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

Then a clear walk until the path leaves the road at SP 236 575 (behind Hatton Rock), when it becomes slippy and steep, and then as it drops to the river it is ALWAYS full of nettles....

Deneb

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

A couple of sections were a tad overgrown, and we had to find an alternative route at one point due to cattle. Having said that, it was a great walk and i'm really glad MikeM came up with this suggested alternative. The route eastwards towards Tysoe is pleasant, and once in the village (approx the halfway point of the walk) there is the option of stopping at the village stores for refreshments. Hopefully they won't always be in that field when you attempt this walk, but it's useful to know an alternative route is available....

Steve Litchfield

Apart from some lovely views and scenery, the route takes in an Ancient Monument, some lovely villages, a 16th century mansion, an obelisk and an architectural folly. Perhaps less glamorously, the route also takes you directly past no less than three water treatment sites. The only thing preventing me giving it five stars is the amount of unavoidable road walking involved, as well as crossing the busy Fosse Way and A439. The route then takes you past Brookhampton Farm before a lovely descent into Combrook village. Leaving the village the route takes you back uphill along the road up to the ancient (but fast) Roman Road, the Fosse Way. After Walton Hall, you then go via road through Walton village before crossing the River Dene next to a ford. After leaving the river, the route takes you to the busy A439, which is another busy road that you will need to take care to cross....

Steve Litchfield

There are some lovely little villages on the route, namely Lighthorne & Chesterton. I couldn't find the route from the car park by the Lighthorne Pavillion Cafe. Also, if you're not too bothered with purity of sticking to the exact mapped route, I would recommend taking a diversion from walking the mapped route through Pounce Hill Farm, and take the route over Crown Hill instead....

Steve Litchfield

Hi, I can't comment on walking the route but we've heard that the route is poorly plotted which might make it difficult to follow in places. A fab volunteer is working on tidying up this version and it will be uploaded soon. Thanks for your patience,...

Slow Ways Cristie

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

The walk leaves by the B4086 but soon leaves the road to follow footpaths past MOD Kineton ,then on to Gaydon where there is a village shop with refreshments. The path leaves via Bull Ring Farm Road and crosses the Railway Line then follows tracks and footpaths eventually entering Ufton Fields Nature Reserve....

Eric Forgan

The footpaths used on this Slow Ways route emerge from bushes on either side of Europa Way and pedestrians will only be seen by drivers once the pedestrian appears on the road....

Peter Clear

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

The start of the foodpath is clearly marked but is close to impassable in the middle, I recommand you go along the road it has a wide grass verge....

Tnarg

It is indicated on OS Maps as part of the Battlefields Trail but it's not a Public Right of Way according to the Definitive map. There are alternative routes but I wouldn't plan on following this section....

MikeM

The pools to the west of Lighthorne are currently (May 2021) being developed so the ground is unmade, muddy and rough in places but there are plenty of footpath signs to help....

MikeM

Lots of field tracks but some longer sections on paths and country roads especially through Charlcote and Hampton Lucy....

MikeM

The footpath between Southam and Ladbroke is now closed and will remain closed for approximately three years. An alternative KINSOU TWO has been added to Slowways...

Eric Forgan