Downloadable Walks in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds

With more than 500 miles of public footpaths winding their way through gently undulating hills and tree lined valleys, the Oxfordshire Cotswolds is perfect walking country.

The Glyme Valley Way

River Glyme Walk
A new 16 mile (26km) walk along the River Glyme between Chipping Norton and Woodstock, developed by BBC Oxford and Oxfordshire County Council
Download the walk (pdf 545k)

Cotswold Walks

A series of walks from the Cotswolds Conservation Board, all designed to allow people to make their way to the starting point by public transport.

Kingham Station Short Circular (pdf 120k)
A 3.5 mile (6km) walk starting from Kingham railway station
Kingham Station Circular (pdf 161k)
A longer circular walk, 9 miles (15km), starting from Kingham railway station
Great Barrington - Burford (pdf 136k)
A 5 mile (8km) walk through a superb stretch of the Windrush Valley between the Barringtons and Burford
Kingham - Chipping Norton (pdf 144k)
Options for a longer walk 9 miles (15km) or shorter 6 miles (10km)
Kingham - Churchill (pdf 99k)
A 5 mile (8km) walk between Kingham and Chipping Norton, via Churchill
Villages of the Windrush Valley (pdf 163k)
A Cotswold classic, this linear walk - 4 miles (6.5km) - goes from Asthall to Burford via the beautiful churches at Swinbrook and Widford (or the slightly longer alternative 5.5 miles/8.8 km via Swinbrook and Fulbrook).
Mills and Meadows (pdf 139k)
This walk crosses the meadow lands between Kingham and Chipping Norton 5.5 miles (9km)
Step into the Cotswolds: Walk 1 (pdf 454k)
An easy circular walk passing from Chipping Norton to Over Norton and back 2.5 miles (4km)
Step into the Cotswolds: Walk 2 (pdf 869k)
A walk of 6.5 miles (10km) across gently undulating countryside from the Chipping Norton to the villages of Salford and Cornwell and back
Step into the Cotswolds: Walk 3 (pdf 964k)
A walk of 6.5 miles (10km) - with two optional extensions - across undulating countryside between Stonesfield and Combe
Step into the Cotswolds: Walk 4 (pdf 937k)
A walk of 6/8 miles (10/13km) across gently undulating countryside between Milton-under-Wychwood and Fifield
Step into the Cotswolds: Walk 5 (pdf 777k)
A short circular walk of 1.75miles (2.8km) starting and finishing in the village of Ramsden - mainly gentle and undulating.
Step into the Cotswolds: Walk 6 (pdf 722k)
A short circular walk of 2 miles (3.2km) starting and finishing in the centre of Finstock. Mainly gentle and undulating but with stony, uneven ground in places

Oxfordshire County Council Walks

The walks listed below come from a series of circular walks around Oxfordshire produced by Oxfordshire County Council's Countryside Service. They are also maintain a long distance walk, The Oxfordshire Way, which runs from Bourton on the Water to Henley on Thames.

Charlbury Circular Walks
Two very different walks in the Cotswolds countryside that start from Charlbury's old town centre. Route 1 (pdf 166k) 8 mile walk that takes in the only Public Right of Way through the ancient Wychwood Forest within Cornbury Park. Route 2 (pdf 190k) 4 mile walk that runs to the north-west of Charlbury, following the pretty Evenlode valley and uses a section of the Oxfordshire Way. Charlbury Points of Interest (pdf 271k)
Eynsham Circular Walks
Three circular walks from Eynsham exploring the river and countryside around the pretty village of Eynsham: Route 1 (pdf 182k) 4 miles going down to the Thames at Pinkhill Lock and round to Swinford Toll Bridge - can be wet and is best enjoyed between May and October; Route 2 (pdf 194k) 8 mile walk that passes the Trout Inn at Godstow, overlooking the river and back across pretty meadows to rejoin the Thames; Route 3 (172k) 6 miles walk heads away for the river to South Leigh along a disused railway line and flat open countryside and offers the walker a splendid variation from the other three walks in wildlife and viewpoints. Eynsham Points of Interest (pdf 374k)
The River Windrush Walk
Two circular walks along the river Windrush between Witney and Burford: Route 1 (pdf 186k) 5 mile walk that passes the tiny 13th century Church of St Oswald's, which stands alone on the hillside overlooking the river. Route 2 (pdf 213k) 3.5 or 5 mile walk that visits the ruin of Minster Lovell Hall. Windrush Walks Points of Interest (pdf 295k)

Wychwood Circular Walks
A series of Oxfordshire County Council circular walks that link in with the Wychwood Way, a 37 mile route around the heart of the former Royal hunting forest of Wychwood.

