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Route Oxford - Port Meadow - Wolvercote County Oxfordshire Difficulty Easy Distance 12km (7.5 miles) Typical time Three hours OS grid reference: SP514055, Explorer 180 Starting point Folly Bridge: park in a suburb and walk in, or at the Westgate Centre. Bus and train stations are very central

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Blister rating: 2/5 View rating: 3/5

Why I love this walk

Oxford is a small city but a glorified one: not only by golden university buildings but by the fact that it is riven by water. Its rivers and canals are escape-chutes in hot weather. Even in the tourist-teeming city centre you’re never far from a cool, leafy way out into nature. Duck under a bridge and there’s a path, and a breeze and another world. A cool, glassy looking-glass adventure.

On this walk, two waterways run close together. You can pick up the canal towpath at Hythe Bridge and walk past bright barges and intriguing locks, past St Barnabas’ Venetian tower at Jericho and the Aristotle Bridge, right up to Wolvercote; then cross the village and follow the Thames itself.

You exchange canal-boats for sculls, sailing-dinghies and ducks; pass through the great flood plain at Port Meadow, notice the track to the Perch at Binsey (have a drink, or nip to Binsey Church to see the well that inspired Alice’s Treacle Well) . Follow the river south and you’re near Oxford station. You can’t get lost. The water guides and soothes you all the way.

The route

1 From the traffic lights by Folly Bridge, follow the Thames Path westwards, passing a barrier and crossing a small bridge. Pass by an old crane and bear right where the path meets the road, so staying by the bank of the Thames.

2 Cross under the bridge and continue along the bank of the river.

3 Immediately after the railway bridges, cross a tributary of the Thames.

4 Pass Osney Lock and terraced houses.

5 Bear slightly left and cross the footbridge. Cross the road and cross the bridge on the pavement. On the other side, to the left, the Thames Path continues (there is a signpost). Resume along it, passing another row of houses.

6 On crossing this bridge, a sign indicates the Oxford Canal to the right, but take the path to the left beside the Thames. After pleasant woodland, sweeping views of Port Meadow open up to the right.

7 Cross the red bridge over the Thames. Continue along the river, passing a boatyard to the left. Ignore a prominent track to the left and instead pass through a small gate and keep along the Thames Path.

8 The Perch Inn is signed to the left. However, the route crosses a gate and through pastureland alongside the river.

9 Pass through Godstow Lock and by Godstow Abbey. Bear slightly right off the main path and walk up to the road.

10 Cross the gate, turn right and cross the road-bridge.

11 On your right is the Trout Inn, highly recommended but sometimes busy. Follow the main road through Wolvercote Village.

12 At the large bridge across a railway and canal, do not cross the footbridge, but the road bridge itself. About halfway along on the left, take the gate down between the railway and canal. Follow the path down and bear right.

13 Pass Wolvercote Lock and under many bridges, staying on the same side of the canal.

14 Ignore the turning to the right (which leads to Waymark 06) and instead cross the black and white bridge on to an “island”. Continue along the path.

15 The canal has ended here. Cross the road, turn right and cross a bridge.

16 Immediately after the bridge, turn on to a path signposted “Mill Stream Walk”. Cross another road and continue along the path, which eventually turns into Paradise Street, which bears to the left. Turn left at the next junction.

17 Turn right and walk along the pedestrian precinct (Queen Street).

18 At Carfax, turn right and walk down St Algate’s, passing Christchurch College’s Tom Tower. Pass two sets of traffic lights and cross Folly Bridge to the start of the walk.

Source: www.walkingworld.com

Contributor: Oliver O’Brien. Walk No 269

Things to see

A stroll around Oxford’s waterways, among shrubs and woodland. Enjoy a good meal in an idyllic location at the Trout Inn made famous by Inspector Wexford

Pub rating: 3/5

Pub: The Trout, Lower Wolvercote
Immortalised in the Inspector Morse novels, this 17th-century pub has had a contemporary makeover and enjoys a picturesque riverside setting

Where to stay

Old Parsonage Hotel
A historic hotel in the heart of Oxford with country house furnishings and a top-rated breakfast menu.

The Old Bank Hotel
The best hotel on the high street, the bustling brasserie and elegant facade more than compensate for smallish rooms.

Malmaison Oxford
Oxford's former prison is a spectacular setting for the Malmaison hotel, and the food and decor don't disappoint.

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