Local walks over the long vacation ran sporadically, and were circulated via email and Facebook during the week. The following walks took place.
- Cotswolds Water Park – Saturday 29th June
- The Ramblers Jubilee Circular – Saturday 6th June
- Moreton in Marsh Circular – Saturday 13th July
- Abingdon and Dorchester, with a chance of Shotover – Sunday 21st July
- The Shakespearean Way to Blenheim – Sunday 28th July
- The Oxfordshire Way – Sunday 4th August
- Henley to Oxford – Saturday 10th August
- CS Lewis and Shotover – Sunday 11th August
- The Wytham Woods – Sunday 25th August
- The Rollright Stones – Sunday 1st September
- The Clumps of Wittenham (Joint with OxRSS) – Sunday 8th September
- Pangbourne to Goring & Streatly – Sunday 14th September
- Bibury Circular – Saturday 21st September
- Islip and Otmoor – Sunday 6th October
Cotswolds Water Park
Saturday 29th June
Given the hot weather we will be going to Cotworlds water park for a walk and also a swim if people want to. We will be meeting at the train station at 8:15 to get the 8:36 train to Kemble. At Kemble we will then follow the thames path to neigh bridge country park. We will then do three village walk in the morning til around 14:00 and then will have a few hours in the area by the lake beach to have a swim before walking back along the thames path to Kemble.
Total distance covered will be 14 miles. We catch the 17:50 train back to Oxford and will be in Oxford at 18:45.
Please bring plenty of water, suncream, lunch, a towel and swim stuff (if you want to swim) and some cash for an ice cream etc (if you want).
| Meet: | Oxford Railway Station | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 8:15 for the 8:36 train to Kemble | |
| Return: | Approx 18:45 | |
| Distance: | Approx 23km (14 mi) | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Isabel Creed (isabel.creed“at”seh.ox.ac.uk) |
The Ramblers Jubilee Circular
Saturday 6th June
I also be doing a walk on Saturday we will be doing the jubilee circular and then will wander up to port meadow afterward to the trout for a drink and possibility a dip in port meadow depending on how hot we all few. On Saturday we will meet at 9:00 at Chris church. Route for the jubilee walk. I expect we will finish of the walk on Saturday around 4/5.
| Meet: | Christ Church | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 09:00 | |
| Return: | Approx 4-5PM | |
| Distance: | Approx 24km (16mi) | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Isabel Creed (isabel.creed“at”seh.ox.ac.uk) |
Moreton-in-Marsh Circular
Saturday 13th July
This week we will venture out of Oxfordshire to explore the north Cotswolds, starting at the market town Moreton-in-Marsh. Upon following the Diamond way through the countryside, after passing through several small villages we will reach Chipping Campden. We will then return along (a small section of) the historic Monarch’s way, and at the end there will be an option to stop at a pub for a drink.
Since this walk will be a bit longer and hillier than usual (particularly near the end), there will also be an option to stop at Chipping Campden and take a bus back to Moreton-in-Marsh.
As usual please bring a packed lunch, plenty of water (around 2L), sunscreen and rainproof gear. Everyone is welcome, but it would be helpful if you could drop me an email or message if you’re coming; particularly if you intend on taking the bus back at Chipping Campden.
| Meet: | Oxford Railway Station (entrance area) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 9:05AM for the 9:24AM train to Moreton-in-Marsh (arriving at 10AM) | |
| Return: | Approx 6:30PM | |
| Distance: | 28km (17mi) with short option of 16km (10mi) | |
| Cost: | £7.25 return with railcard/groupsave (£11 without) (+£4 for bus from Chipping Campden) | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Chris Irving (christopher.irving“at”keble.ox.ac.uk) |
Abingdon and Dorchester, with a chance of Shotover
Sunday 21st July
This week we will explore bits and pieces of south Oxfordshire, starting
in Abingdon and following the river downstream. Passing through a quiet
and rural section of the Thames path, we will head to the old Roman town
Dorchester. At this point there will be an option to stop take a bus
back, as there are hourly buses back to Oxford from the Dorchester
bypass bus stop (the X40 River Rapids, each departing at xx:10). The
other option is to continue walking back to Oxford, passing through
several small villages along the Greenbelt way and returning via
Shotover hill.
