Not a lot to add to the previous very detailed review - if you're looking for an undulating walk with very little interaction with the urban world (with the exception of the section in Banbury, of course), then this is for you....

Martin McGovern

Specifically, a little south of Swalcliffe, the route is heading north north east and then turns close to north to head into the village....

Martin McGovern

A little south of Swalcliffe, the route is heading north north east and then turns close to north to head into the village....

Martin McGovern

Lovely walk, no issues...

One Woman Walks

Don't let that put you off though, there are plenty of great views over the Cotswolds, lovely chocolate box village scenes and a view of the Whispering Knights standing stones along the route. The path across the field at the top of the steps was not visible (photo 10) and I had to check my GPS to ensure I was on the right route. On the approach to Great Rollright, you have a short 10 minute section along a quiet road with verges (photo 11) to reach the village. The rest of the route towards Hook Norton is fairly elevated again offering good views. Just as you get near Hook Norton, you have another short section of road to climb before rejoining the footpath....

Steve Litchfield

Very muddy and boggy in places, warnings of closed bridges which were easily passable, and no warnings of missing bridges but it doesn't stop me giving it a full five stars as all easily overcome challenges. Leaving Hook Norton you pass by the route of the old Banbury to Cheltenham railway, and the pillar remains of a viaduct which are apparently known as 'Oxfordshire's Pyramids'. At the church in Wigginton, we were met with a 'Bridge Closed' sign (photo 6) which warns that a footbridge closer to South Newington was in disrepair and should not be attempted. I thought to myself that if the bridge was that bad, then at the worst i'd have to retrace my steps and take the alternative longer route that involved a road - which I didn't want to do....

Steve Litchfield

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

Pear Tree pub at end of Brewery Lane also serves Hook Norton beer and has a pleasant rear garden If walking from Shipston, the 488 Stagecoach bus from outside the Pear Tree pub to Chipping Norton (10 past hour), and then the 50 Stagecoach bus from Chipping Norton (14:40, 18:51 Monday-Saturday) gets you back to Shipston....

jezzaph

Leaving Shipston On Stour you follow the Shakespeare Way along the river Stour for a short section before more field paths with great views arriving at Cherington where we leave the Shakespeare Way....

Nigel Cull

Staircase crossing of A3400 isn’t great condition, take care....

Paul

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

As you leave the village the footpath passes around the back of the brewery, where we saw their shire horses grazing; they are still used for local beer deliveries. We stopped for lunch at the Cherington Arms in Stourton, which we would recommend for its good food and beer....

swebbews

The footpath to Wigginton west of South Newington had been closed by Oxfordshire CC due to the poor condition of the boardwalk, but alternative routes to Wigginton were possible using paths to the north, or by walking along the Wigginton Road....

swebbews

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

There are two awkward roads to cross A41 (with two steep staired banks) and the Hook Norton road just by Fanville Farm near the end of the walk....

Lodge101