Kidoxf one

Verified Slow Way

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A rather scenic walk between the two locations. The initial stretch between the station and canal route can be tricky to keep track of as there are many turns, but once on the canal path it's fairly easy to follow (and there are several signs to help get to the towpath, even if it's not strictly the way this route suggests.) As previous reviewers have mentioned, the stretch along the canal from Wolvercote has been recently resurfaced, making it nice and smooth for going by wheel.

The views are plentiful and ever-changing, both with season and distance - it starts off with many houses on the banks, passes a school, under a dual carriageway and then meanders past some greener pastures and a pond that was just teeming with birds when we passed! All ascents and descents are fairly minimal and unnoticeable, too, which is great for those not a fan of big hills.

All the points made by the previous reviewer are valid. This is a flat route predominantly along a towpath. I tried cycling it: the section from Kidlington to the A44 was OK on a hybrid bike (half-way between a mountain mike and a more traditional road machine), but was muddy and uneven - I wouldn't ride it on anything less rugged, and don't recommend this section for wheelchairs or buggies.

At the time of writing (May 2021), the section from the A44 to Godstow Road is being resurfaced, which should bring it up to the standard of the southern section, which is suitable for wheels.

On a more positive note, it's a pleasant walk, which keeps you close to nature until the last couple of hundred metres. By turning left instead of right at that point, you can head into Central Oxford and also the bus station.

Tricky turns - towards Oxford
1. At the Isis lock the official path continues diagonally to your left, over a bridge, while a sign points slightly right to the Oxford Rail Station - but you'll easily reach the station either way if that's your destination.

Tricky turns - towards Kidlington
1. Since you're walking along the west side of the canal, the opportunities to cross to Kidlington on the east bank are limited. The bridge you need to take is a substantial stone one which takes you onto Yarnton Road. The bridges over the canal are numbered and this one is 228 - though the numbers aren't always shown on both sides of the bridges, so you may need to walk under it and look back to check.

A flat route along a towpath.

The towpath is rough track from Kidlington 'til about the 3–mile mark at Wolvercote; it's not totally inaccessible but it'll be a tiresome slog in a wheelchair; the track is paved the rest of the way. You can expect to encounter a steady stream of walkers, cyclists, and runners and there are always lashings of narrowboats on the canal itself.

Once you reach Wolvercote the towpath runs close to main roads with bus access all the way to Oxford, so if you're tired you can hop on a bus. The proximity to main roads means there's plenty of places to stop off and grab some refreshment: Wolvercote boasts The Trout Inn — a haunt of Inspector Morse — and the ruin of the nearby Godstow Nunnery is a scenic spot to nosh on your packed lunch of tongue sandwiches and pop. (Jolly good!)

The lovely Port Meadow runs parallel to the towpath after Wolvercote so you may want to detour ever so slightly from the towpath to amble through the meadow; The Perch Inn makes for a good spot to fill your boots before finishing off the last couple of miles into Oxford.

It's an easy walk with some neat scenery if you explore slightly off the beaten towpath.

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