29 AM – 10:35 AM).

Notes

  • If you or someone else from your household has COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend.
  • Please be considerate to other path users and step aside to let people past – and don’t forget to say ‘hi’ or ‘thanks’!
  • Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
  • It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
  • If it’s a rainy day, please bring waterproofs.
  • Please feel free to contact the leader with queries about the walk, or if you are delayed on the day.

Please press the green 🎟 Register button at the top to go to the Google form to book your place on this walk. This may simply appear as a green ticket icon 🎟.