Chawat two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

We walked from Chalgrove to Watlington on a very hot summer's day (like most days have been in July and August 2026!). There was a reasonable amount of shade that made it an enjoyable walk despite the temperatures.
Navigation was pretty straightforward, the only issue being crossing the large field after Irton House (at the end of Warpsgrove Lane, Chalgrove) where there was no obvious path to the adjoining solar farm. The field (presumably used for growing wheat or a similar crop) had recently been harvested, so it was straightforward to walk through the stubble, though it might be more difficult at other times of the year.
We stopped for much-needed refreshments at the Chequers Inn on the outskirts of Watlington, and would recommend this establishment.
Overall, this is a good addition to the Slow Ways network.

Chalgrove to Watlington 2 (Chawat 2) review.

An enjoyable Oxfordshire Slow Way with a moderate amount of lane walking. A few more signposts would have been handy, but otherwise a straightforward route to navigate.

Note: I walked Watlington to Chalgrove.

Watlington is an attractive market town (Photo 1). Watlington Hill to the southeast of town is great for views, although rather a long detour for this Slow Way.

The route into Pyrton is mainly along lanes. Traffic was diverted down Pyrton Lane on my walk, but I imagine the lanes would normally be quiet. The route briefly meets the Oxfordshire Way in Pyrton.

From Pyrton it’s farmland paths, with a brief walk along the B480 (Photos 2,3 & 4).

At Manor Farm, you can walk straight through; although I was unsure about this at the time and took a lane around the buildings. Either way, then turn left and follow the path round into the sonar farm (Photo 5). I met a surprisingly friendly pheasant (Photo 6).

After the sonar farm, a gap in a hedge leads to a field [SU652976]. I found nothing to indicate the path across. Checking the map, I headed towards the left corner of the copse ahead, then turned left to the depot warehouses (Photo 7, looking back from the depot).

From there it’s a road walk into Chalgrove, passing the John Hampden Civil War Monument.

This is definitely my preferred route for Chalgrove to Watlington. It avoids a long section on the B480, making it much safer.

The route passes two very different war memorials - the obvious one remembers John Hampden, who died at the Civil War battle of Chalgrove in 1643. but on the opposite side of the road there's a small plaque noting the role of the US Army Air Force reconnaissance and pathfinder units, who operated from Chalgrove Airfield.
After that, the route takes a variety of undulating paths and farm tracks, past a solar farm (which I'm always pleased to see, though others might not) and through more traditional farmland. There's a section of road at Pyrton, before entering the outskirts of Watlington.


Tricky turns:
1. From Chalgrove to Watlington, you cross a field after the Oxford Packaging Solutions building. Keep to the left of the hedge and ditch, which will bring you to the solar farm more smoothly.

1. From Watlington to Chalgrove: you leave Pyrton on a bridleway just after the two stepped brick walls flanking a driveway, not the footpath just before those walls.

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