Oxfcha one

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Oxford to Chalgrove 1 (Oxfcha 1) review.

An attractive walk which covers a stretch of the Thames Path National Trail, farmland footpaths between villages, and concludes in a stretch of the Shakespeare’s Way long-distance footpath. I had a couple of navigation issues, but neither dissuaded me giving this Slow Way a high rating.

Note: the previous excellent review covers many of the points I would make, so I will try not to replicate too many. It was a blazing hot day and sun cream got on my camera, hence the rather blurry pictures!

The Thames towpath is always a welcome part of a Slow Way. The route leaves the river at Sandford Lock for a short urban walk and a less than salubrious overgrown path around a sewage works.

The Slow Way crosses fields (Photo 1) to Toot Baldon. There is an attractive early break point at The Mole Inn.

On leaving the village, a footpath south from the church (Photo 2) can cut a short loop from the route. The Slow Way soon turns east to mostly follow the Shakespeare’s Way all the way to Chalgrove [Photo 3]. There are marvellous views over the open farmland.

Watch for where the footpath diverges from the farm track [SU572995]. I missed this and, after the track ended at a field, needed quite a wander before resuming the path (Photo 4). There is a break point at The Coach & Horses in Chistelhampton.

The road route through Stadhampton can be bypassed by staying on the Shakespeare’s Way. Note: the pub in Stadhampton was not in business (as of September 2023).

The Slow Way continues through Ascott Park with plenty of information boards on the buildings you pass, including a dovecot.

Towards the end of the walk, the route ploughed through a field of ripening corn (Photo 5). I was alarmed to emerge into a building site with no indication where the path continued [SU623974]. After wandering about a while, I climbed a locked gate onto the road into Chalgrove. It is an extensive housing project. I discovered that if I had kept to the same bearing, with the site to my left, the contractors had left a pedestrian exit to the road just before the village.

The Lamb pub on the edge of Chalgrove was a particularly welcome sight on a very hot day!.

Significant parts of this route use existing pathways – Shakespeare’s Way specifically, including sections where Shakespeare’s Way and the Thames Path are one. Consequently, there are regular waymarks, and it’s fairly easy to follow.
The route isn’t really suitable for wheels – being a footpath rather than a bridleway means that bikes are a no-no, and while the terrain is relatively flat, stiles are quite common, and anyone but the most muscular would have trouble negotiating with even a light baby-buggy.
But for walkers, the route is a gentle one and pleasant enough. For me, the stand-out point was seeing, rather unexpectedly two fragments of the Ascott Manor estate near Stadhampton – a granary and a dovecote, both dating (according to subsequent research) from the sixteenth century.
I’d also like to give a shout-out to whoever constructed a bench out of old pallets and put it beside the path between Chiselhampton and Marsh Baldon, providing a resting place while enjoying the view of Whittenham Clumps.
One possible route variation at Stadhampton – the official route takes you on the road and past shops and a pub – if you aren’t hungry you can continue on the Shakespeare’s way going across the B480. This will join that road but a bit further on.
And a word of warning – the section at the southern edge of Oxford passes a sewage works. This may put you off the entire route, but remember that the alternative is the same smell in your own house.
Tricky turns
Chalgrove to Oxford
1. At Chalgrove, the route seems to leave the road at the Lamb pub. In fact, it leaves the road at The Brook Surgery car park 100m further out of the village, heading across allotments.
2. After turning at the Coach and Horses in Chiselhampton, walk along the road for about 150m, and then turn right onto the footpath signed for Marsh Baldon (well hidden by vegetation, but opposite the much clearer Restricted Byway sign to Drayton St Leonard).

Oxford to Chalgrove
1. As the route bends right and leaves the Kassam Stadium/Grenoble Road area, the route is hard to spot. It continues southward along the right-hand edge of the field.
2. Heading out of Stadhampton on the village green, stay on the grass and keep to the right, past the playing area. The path continues through a stile.

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