Connect Didcot with Slow Ways

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Didcot

Oxfordshire


Slow Ways linking Didcot and Abingdon, Berinsfield, East Ilsley, Wallingford, Wantage

England / Oxfordshire / Didcot

Didcot’s five Slow Ways are 85% checked

Drawn: 5/5
reviewed: 5/5
verified: 4/5
and surveyed: 3/5

Help connect Didcot

Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.

Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.

Give a hike and help get a for every one of Didcot’s Slow Ways.

Walk to Didcot from further afield

Slow Way Route To do
Abingdon—Didcot
Abidid one Enjoy me Distance 10km/6mi Ascent 51m Descent 48m
Abingdon—Didcot
Abidid two Enjoy me Distance 10km/6mi Ascent - Descent -
Didcot—Berinsfield
Didber one

Verify me Distance 10km/7mi Ascent 89m Descent 88m
Didcot—Wallingford
Didwal one

Survey me Distance 14km/9mi Ascent 92m Descent 100m
Didcot—Wallingford
Didwal two Enjoy me Distance 13km/8mi Ascent 27m Descent 35m
Didcot—Wallingford
Didwal three Review me Distance 14km/9mi Ascent - Descent -
East Ilsley—Didcot
Easdid one Review me Distance 12km/7mi Ascent 147m Descent 90m
East Ilsley—Didcot
Easdid two Survey me Distance 12km/7mi Ascent 71m Descent 98m
Wantage—Didcot
Wandid one Enjoy me Distance 18km/11mi Ascent 167m Descent 132m
Wantage—Didcot
Wandid two Survey me Distance 18km/11mi Ascent 114m Descent 149m
Wantage—Didcot
Wandid three Verify me Distance 20km/12mi Ascent - Descent -

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Didcot and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Collective progress

82% of Didcot’s five route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified

11/11

drawn

11/11

reviewed

7/11

surveyed

7/11

verified

16 people have contributed to Didcot’s Slow Ways

10 people have pledged to walk and review a route

7 people have surveyed a route in Didcot

150km out of 150km have been walked and reviewed

450km of reviews have been shared in Didcot

Latest Updates

Didcot—Berinsfield

Berkshire Walker pledged to walk Didber one

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Martin McGovern took this photo on Wandid three

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I agree with pretty much everything in Strider's earlier review - this is slightly longer than the other two routes, but has great scenery. I cycled the whole way, using a hybrid bike which was fine. Anyone planning to try this with four wheels might want to check out the pictures I've posted - the entry to the long straight eastbound path at East Ginge is manageable for bikes, but for anything wider, it could be a challenge....

Martin McGovern

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Strider surveyed Didwal three

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This is a varied and pleasant walk through woods, riverside paths, farmland and a cycle path. The alternative path is included in the pictures below if the ferry is not an option....

Strider

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For example; at Shillingford the straight line route ignores the bridge (swim?) does not say which of 3 path options to take and flies over private property....

Strider

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Didcot—Wallingford

Strider added Didwal three, a new walk from Didcot to Wallingford

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Note: I walked Berinsfield to Didcot. Watch out for the A4074 crossing point [SU575952], which I had to double back to find, having walked almost to the bridge crossing. The river is crossed via the Little Wittenham Bridge (Photo 2); a former location for the annual World Poohsticks Championships....

Martin Ellis

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Strider surveyed Wandid three

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This gives an alternative route for wheels between Wantage and Didcot. Wheelchairs might need electric assistance up long inclines. Long hills, quite tiring....

Strider

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Wantage—Didcot

Strider added Wandid three, a new walk from Wantage to Didcot

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Martin Ellis took this photo on Wandid two

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There is a short urban walk to join the Icknield Greenway (Photo 2). The walk to Harwell is directly east along the tarmacked cycle path (photo 4)....

Martin Ellis

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Derick Rethans took this photo on Didwal one

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It was a pretty steep climb up, and I deliberately took the "long way" around the top of the slightly taller Castle Hill to get a better look at the Thames Valley, and the other slightly smaller clump which housed an iron age hill fort back in the days where that was popular. The paths on the Thames Path were all very muddy, which wasn't quite a surprise as it was winter, but I think I would prefer walking it in summer instead. At Benson the weir was blocked off, which unfortunately meant a diversion away from the Thames Path, first through a little village, then along a busy road for a short stretch, and then along residential roads into Wallington where the first section finished at its historic market square....