North Leigh - East End (pdf 233k) A walk of four miles taking in the villages of North Leigh and East End. Highlights include rolling farmland, small copses and woodland areas. You may also wish to visit the local North Leigh Roman Villa.
North Leigh – Wilcote (pdf 582k) A walk of five miles taking in the villages of North Leigh and Wilcote. Highlights include rolling farmland, historic trackways, ancient woodland and a historic well.
Leafield (pdf 570k) A walk of five and a half miles around the village of Leafield, part following the line of the Roman road of Akeman Street. Other highlights include ancient woodland, green lanes and views to distant hills. This route is stile free.
Woodstock – Wootton (pdf 1M) A walk of seven and a half miles passing through Woodstock and alongside the village of Wootton. Highlights include historic parkland, river valleys, and ancient trackways. This route is stile free.

Walks on Wheels

The Cotswolds Conservation Board have developed a series of short routes throughout the Cotswolds that can be explored by users of wheelchairs, power scooters and children's buggies - Walks on Wheels. Oxfordshire County Council and others have also produced a number of short walks that should prove accessible to most users:

Walks on Wheels 4 - Rollright Stones (pdf 107k) Two very short walks on grass round the prehistoric Rollright Stones with wide views across the surrounding countryside. Suitable for all wheels.
Walks on Wheels 8 - Charlbury (pdf 74k) Very short family walk on mown grass leading to a playground.
Witney Lakes Short Walk (pdf 836k) A short easy 1.2mile walk
Witney Meadows Short Walk (pdf 627k) A short 0.7mile walk
Lechade and the River Thames (pdf 129k) A short 1.2 mile walk on a lovely rural stretch of the young River Thames with fine views and the opportunity to visit St John’s Lock, the first lock on the river. Avoid winter when flooding is possible.

Other Downloads & Links

Bampton Footpaths (pdf 1.62Mb
A leaflet produced by Bampton Environmental Watch Group showing footpaths around the town including a circular walk from the town
Burford Visitor Guide (pdf 887k)
As well as a brief history of the town, the guide includes a map marking many of the most interesting buildings
Charlbury Visitor Guide (pdf 388k)
The guide includes a map of the town marking buildings of interest - making a pleasant and interesting walk
Chipping Norton Guide (pdf 1.17Mb)
Includes a map of the town centre, an introduction to the town and some of its more interesting buildings as well as a 'useful information' section
Chipping Norton Murder Walk (pdf 7.17Mb)
One of a series of walks around various Cotswold towns from The Cotswold History Blog focusing on the criminal history and dark deeds in Chipping Norton's past
Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve (pdf 1.4Mb)
A large (250 hectare) nature reserve with fields and pastures along the banks of the Thames - a refuge for wading birds and with acclaimed wild flower meadows. Please note: due to the sensitive nature of the site, walkers must keep to the public rights of way and dogs must be kept on short leads
Churches Trail (pdf 550k)
6 or 9 mile circular walk passing through The Wychwoods (Ascott, Shipton and Milton) and then returning via Fifield, Bruern and Lyneham. A scenic walk linked by the village churches it passes
Eynsham Unlocked (pdf 571k)
A walk around the town of Eynsham looking at some of the buildings and streets of interest
Foxholes Nature Reserve (pdf 742k)
Again not strictly a walk but the guide includes a map of the reserve. Though well worth visiting all year round Foxholes is best known for its spectacular springtime bluebell displays
Heaven on Earth in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds (external link)
An easy 5 mile walk (8km) starting at Radcot exploring the countryside loved by William Morris , including a stretch along the banks of the River Thames, with the chance to visit Morris's former residence at Kelmscott Manor.
Windrush Path (Witney to Hardwick) (pdf 1.36Mb)
The Windrush Path is a new route being created by the Lower Windrush Valley Project that ultimately aims to provide a path from Witney through the valley to link up with the Thames Path at Newbridge. This section, between Witney and Hardwick, follows the attractive, meandering River Windrush for much of its length
Windrush Path (Standlake to Newbridge) (pdf 980k)
This 2 mile (3km) section of the Windrush Path follows the meandering river through the extensive flood meadows of the Upper Thames Valley to the lakes at Standlake. Along the footpath look out for the series of striking mosaic sculptures created by the community of Standlake. There is also a Mosaic Trail (pdf 2.32Mb) booklet that explains the art work along this trail.
Witney Lake & Meadows (pdf 1.23Mb) - a guide to the 30 hectare Country Park on the doorstep of the historic market town of Witney
Witney Wool & Blanket Trail (pdf 884k)
A 2.5 mile trail (4km) around Witney, looking at some of the buildings and sites connected with its once famous wool trade
Woodstock Walk (pdf 377k)
A short 1.1 mile walk (1.7km) around the town, looking at some of the more interesting and historic buildings