Walkingin Cherwell Walking is truly accessible – almost everyone can do it anywhere and at any time. It won’t cost you anything, and you don’t need any fancy equipment. Here are some of the ways you can get involved…

Cherwell Health Walks With Ramblers Walking for Health, you can take part in a free organised short walk nearby to help you get active and stay active at a pace that works for you. Go to www.walkingforhealth.org.uk for more information on these walks in the district 4 walks in the area 5 walks in the area Woodstock Thrupp Islip

WINDM I E L AS L H 5K E C A G VEN ID UE TR R 5 PA 9 0 4 A

School ASHFI BR ELD R OA Bicester Blue Line Routes D PR 4K IMR OSE DRIV E

The blue line represents a circular 5K Health Route. Complete

the full loop and you will have undertaken approx. 7,000 steps – a good

E B N A A R B R A L Y D S A N E V A way towards the recommended daily exercise! 5K feels too far? Start B EN W E U U O E R O R H U N B Y Y UC D K E A N L W ELL R V E R O I A N O small and aim to walk 1k you can start anywhere along the route. F A O D A N R D D E Y O B Recreation D

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Visit www.cherwell.gov.uk/health-routes

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Y O A ND R A O LM D W A Primary School for the downloadable maps to follow. D

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P R 0 S O E O 0 K K E A R H Y S W 2K T A E Y E Sports R T S D Centre L IE Bicester School F Community College Recreation Police ground Station Street Tag Street Tag is a family friendly initiative that rewards families and individuals for their physical activities such as walking, running, cycling, among a host of iz other fitness activities. Street Tag brings people of in pr es! w • d C n o all generations together to participate in outdoor a ll e s c t t

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How does Street Tag work? i 1. Install the Street Tag app, create a team and join our local leaderboard 2. Earn points from physical activities indoor and outdoor- walking, running, cycling to scan virtual tags and convert your steps into Street Tag Points 3. Get rewards/win prizes such as amazon vouchers, gift cards, sports equipment and lots more.

Circular walks in the WalkBefore setting out on your walk, please check the council’s Walk historic village trail The Battlefield Walk website for updates in the leaflet text and along the route: historic village trail Flora Thompson (1876 - 1947) GettingWalk there BIRMINGHAM is clearly waymarked in a 12www.cherwell.gov.uk/circular-walks-in-cherwell A448 4A Fringford in the 19th Walk M1 mostly, andThis latterly is a one exclusively, and a quarter under mile the walk management around the village LEAMINGTON Banbury Fringe CircularWalk TheWalk Sibfords Historic Village Trail is a two mile walk around arwick M40W A423 Circular walk About SPA 4 clockwise direction (although B4095 of the Wrenchof Fringford. family. Their handwoven 5 century is now forever and between the villages of Gower,8 livery plush wasREDDITCH 15 it can be walked either way) 14 A423 As its name suggests, the Banbury Fringe Circular Walk will M5 and the hamlet of . A shorter, easy level walk can be 9 The Anglo–Saxon villages of Sheningtonexported to• Fringfordmanyand Alkerton of theis four royal are miles courts north of ofEurope Bicester as offwell the as A4421 13 associated with Flora 6 A422 A46 and village trail WORCESTER Stratford- take you on a ramble right around the urban fringe, where but it helps to follow the upon-Avon enjoyed along the village streets between and 6 12Thompson’sA361 Lark Rise to Getting therementioned in the Doomsday toBook Africa and and bothBuckingham the have Far EastNorman Road. and won a number of awards at A42 2 town meets countryside. Look in one direction and you can The Shutford Circular Walk follows footpaths and 429 A3400 information in this leaflet as A Burdrop for those who want to avoid the steep paths to and 7 Cropredy churches. Alkerton has alwaysinternational been part• Theof exhibitions. route description starts from the car park of the CandlefordM4 trilogy. In it see the bustling market town of Banbury, look the other way A44 0 from Sibford Ferris. you go. The route takes in a bridleways to the south and west of the village, including a A422 P 17 Butchers Arms. Shenington but Shenington was an isolated part of Gloucestershire M5 she recalls her childhood, and you can enjoy the beauty and diversity of its rural setting. Sports section of ancient road past Madmarston Hill. It offers fine with Alkerton BANBURY stretch of the Canal By the 1960’s with the demise of its traditional occupations 43 Ground • The route is on metalled roads except for a quarter ofA44 a mile 11 A422 A The circular walk is clearly waymarked but it helps to follow Car Park M Warwick LEAMINGTON A361 as Flora Timms (Laura), in 40 until 1844. The two parishes were merged in 1970. On 8 and fieldpaths with views views over the surrounding countryside andSP neighbouringA M1 Shipston From its start in the town centre you can set out for the the village was in decline with many properties derelict, B4035 NORTHAMPTON stretch which can be wet and muddy, especially in winter. A429 on Stour Brackley the information in this leafet as you go. Before setting M40 15 14 the western edge of the Parish, Shenlow Hill, at 227 the hamlet of villages. This 4.5 mile/7 km walk starts from the A423 village pub full 10 mile walk. However, if you would prefer a more up and down the tranquil A4 13 16 9 no school, no permanent vicar and for a while no pub. A3400 A4260 A43 out on your walk, please check the council’s website • Many of the buildings described are private dwellings. A4 A361