Everyone is welcome to join and there is no sign-up, but it will be
helpful if you can drop me an email/message if you’re coming. Please
bring a packed lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen and rainproof gear.
| Meet: | St. Aldates Stop H1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 9:10AM for the 9:20AM bus to Abingdon (City X13, 9:40AM arrival) | |
| Return: | ETA at Dorchester is approx 2PM, full route approx 7PM. | |
| Distance: | 15km (9mi) for return at Dorchester, 36km (22mi) for full route | |
| Cost: | £3.30 for single to Abingdon + optional £3.50 to return from Dorchester (buses accept cash or contactless) | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Chris Irving (christopher.irving“at”keble.ox.ac.uk) |
The Shakespearean way to Blenheim
Sunday 28th July
Bit of a late posting but worry not; there will be a local walk this
weekend! Due to weather and the short notice this walk will happen on
Sunday, and it’ll be a nice and simple walk to Woodstock. Starting from
the central Oxford we will follow Shakespeare’s way to Woodstock, which
takes us through canal paths, fields, small villages, etc; the usual
things you might expect to find in the English countryside. At Woodstock
we can stop for tea/coffee and take a bus back, but there will also be
an option to walk through the public footpaths of Blenheim palace if
there is interest.
Everyone is welcome, and as usual please bring a packed lunch, plenty of
water, sunscreen and rainproof gear.
| Meet: | In front of the Ashmolean | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 11AM (setting off at 11:15) | |
| Return: | Approx 4PM, plus around 2 hours for extension | |
| Distance: | Approx 16km to Woodstock, extension length will be variable | |
| Cost: | £3.30 for bus back from Woodstock | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Chris Irving (christopher.irving“at”keble.ox.ac.uk) |
The Oxfordshire Way
Sunday 4th August
The local walk this week is on Saturday and is going to be a walk along Oxfordshire way from Henley to Islip (32km) or to Tettworth (22km). We will meet at 8:30 by West gate bus stop E3 to get the bus at 8:52 to Henley. Please bring water, lunch and some snacks for the walk. We will stop at a pub at around half way for a drink. As it out of term time can you let me know either via facebook by posting below or email at isabel.creed@seh.ox.ac.uk if you like to come
| Meet: | Westgate Bus Stop E3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 8:30 for 8:52 bus to Henley | |
| Distance: | 22km to Tettworth, 32km to Islip | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Isabel Creed (isabel.creed“at”seh.ox.ac.uk) |
Henley to Oxford
Saturday 10th August
Starting at Henley, we will pass through the southern Chiltern area and head towards Oxford. Not sure how far we will get, but we will pass by several bus stops along the way to return also.
| Meet: | St Aldates Stop H3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 7:50AM for the 8:08 X38 bus to Henley-on-Thames (arrives 9:36) | |
| Return: | Approx 3PM to Wallingford, 5PM to Dorchester, 9PM to Oxford. | |
| Distance: | Approx 23km to Wallingford, 33km to Dorchester, 50km to Oxford | |
| Cost: | £4.20 for a single to Henley, £6 for return (can be used from Wallingford and Dorchester) | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Chris Irving (christopher.irving“at”keble.ox.ac.uk) |
CS Lewis and Shotover
Sunday 11th August
On Sunday we will have a more relaxed walk exploring various footpaths around north Oxford. Starting from the city centre we will walk through various footpaths through Headington to CS Lewis Nature Reserve. After stopping for lunch at Shotover hill, we will walk through the Shotover country park and return to Oxford via South Park.
| Meet: | In front of the Exam Schools on High Street | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 11AM | |
| Return: | Approx 3-4PM | |
| Distance: | Approx 15km | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Chris Irving (christopher.irving“at”keble.ox.ac.uk) |
The Wytham Woods
Sunday, 25th of August
The Wytham Woods is a semi-natural woodland located in the outskirts of Oxford, and has been owned by the University for environmental research since 1943. In addition to housing hundreds of species of plants and insects, the woods contains many sprawling footpaths which makes for an excellent place to walk.
