A pleasant mostly rural route using footpaths and bridleways to connect Didcot and Berinsfield via Little Wittenham and Dorchester on Thames. The route takes in several scenic and historic landmarks including the Earth Trust's Wittenham Clumps (including an Iron Age hillfort on Castle Hill), Little Wittenham church and Day's Lock on the Thames, the Iron Age earthworks at Dyke Hills, and historic Dorchester with its medieval Abbey. There are no refreshments stops on the route but both Didcot and Dorchester have cafes, pubs and shops....

Berkshire Walker

The marked footpath after crossing the road in Upton is very narrow and overgrown- so much so that a local villager commenting 'it's unusual to see someone walking down here!' - there is an alternative which would be more suited for wheels, turning left as you face the road and heading through the village on the path parallel instead. After exiting Upton the paths go through fields and meadows, some of the path here is not completely clear as it can be confusing knowing which is the path and which is just where the farmer has cleared a vehicle route....

FootpathFaye

Good picnic spot next to the pond in East Ilsley, but also two pubs nearby....

Christine R

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

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

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

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

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

Strider

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

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

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

Edensyard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RogerGill

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

RogerGill

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

Nick Coleman

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

Neil Patrick McColl

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

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

Neil Patrick McColl

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

jcgordon