A 5 d- 15A 4 (Lark Rise) and at school Stratfor metres above sea level, is the highest point on Edgehill and M manageable ramble there are shorter options to enjoy, going Cherwell Valley. Much of (George and Dragon) but there upon-Ais novon designated parking area for updates in the leafet text and along the route: Williamscot 12 Attempts15 to Pleasedraw attention respect the to itsprivacy plight of by residents entering by the10 viewing best from a 10 A421 A361 A43 Bicester from and returning to one of the alternative starting points at the pub or within Shutford so walkers arecommands asked to show fne views to the Malvern Hills in the west and Chipping in (Fordlow) the ground covered was the A3400 www.cherwell.go.uk/circularwalks polite distance. CHELTENHAM Norton A44 A42 kept village competition in 1969 and advertising the village Cropredy using the main roads of Banbury. consideration for residents and other road usersM when parking M1 A40 A before moving to Fringford scene of the Civil War Battle to Northamptonshire40 in the east. 11 40 A41 for sale in an• Take American great carenewspaper when crossingin 1970 orgradually walking bore along the roads. A361 9 Fringford A M40 of Cropredy Bridge in on village streets. GLOUCESTER W(Candlefordoodstock Green). The shorter options include – Town Centre/Spiceball Park A34 Shenington was home to RAF EdgehillMilton during• Park yourWorld car War responsibly. II Do not obstruct gateways, A henington and fruit. KeyneAbandoneds houses were rebuilt or renovated5 and new 40 Kidlington p A42 11 A422 14 M redy A40 S Historic A43 Witney Sibfords June 1644. Getting there A3400 to along the canalCro towpath (2.75 miles/4.5 km); A40 The circular walk is clearly waymarked but itBANBURand helps partY to followof the theold airfeld is used by a thrivingnarrow Gliding lanes and Club village facilities. Shutford ay The fctitious town Banbury ones erected bringing13 new people and with them new life Historic villageBodicote trail to Giant’s Cave - through the village and along The Sibfords Historic Village Trail starts at the Wykham ossew Brackley OXFORD F 8 information in this leaflet as you go. Before setting out on Buckingham Theodore the Hermit and School. In one corner ofto the the airfeld, village. a go–cart club has of CandlefordA is a Circular walk Time 2.5 - 3hrs A4421 *Before setting out on your walk, please check the 34 Distance M the Salt Way (2.5 miles/4 km); Giant’s Cave to the Mineral 4.5 mile/7km 3 40 Battlefield walk Arms Public House in Sibford Gower. Grid reference To A A4 your walk, please check the council’s websiteA361 for updates For many years between S Evesham operated4260 for many years and has providedCouncil’s schooling website for for1 7updates in the leafet text and along combination of Banbury, Bicester and Buckingham. It is a Fringe walk Railway Path through felds, woodlands and along a farm D village L trail Warwic SP352377. Post code OX15 5RXin the leaflet text or alongO the route M k Plus optional village trail 10 A4421 LEAMINGTON - A361 track (2.5 miles/4 km); and Mineral Railwaythe Path wars to Townand until he W some of Britain’s top racing drivers. Thethe old route: ironstoneSPA www.cherwell.gov.uk/circular-walks-in-cherwell quarry unique and vivid picture of village life at the end of the 19th S Chipping Bicester M1 Alkerton T Norton 15 A4 14 www.cherwell.gov.uk/circularwalksO NORTHAMPTON is a short circular walk around 4 A46 By Train: The nearest station is Banbury which links to 13 A423 Centre/Spiceball Park including a stretch ofdied the canalin 1950, Theodore C have been remediated to provide new habitat forM Warwick wildlife. century. There is hardly a page without a memorable phrase

40 LEAMINGTON 16 Circular historic village trail A361

& village trail The Cropredy Village Trail E Stratford- Getting there SPA

R upon-Av A5 I on towpath (2.25 miles/3.6 km). Oxford to the south and Birmingham to the north. A361 9 A4 A41 15 15A M1

Lamb lived the life of the village centre describing some of the more Theinteresting Shutford Village Trail H offersApproximate a short walk 1 mile/1.6 time km walk 12 14 NORTHAMPTON waiting to be quoted. She largely bases Candleford Green on S