Visiting the woods normally requires a permit (which you can apply for free at [1]), but this Sunday the woodland administrator has kindly agreed to allow us to visit the woods in this local walk. Meeting at the southern entrance of Port Meadow, we will walk up to and explore the woods. At the end we will stop by a nearby pub, before returning to Oxford.
Since the walk is a bit longer than usual, it will also be possible to meet at Whytham by the car park. One can park their bike or car there, and there are also regular buses to Wolvercote (see [2] for travel information). To ensure we don’t miss you, it will be useful if you could email/message me if you intend to do this.
| Meet: | At the end of Walton Well Road, by the entrance to Port Meadow | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 10AM (or alternatively 11AM by the car park in Whytham) | |
| Return: | Approx 5PM | |
| Distance: | 22km (Alternative approx 14km) | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Chris Irving (christopher.irving“at”keble.ox.ac.uk) |
[1] www.wytham.ox.ac.uk/permit
[2] www.wytham.ox.ac.uk/access
The Rollright Stones
Sunday 1st of September
This week we will visit the Cotswolds for a circular walk starting at Chipping Norton. After passing by several neighbouring villages we will visit the Rollright Stones, which are three stone structures dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze ages. From here we will return to Chipping Norton, and stop for a drink before taking the bus back. Everyone is welcome as usual, and please bring a packed lunch, plenty of water, rainproofs and sunscreen.
| Meet: | Gloucester Green Bus Station, Bay 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 9:45 for the 9:55 S3 Gold to Chipping Norton | |
| Return: | Approx 6PM | |
| Distance: | 20km | |
| Cost: | £6.80 for return bus (cash or contactless) | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Chris Irving (christopher.irving“at”keble.ox.ac.uk) |
The Clumps of Wittenham (joint with OxRSS)
Sunday 8th September
This week we will join up with the Research Staff Society for a joint walk to the Wittenham Clumps. These are a pair of grassy hills alongside the Thames, which are known for their iconic ‘clumps’ of Beech trees on the respective hilltops. In addition to providing excellent views of the surrounding area, being an Iron Age fort the hills are also rich with history.
In this relaxed joint walk we will take a bus to the old Roman town Dorchester, and cross the Thames to visit the clumps. After exploring the hilltop and the neighbouring woods, we will walks to the neighbouring village Benson for a break at the Waterfront café. From here it is possible to either take a bus back, or to walk back to Dorchester via public footpaths.
As usual everyone is welcome; please bring a packed lunch, plenty of water, rainproofs, sunscreen and optionally some change for the café stop.
| Meet: | St. Aldates Stop H3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 10:30 for the 10:45 X40 bus to Dorchester bypass (arrives 11:02) | |
| Return: | Approx 3-5PM depending on return point | |
| Distance: | 10km to Benson, 17km to Dorchester | |
| Cost: | £3.5 for return to Dorchester (£4 if returning from Benson) | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Chris Irving (christopher.irving“at”keble.ox.ac.uk) |
Pangbourne to Goring & Streatly
Sunday 14th September
“Pangbourne is situated 6 miles (10 km) west of Reading, its nearest town is Whitchurch-on-Thames. The River Pang flows through the centre of Pangbourne village before joining the Thames between Whitchurch Lock and Whitchurch bridge. Its water voles are thought to have inspired author Kenneth Grahame’s character Ratty and his book The Wind in the Willows.”
