Oxfordshire Way Voyage Tips and guide

The Oxfordshire Way is a 68 mi (109 km) long-distance footpath in Oxfordshire, with short sections in Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.

The Oxfordshire Way is a signposted walking route, using existing rights of way, largely (as the name suggests) in the county of Oxfordshire. It runs in an arc to the north of Oxford, from Bourton-on-the-Water in the west to Henley-on-Thames in the southeast, connecting the Cotswolds and the Chilterns. It connects with the Heart of England Way at Bourton and the Thames Path at Henley. It is 68 miles long and is usually walked in 4 to 6 days from west to east.

Although relatively flat and unspectacular, the Way passes through some pretty villages and varied and attractive countryside. Landscapes include honey-coloured Cotswold villages, the fine parkland of Blenheim Palace, the Oxford Canal, quiet hamlets on the Oxford Plain and the chalk-and-flint woodlands of the Chilterns.

Accommodation is mainly in small villages and towns, where the choice may be limited, particularly between Islip and Watlington, so you are advised to book ahead. Oxfordshire is relatively flat, so fitness is not a major issue, but you should possess the necessary equipment (walking boots or shoes, waterproof clothing, maps, rucksack, etc.). Although the route is signposted, maps are essential to avoid getting lost.

The following Ordnance Survey maps may be used:

• OS Explorer 45: The Cotswolds - Covers Bourton to Ascott-under-Wychwood section (£8.99).
• OS Explorer 191: Banbury, Bicester & Chipping Norton - Brief section between Ascott-under-Wychwood and Charlbury; not essential (£8.99).
• OS Explorer 180: Oxford, Witney & Woodstock - Ascott-under-Wychwood to Tetsworth section (£8.99).
• OS Explorer 171: Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford - Tetsworth to Henley (£8.99).

Bourton-on-the-Water can be reached by bus from Moreton-in-Marsh (25 min) and Cheltenham (50 min) via Pulhams 801 service. Henley-on-Thames has links to Reading and London Paddington by train, and to Reading, High Wycombe and Maidenhead by bus.

There is no direct public transport from Oxford to either end of the Oxfordshire Way, so you’ll need to change at least once. The best option for Bourton is to take a train to Moreton-in-Marsh (about 35 minutes) and continue by bus to Bourton (around 25 minutes). For Henley, take the train and change at Twyford, with a total journey time of about 90 minutes. Bourton is 30 miles from Oxford by road, while Henley is 23 miles away. Rail stations along the route include Ascott-under-Wychwood, Charlbury, Tackley (near Kirtlington), and Islip, all with fast and direct trains to Oxford. With careful planning, it’s possible to stay in Oxford each night and travel to and from the trailheads by public transport.

Map of Oxfordshire Way

The route passes through the following places (split into six suggested day-long sections):

The Oxfordshire Way begins at 51.886-1.7591MISSING WIKILINK Bourton‑on‑the‑Water, a popular Cotswold village laced with footbridges over the River Windrush. Heading east, the path climbs gently out of the valley past meadows and dry-stone walls to 51.894-1.7282 Wyck Rissington , a quiet hamlet with a green and church once served by Gustav Holst. Continue through open countryside to 51.9031-1.64683 Bledington , known for its traditional village green and the well-regarded King’s Head Inn. The trail then winds through farmland and light woodland to 51.881111-1.6133334 Bruern Abbey, once a Cistercian monastery and now home to a private school, before reaching 51.86-1.5965MISSING WIKILINK Shipton‑under‑Wychwood, nestled in the Evenlode Valley with its stone cottages and historic church.

Leaving 51.86-1.5966MISSING WIKILINK Shipton‑under‑Wychwood, the trail soon reaches 51.872-1.5657 Ascott‑under‑Wychwood , a small village once rocked by the 1873 “Ascott Martyrs” incident. The route then follows the gentle curves of the Evenlode River through quiet countryside to 51.872-1.4828 Charlbury , a lively market town with rail connections and a rich Quaker history. After skirting Cornbury Park, the trail heads southeast, dipping in and out of woodland before crossing the River Glyme near 51.851-1.4299 Stonesfield , a village noted for its slate quarries. A final stretch through fields and copses leads into 51.845-1.35410MISSING WIKILINK Woodstock, home to Blenheim Palace and a good range of amenities for walkers.

