Staoxf two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 75.00% of reviewers

Very pretty route, provided a good walk for the first 11 or so miles, but the last two miles (furthest from Oxford) were so flooded as to be impassable without taller boots than mine sadly. Nevertheless what of it I could walk I very much enjoyed, and will try it again once I’ve gotten knee boots or the weather has dried. Who would’ve guessed England would be so rainy? Lastly, there is one brief segment which requires you to walk alongside a somewhat busy road with very little shoulder, but it was not so bad as some other routes in this regard.

I also agree this is a big improvement over StaOxf1. I walked it Oxford-Standlake, and made a further small improvement leaving Oxford: on Osney Island, go down West Street, turn right into Swan Street, cross the footbridge and follow the path across the top of Oatlands Rec before turning left after the bridge to join the path down to North Hinksey. It's a little more direct, and avoids walking through the industrial estate. Not a big enough difference to justify another route, though, and you may prefer to take in Osney Lock on the official route.

As you can see from the pictures, the route uses a mixture of paths, wide bridleway-style tracks to footpaths across farmland and through woods. There are a few kissing gates and only 1 or 2 stiles, both low. Where it follows roads, they are not busy once out of the city. The crossing of the A420 at Bessels Leigh is the only place where you'll have to dice with the traffic. During my walk, on a dry day in May, there were only a few muddy sections of path, none for more than a few yards. After crossing under the A34 leaving Oxford there's the climb up Hurst Hill, but after that the route is pretty flat.

The route provided is accurate and easy to follow.

I agree with Mtormey that Staoxf Two is an improvement over Staoxf One, for the reasons stated.

It's reasonably gentle, with a nice range of path types - a nice stretch of riverside, with others being more or less wooded, and others going through farmland. There aren't very many stiles, but as with many countryside routes, the terrain can vary widely and it would be a challenge.

The route has a number of locations where refreshments are available, including two pubs on either side of the Thames at Newbridge (ironically, one of the two oldest bridges across the river).

Nearer Standlake, the route follows a section of the Windrush Path, and benefits from that signage, but overall it's easy to follow.

Tricky turns - only one - going from Standlake to Oxford. After Appleton village, you enter Besselsleigh Wood, and shortly after that the path splits. The one to take is the right hand one of the two.

Great route. Super varied in terrain and scenery, and a beautiful way to get out into the countryside from Oxford!.

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