Leaving North Newington (photo 4) the route eventually takes you through fields (photo 5) to a dip and then back uphill to a field which asked us to not use the field margin due to nesting birds (photo 6). Leaving Swalcliffe, the route takes you around the school and down Park Lane and through Park Wood (photo 10). As the route took us towards Lodge Farm, it took us through some fields of sweetcorn which it looked like had only recently had a path cleared to follow the right of way (photo 11). The route then takes you across more agricultural fields as it descends towards the destination....

Steve Litchfield

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....

Steve Litchfield

The walk through Banbury was easy to follow and soon led into the Oxfordshire countryside passing the edge of Drayton and into the village of Horley. The route then heads toward Ratley and just before the village the route crosses across a hill which was muddy even after a dry period. After Ratley the route climbs the edge of Edge Hill the scene of the famous battle in 1642 during the English Civil War. The route then leads down into the village of Radway ( visit the Church for a permanent interactive exhibition about the Civil War) then through the countryside passing MOD Kineton....

Eric Forgan

What swung my choice to attempt the original route was a useful review by KB on Banbra two which only gave the route three stars due to waterlogging and a huge amount of road walking on that route. After checking KB's analysis, I could see the second route does hold more road walking than the original route. Despite KB's positive review of Banbra two going past Thenford House, I decided that less road walking was more favourable than visiting Thenford House so felt a pioneered review of Banbra one was warranted. Only a small amount of road walking here until you reach the footpath which takes you to the rear of properties and out of the village (<a href="https://beta.slowways.org/Route/Banbra/11130#review12061-gallery-3" target="_blank">photo 3</a>). When you reach the Astrop Road, the first difference to Banbra one appears as you should turn left and then right to walk along the top of the embankment next to the A422 to reach the footpath (<a href="https://beta.slowways.org/Route/Banbra/11130#review12061-gallery-5" target="_blank">photo 5</a>) and around Middleton Lodge Farm. Just as you pass Stony Brake here the route takes advantage of a footpath to the left (<a href="https://beta.slowways.org/Route/Banbra/11130#review12061-gallery-9" target="_blank">photo 9</a>) to leave the road behind. A small amount of quiet road walking (with verges) then takes you to a footpath past Manor Farm and towards the A422 (<a href="https://beta.slowways.org/Route/Banbra/11130#review12061-gallery-13" target="_blank">photo 13</a>)....

Steve Litchfield

Nice walk from Deddington to Banbury. Especially lovely between Deddington and Adderbury. If walking with dogs you will have to lift less spritely ones over a couple of stile as one field contains well fenced-in sheep....

John

The route exits the lovely village of Kineton behind very quickly via an unsealed track with a view of the forthcoming Edge Hill on the horizon (photo 1). The route then takes you up and along the top of Bush Hill. Whilst I haven't done that route for comparison, I did encounter a very muddy section whilst walking along the top of the Bush Hill (photo 10). The route then crosses the plateau of Bush Hill via the D'arcy Dalton Way before descending into pretty Hornton. The route then takes you across arable land before quickly passing through the suburbs of Banbury to the end of the walk. As well as the aforementioned challenges with elevation, the route has plenty of gates, stiles, footbridges and steps to negotiate....

Steve Litchfield

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 :-)...

IanP

There is a huge proportion of road walking on this route, but that said, the only problematic stretch is the main road leaving Fathinghoe; consequently, navigation is straightforward....

KB

A walk over undulating countryside from Banbury to Hook Norton. 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. Follow the path through the garden until you come to a big wooden gate with 'Beware of the dog' written on it....

Stan Morgan

An alternative route into Banbury from Broughton Castle / North Newington is to head down to the Broughton Road part-way along and there is a footpath alongside Broughton Road which continues all the way to Banbury Cross and into the town centre.  The only reason for not giving this route more stars is the road part Shutford to North Newington but otherwise it’s a fantastic route....

Ruth Broadbent

As has been mentioned in another review, there is an obvious different route, on an easy to walk hard surface track, around the MOD base....

Sally Cullimore

Easy walking, well used routes, very little mud and plenty to see. Access to public transport and facilities good. A couple of missing signposts, but easy enough to work out....

Sally Cullimore

It's the same as Banbra one close to Brackey, but then takes a different route going to Banbury. It uses a high propotion of bridleways, generally with good access (for the able bodied) and has no substantial periods on A roads with no pavements. It goes via Middleton Cheney, which is a good place to rest (having benches as a shop) and also via Thenford House and gardens....

piers

Route finding is straight forward, the only issue is around the MoD base near Kineton. Walking from Banbury to Kineton the route takes an obvious detour from the map path but If walking from Kineton to Banbury you will end stuck as you approach the base boundary. I will suggest adetour around this section....

MikeM

A more scenic option would be to walk from Bodicote to Bloxham Grove Farm and follow the footpath to Adderbury from there....

morris_cjm