Derick Rethans

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when I first arrived in this area I remember noticing the big skies around Didcot and this walk makes the most of them....

Edensyard

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Wantage—Didcot

Sarah_Sarah29 pledged to walk Wandid two

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As it was a beautiful autumn afternoon, I was passed a few times by cyclists, a runner, and a lady on a mobility scooter, so it’s fairly popular in parts and a very accessible route. It’s also fairly flat, with only one significant slope over the railway just as you pass the station car park....

Sarah_Sarah29

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Sarah_Sarah29 took this photo on Abidid two

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Abingdon—Didcot

Sam McKavanagh pledged to walk Abidid two

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Abingdon—Didcot

Sam McKavanagh pledged to walk Abidid one

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The route takes a grassy path (Photo 1) ascending onto the Ridgeway National Trail. The Slow Way crosses over a dismantled railway and joins a tarmacked lane (Photo 3). The route continues north straight as an arrow, becoming a grassy path (Photo 4), then back to a lane on the approach into Upton....

Martin Ellis

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Martin McGovern surveyed Didwal two

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I agree with the points made in earlier reviews - this is pleasant, with the only road sections being in Didcot itself - after that you have to cross roads, but not walk along anything of significance. The only slight oddity is that the half of the .gpx file closer to Didcot is often slightly off - this means that looking for exact turning points, or bridges may require a little more thought. But it's all manageable....

Martin McGovern

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Fairly easy walk, not very muddy at present. Not very exciting scenery but a good view of Didcot from above Upton. Have to take a diversion through Harwell Campus...

Andrew Kerr

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Andrew Kerr took this photo on Wandid one

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Martin McGovern surveyed Abidid two

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I can't add a lot to the thorough review from Martin Ellis. This route was added as a cycle-friendly one; consequently, it's pretty friendly for wheels generally, but if you prefer being away from cycles, and are happy to deal with mud, abidid one is a better bet. Signage is also pretty good - just follow National Cycle Route 5.. My journey was in January, and consequently, perhaps the route was quieter this time, both in terms of cycles and people). Partly because of the time of year, my pictures aren't as appealing as those already uploaded...

Martin McGovern

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Martin McGovern took this photo on Abidid two

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Nice route using the Icknield way and the disused railway line from Upton. Ran this after some decent rainfall and still good surfaces throughout. No turnstiles, one steep bit over Ginge bridge but not that bad....

Mathew_jones

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Mathew_jones took this photo on Wandid two

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Martin McGovern surveyed Abidid one

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It certainly provides quite a contrast with the riverside and village sections further north - and is predominantly paved, which was useful given the muddy conditions....

Martin McGovern

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Martin McGovern took this photo on Abidid one

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On the second section I enjoyed a wander round the pretty village of East Hagbourne before continuing on the route. Starting in East Ilsley the route initially climbs up to the Ridgeway on a grassy track (Photo 1) before crossing the gallops (Photo 2 & 3) and descending down to join a no-through road at Churn Farm. The route then gently climbs on a track between the fields (Photo 5) before dropping down through woodland to Upton (Photo 6)....

Ursula

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A great route starting with a couple of gentle downland hills and then a flat finish along the railway path from Upton into Didcot. Starting in East Ilsley the route initially climbs up to the Ridgeway on a grassy track (Photo 1) before crossing the gallops (Photo 2 & 3) and descending down to join a no-through road at Churn Farm....

Ursula

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Martin McGovern surveyed Didber one

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This route has several interesting elements. At Little Whittenham there's the environmental learning charity Earth Trust; part of the route through Dorchester runs along the Roman road; and the village of Berinsfield was built on the site of a second world war air base....

Martin McGovern

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Martin McGovern took this photo on Didber one

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Having said this it is a very pleasant walk through rural countryside and takes in the villages of East Hagbourne and South Moreton both with pubs....

Andy Stocks

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The route creator has curated an excellent route which has a mixture of soaring views, narrow 'secret' footpaths and delightful villages and churches....

Slow Ways Darren

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Slow Ways Darren took this photo on Easdid two

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A pleasant Slow Way which follows the Thames from Abingdon, then leaves it at Culham Lock to visit Sutton Courtenay, and finally takes a bridleway into Didcot. From Culham Lock (Photo 4), the route takes a bridleway and footpath (Photo 5) to skirt east of Sutton Courtenay. On leaving Sutton Courtenay, the footpath has a good view of Didcot Power Station (Photo 6), now missing its iconic water towers....

