Hooban one

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I tried this route yesterday. I read the reviews before walking the route, and thought i'd give it a try despite one flag already being placed on it. After attempting, I feel a new route (I shall add Hooban three) is needed and would be beneficial to stop people having the same problems faced upon leaving Swalcliffe. I also notice Hooban two tries to go through the same cottages as the route leaves Swalcliffe, and it just isn't possible.

I'm failing it mainly on the problems faced leaving Swalcliffe heading towards Lodge Farm. The mapped route is actually impossible due to the route being non-existent and trying to take you physically through cottage buildings. The suggested solution of walking through a gate next to Sunrise cottage wasn't possible when I attempted it due to a private party in the grounds of the private cottage garden, and I didn't feel comfortable trying to access it.

Walked it from Hook Norton to Banbury. The surface was good, no mud at any point. Plenty of good views and open skys to enjoy.
A few points:
1. The section around Lodge Farm, beween Hook Norton and Swalcliffe. The public footpaths have been ploughed out and the signage may have been removed. There were a couple of large fields where I was following the path thanks to my phone app. The path was invisible on the ground.
2. Same section: in places the actual path on the ground doesn't follow the public footpath on the map. It may have been moved.
3. The section in/out of Banbury through Bretch Hill has building work around the water tower, and there's lots of litter. It's not the greatest walking experience.

Apart from those bits it was a pleasant walk. Once in Banbury town centre I walked down Parson Street and finished at Ye Olde Reindeer in Banbury. It does a better pint than the "proper" endpoint at the bus station :-).

A walk over undulating countryside from Banbury to Hook Norton. Mainly over fields and paths with good views. Of course, you can always visit Hook Norton Brewery at the end and catch the bus back to Banbury!
There are two tricky spots for navigation.
The first is heading out of Banbury.
The second is leaving Swalcliffe.
Leaving Banbury - On Bretch Hill look for the path entrance left of a block of flats - see photo 1. Follow the path for 200 metres until you arrive at an entrance to a housing estate. Go the left and enter a wood. See photo 2. Turn right for a bit. Then turn right again. You should hit the path to North Newington. Keep the TV mast to your left. See photo 3.
To leave Swalcliffe - Find Sunrise Cottage which is next to the pub on the main road. The small blue walk circular sign is hidden by a shrub next to the gate. See Photo 4.
Follow the path through the garden until you come to a big wooden gate with 'Beware of the dog' written on it. See photo 5. Walk through the gate, down to the stream and up the other side to the farm.

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