The Vale Way - Section 1 - Abingdon to Steventon

GR(key) Directions Points of interest 5049 9721 START: Mill stream bridge near Abingdon weir/lock, Nearby weir and Abingdon Lock. Site of proposed the junction with the Thames Path and Oxford Abingdon Hydro project Greenbelt Way. Sustrans Route 5 Head towards Abingdon on Sustrans route 5. Past Mill stream built by monks of . Green Sword bridge. At public conveniences cross bridge and Sword Bridge with decorations of designs from ancient follow Sustrans signs to Abingdon. sword found in . Outdoor swimming pool and children's areas. Past Guildhall and under Guildhall archway. Follow Abbey grounds, site of abbey. Public art-Abingdon sustrans route 5 signs. To Bridge Street. Needle. Statue of Queen Victoria and gardens by Trendle. Folly. Coseners House and remaining abbey buildings. Cross road and continue past County Hall along East St Abingdon County Hall-Museum. Market Place and Helens Street. shops. Cafes and pubs, restaurants. Historic buildings.

Left at church and follow footpath by river Thames. Abingdon Church of St Helens famous for being one of the widest churches in . Four rows of almshouses dating from 15th century. Cross bridge over river Ock. Turn left onto Wilsham Cast iron bridge over river Ock built by canal company. Road

Follow path by river to sailing club, cross road and Small park, bricked up junction to Wilts and Berks continue along Wilsham Road to path. Continue onto canal. Abingdon Marina. Access to river via South West Quay to junction with Lambrick Way. Quay. Public areas and river walk south to Jubilee junction, a new cutting for Wilts and Berks canal.

4962 9561 Follow Sustrans signs for Sutton Courtenay. Continue Access to Jubilee junction. Access to Sutton Wick along path to junction with road to right. Nature reserve.

Continue straight on to junction with main road. Care Display board for Hanson Way, part of Sustrans route required. 5.

Cross road to the right. Walk on verge to footpath to Turn left(right) on bridleway to Sutton Coutenay. Pubs, the left between houses. Follow path to field. Cross church with graves of Prime minister and author, old field to bridleway. Follow path straight on to houses and access to Thames path. footbridge across brook. Cross footbridge, turn left, along edge of field, turning right before end of field, through gap over footbridge. Follow path along field edge to end of field, through gap turn left and follow path to main road.

Cross road to left and follow footpath to right. Then Old school building footpath to right and follow to junction with School Lane. Turn right and folow road to junction with High Street. Turn right, cross road and turn left at pub. Straight on Plum Pudding pub. Milton Manor-privately owned and turn right before Milton Manor on footpath past house open to public. Milton Church and interesting church. houses.

Turn left and follow path to a small junction. Turn left Alternate route avoiding footbridge. Turn left(right) and follow footpath to footbridge over the A34 trunk and follow path parallel to road to tunnel under. road. Through tunnel, turn right and follow path to footbridge. Turn left(right). Over footbridge. Follow path to Milton Lane. Turn right Medieval stone causeway to Steventon(Milton) built by onto causeway. Turn left and follow to B4017 monks. Pretty riverside walk. Old houses. Abingdon road at Village Hall. 4716 9198 End: B4017, Abingdon Road. Pubs, shops and café on High Street. Steventon War Memorial.