From 51.845-1.35411MISSING WIKILINK Woodstock, the Oxfordshire Way skirts the edge of Blenheim Park before joining quiet tracks through arable fields and woodland. The route crosses the Oxford Canal near 51.873056-1.27512 Kirtlington , a village with a fine manor house and historic pub. It then continues across undulating farmland, passing near RAF Weston-on-the-Green, to reach the small village of 51.864-1.22613 Weston‑on‑the‑Green . The final stretch follows lanes and field paths southeast into 51.823-1.23614 Islip , birthplace of Edward the Confessor and perched above the River Ray.

Leaving 51.823-1.23615 Islip , the trail crosses open fields before ascending slightly to 51.814-1.21316 Noke , a small village on the edge of Otmoor with distant views over the wetlands. The path continues through woodland and pastures to 51.797-1.18317 Beckley , perched on a ridge and offering a glimpse of Oxford’s spires on clear days. Descending eastward, the trail meanders through farmland to reach the peaceful village of 51.753-1.09118 Waterperry , known for its ornamental gardens and historic church. A short distance on lies 51.755-1.07219 Waterstock , a quiet hamlet with manor house and riverside meadows. The day ends at 51.742-1.06320 Tiddington , a modest village just west of the River Thame.

From 51.742-1.06321 Tiddington , the Oxfordshire Way heads southeast across rolling farmland to the secluded 51.7366-1.035521 Rycote Chapel, a rare surviving Tudor chapel tucked among trees. Continuing through open countryside, the route reaches 51.71-1.00922 Tetsworth , a village straddling the old Oxford–London coaching road. The path then climbs gently toward 51.692-0.99523 Adwell , a tiny estate village surrounded by parkland, before descending into 51.66-1.00724 Pyrton , where a quiet churchyard and manor set a tranquil scene. The stage ends in 51.645-1.00825 Watlington , nestled at the foot of the Chilterns and the smallest town in Oxfordshire.

From 51.645-1.00826 Watlington , the Oxfordshire Way climbs into the wooded slopes of the Chiltern Hills, reaching 51.634-0.9727 Christmas Common , a hamlet high on the escarpment with views over the Thames Valley. The route follows wooded bridleways and sunken lanes to 51.604-0.95228 Pishill , then skirts beechwoods and open commons to reach the clustered houses of 51.58-0.9629 Maidensgrove . A little further on, the trail passes 51.568848-0.947612 Little Bix Bottom Farmhouse, an old brick farmhouse in a secluded valley, then descends past chalk grassland into 51.564-0.93730 Middle Assendon , nestled in a narrow valley. The final stretch leads through fields and hedgerows into 51.536111-0.90277831MISSING WIKILINK Henley‑on‑Thames, a bustling riverside town famed for its regatta and elegant Georgian architecture.

The Oxfordshire Way is generally safe, but a few countryside quirks are worth noting. The local livestock, particularly cows, may stare at you like you owe them money, so give them space, and keep dogs on leads unless you're in the mood for an impromptu sprint. The weather can shift from pastoral bliss to soggy despair in minutes, so carry waterproofs. Waymarkers occasionally vanish like a plot twist, so bring a map, a charged phone, or a strong sense of direction, preferably all three. Finally, don’t pin all your hopes on that charming country pub appearing at the perfect moment, as opening hours can be as unpredictable as the footpaths, and nothing stings quite like arriving at a locked door with dreams of a pint and a pie.

The Oxfordshire Way connects with several other long-distance paths and offers onward travel options:

• At Bourton-on-the-Water, connect with the Cotswold Way or explore local circuits in the North Cotswolds, including the Heart of England Way.
• At Islip, join the Oxford Green Belt Way for a circular route around the city of Oxford.
• At Henley-on-Thames, the trail links with the Thames Path National Trail, which follows the River Thames west to its source or east to London.
• Nearby, the Ridgeway National Trail can be accessed via local trails and lanes heading south from the Watlington or Henley area.

Public transport is available in several trail towns, including Oxford, Charlbury, and Henley-on-Thames, allowing easy return or continuation to other parts of southern England.