“Goring is on the left bank of the River Thames, in the Goring Gap which separates the Berkshire Downsand the Chiltern Hills. The village is about 8 miles (13 km) north-west of Reading and 16 miles (26 km) south of Oxford. Immediately across the river is the Berkshire village of Streatley, and the two are often considered as twin villages, linked by Goring and Streatley Bridge and its adjacent lock and weir. The Thames Path, Icknield Way and the Ridgeway cross the Thames at Goring.” —wikipedia
In this relaxed walk we will take a train to Pangbourne, and pass by farms for alpaca or llama. Then we will walk along the Thames Path to Goring and Streatly, and walk around these areas. Then you can take the train back to Oxford from Goring.
As usual everyone is welcome; please bring a packed lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen and optionally some change for the café stop.
| Meet: | At Pangbourne train station (The train from oxford station to Pangbourne departs at 10:07am, arrive Pangbourne at 10:47am). It would be better if you could email me before Saturday, if you are interested to join this walk. | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 10:50AM | |
| Return: | Approx 5PM | |
| Distance: | Approx 15km | |
| Cost: | £5.75 for off peak day return ticket with network card (or get a group discount) | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Emily Huizhi (emilyok17“at”gmail.com) |
Bibury Circular
Saturday 21st September
This weekend local walk will go to Bibury, one of the most beautiful village around the country, just before the raining cloudy week starts : )
8:45am Saturday meet at St Giles (Stop C5) , take bus 853 at 9am to Market Place (the direction of Cheltenham), then take bus 855 to Bibury. We will arrive Bibury at 10:35am. Then we will have a circular walk about 15K around Bibury. Take your nice camera, comfortable shoes, sun cream, packed food. Everyone is welcome as usual.
Contact leader: Emily (Huizhi) emilyok17 “at” gmail.com It would be great, if you let me know by Friday.
Return options:
- option 1: Return at 3:17pm from Bibury, take bus 855 and 853. Need to walk faster.
- option 2: Return at 5:47pm from Bibury, take bus 855 and transit in Moreton-In-Marsh Station. Probably More expensive.
Bibury is a village and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It is on both banks of the River Coln which rises in the same (Cotswold) District and which is a Thames tributary. The village is centred 6 1⁄2 miles (10 km) northeast of Cirencester. Arlington Row here is a nationally notable architectural conservation area depicted on the inside cover of all United Kingdom passports. It is a major destination for tourists visiting the traditional rural villages, tea houses and many historic buildings of the Cotswold District; it is one of six places in the country featured in Mini-Europe, Brussels.
| Meet: | St Giles Bus Stop (Stop C5) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: | 08:45 for the 09:00AM bus (853) | |
| Distance: | Approx 15km | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Leader: | Emily Huizhi (emilyok17“at”gmail.com) |
Islip and Otmoor
Sunday 8th October
For a final vacation local walk before term starts, we will visit the historic village Islip for a relaxed circular passing by Otmoor. Otmoor is a wetland nature reserve best known for housing a variety of different birds, of which a few we will hopefully be able to spot. From there we will return to Islip following the Oxfordshire way, and stop by the pub for a drink before heading back.As usual everyone is welcome, especially newcomers and first-timers. Please bring a packed lunch, plenty of water, rainproofs and importantly a pair of waterproof shoes as it likely will be muddy. Optionally a pair of binoculars is recommended for a bit of bird watching (but we will mostly be walking :)).
| Date: | Sunday, 6th October | |
|---|---|---|
| Meet: | Oxford Railway Station | |
| Time: | 10:50AM for the 11:09AM train to Islip (please arrive on time to buy tickets, as the station can be crowded) | |
| Return: | Approx 5PM | |
| Distance: | Approx 17km | |
| Lunch: | Packed | |
| Cost: | £2.10 for off-peak return to Islip with Railcard/Groupsave (£3.20 without) | |
| Lead by: | Chris Irving (christopher.irving“at”keble.ox.ac.uk) |