Martin Ellis

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Martin Ellis took this photo on Abidid one

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The cycle route then runs south to Sutton Courtney, along Peek-O-Day Lane (Photo 3). The route skirts south of Sutton Courtney with some road walking (Photo 4); but it is only a short detour into the village proper, and the George and Dragon pub....

Martin Ellis

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Martin Ellis took this photo on Abidid two

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The pleasant field walk (Photo 2) ends at the Earth Trust Centre (earthtrust.org.uk) which manages the green spaces around the Wittenham Clumps (Photo 3). It’s a slight detour, but Little Wittenham Bridge (Photo 4) is just north of the Clumps: a former venue for the annual Poohsticks championship!...

Martin Ellis

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From South Moreton, the Slow Way soon arrives at the Mill Brook which it follows all the way into Wallingford (Photos 1, 2 & 3)....

Martin Ellis

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After about 1.5km you meet Culham Old Bridge and the route takes you onto a pavement next to a road called The Burycroft which cuts off the corner of the Thames Path making the route more direct (alternatively, you could just keep following the Thames Path for a more scenic route by the river and fields). The route rejoins the Thames Path at the Culham Cut (photo 1) and then it is only a short distance before reaching Culham Lock (photos 2 and 3). Highlights of the route are the Thames Path as you leave Abingdon, Culham Lock and the village of Sutton Courtenay....

Helenry

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There are a variety of terrains on this route with some narrow, uphill and/or uneven sections - please refer to the photo survey we conducted of this route for further details. Very pleasant walk though with scenic views from Wittenham Clumps and various points of interest en route including Benson Weir and Benson Lock....

Helenry

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You cross the river twice; Once at Shillingford and a second time at Benson lock....

RogerGill

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You're spoilt for walking in this area and the alternative Wallingford Didcot route takes in the stunning clumps....

RogerGill

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Abingdon—Didcot

smason added Abidid two, a new walk from Abingdon to Didcot

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The route has a few unnecessary little diversions of the Thames path, just ignore and keep to riverside path....

Nick Coleman

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Neil Patrick McColl surveyed Wandid one

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Didcot

Helenry surveyed Didcot

View facilities

If you don't want to cross stiles, look at the other wandid routes...

Neil Patrick McColl

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The route should follow the Harwell - Wantage cycle path. That would avoid stiles etc, give a better surface but still be close to villages for facilities. I will suggest alternative based on that....

Neil Patrick McColl

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Wantage—Didcot

Neil Patrick McColl added Wandid two, a new walk from Wantage to Didcot

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This route avoids stiles etc and is less prone to any mud....

Neil Patrick McColl

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Didcot—Wallingford

rlbrodie added Didwal two, a new walk from Didcot to Wallingford

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East Ilsley—Didcot

matthewsnape added Easdid two, a new walk from East Ilsley to Didcot

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Mainly a good route but it could be much improved by utilising the recently-opened Icknield Greenway....

jcgordon

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Didcot—Berinsfield

WendyTobitt added Didber one, a new walk from Didcot to Berinsfield

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Abingdon—Didcot

Slow Ways added Abidid one, a new walk from Abingdon to Didcot

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Didcot—Wallingford

Slow Ways added Didwal one, a new walk from Didcot to Wallingford

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East Ilsley—Didcot

Slow Ways added Easdid one, a new walk from East Ilsley to Didcot

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Wantage—Didcot

Slow Ways added Wandid one, a new walk from Wantage to Didcot

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1

Didcot, Thu 28 March

10°

Heavy rain

Didcot’s Slow Ways starting point

Grid ref

SU5251690502

Lat / Lon

51.61091° / -1.24298°

Easting / Northing

452,516E / 190,502N

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Didcot and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Facilities

Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Didcot's meeting point

Public toilet

Wheelchair accessible toilet

Supermarket or convenience shop

Restaurant, cafe or pub

Accommodation

Accommodation for under £50 a night

Campsite

Bothy

Free wifi

Mobility scooter hire

Off-road wheelchair hire

Disabled Parking

Train station

Bus stop

Ferry

Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town

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