A46 A361 A423 15

M A3400 13 D 2. .5 hours40

Shenington16 and Alkerton lie six miles out of Banbury off A43 R Woodstock

A34 A429 Stratford-

Approximate walk time buildings and features. Most of the historical informationaround this once world renownedO CheltenhamTo village (for the weaving of A5 her childhood memories of Fringford, where she worked in

B4011 upon-Avon A You are advised to wear stout, waterproof footweara recluse asin a shack on By Bus: Johnsons Excelbus service No 3A stops at Sibford F 15

2. .5 hours M

Approximate walk time X Kidlington the A422 Stratford upon Avon Road. Travelling towards

12 O A4 M 15 Witney A4 A422 A361 1 is taken from the2. booklet .5 hours “Cropredy, A Village Trail”plush), by pinpointing some of its more interesting features and A3400 walking in the countryside can be muddy and wet, even in Ferris School and linksApproximate to Banbury walk and time Stratford-on-Avon but A4 A43 the village post offce from 1891 to1897. (The 2008 BBC Sibford Heath. A5 2. .5 hours A429 Shutford Stratford, you will see a sign post for the villages on the A418 A429 M40 Silve Pamela Keegan, which describes the whole villagegiving in detail.an insight into its history. The route is steep in places 11 rstone Milton the summer months. The route is clearly waymarked in a OXFORD A3400 A422 3 this is an irregular service so a taxi may be required. 8 BANBUR Keynes M1 series has Laura working in the post offce in Candleford). A34 Thame ay Y A4 left of14 the A422 almost two miles after Wroxton. There A skilled watch and A5 clockwise direction along its full length but it helps to follow and so would be difficult for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Many ossew F B403 Call 01564 797070 for further information. Brackley 13 In many respects, village life had changed very little in the A429 Silverstone Milton Buckingh11 am A422 is no designated parking in either village. Please park A3400 Keynes By train: M the information in this leafet as you go. Pleaseclock take repairer, great Theodore To 14 of the buildings described are private dwellings. Please respect S BANBURY A4421A43

Evesham A361 A4260 D A43 decades before 1876 when she was born. By Car: The Sibfords are eight miles west of Banbury via L considerately so as not to inconvenience residents or The nearest station is Banbury which links to Bicester and O Fosseway care when crossing the busy roads. plied his trade around Brackley the privacy of residents by viewing from a polite distance. W Buckingham S 10 Chipping B4030 A4421 T To M other road users. the B4035. Norto 3 A4421 O n S 40 Oxford to the south and Birmingham to the north. The BICESTERA EveshamA4 A361 A4 Fringford the local villages. He C D 4260 Deference to those above you was the norm and ‘Every

L 4 Town centre car parks are available close to the start of E

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R I Oxford canal towpath where the walk begins is a short W

A361 A41 H 10

S A4421 member of the community knew his or her place and few also played various S Chipping the walk. Alternative starting points on the route also have T 9 A41

D Norton Bicester O R A44

The nearest station is Banbury which links to C Woodstock M walk from the station. O

CheltenhamTo

provision for cars: roadside parking along White Post Road By train: F E A34 wished to change it.’! It was a defning moment just before the instruments and posed X

R Kidlington I

O A40 A361 H The circular walk is clearly waymarked but it helps to follow

Witney A40 A41 About ShutfordBicester and Oxford to the south and Birmingham to the S 9 in Bodicote; a small area for parking off the Broughton Road A41

for photographs for D A40 agricultural depression of the 1870s and 1880s and before

R Woodstock M40 O CheltenhamTo the information in this leafet as you go. Before setting

The area around Shutfordnorth. has F OXFORD A34

near Giant’s Cave; and along Ferriston near the mineral For bus services visit: X B4011 O A40A34 8 Kidlington the impact of major changes in health, housing and education. which he charged a fee l l Witney A40 e 8 out on your walk, please check the council’s website railway path. w A40

Banbury has good bus connections within the town and beenr settled since ancient

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r OXFORD for updatesA418 in the leafet text and along the route: e

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with other locations within Oxfordshire, and i A34 8 Acknowledgements times thoughR the villageFor itself bus services visit: *Please check www.cherwell.gov.uk/circular-walks-in-cherwell Thame www.cropredyvillage.info/welcome.htm and go to the www.cherwell.gov.uk/circularwalksnot until 1945 that the Lark Rise trilogy was published. to ensure you have the latest version of thisHe leafettravelled around, sometimesNorthamptonshire. on a bicycle without Coach tyres, services from furtherThis afeld leafet are was originally researchedis probably and of writtenSaxon origin. by sometimes on foot, and usuallyalso with available. some form of truck ‘Our Village’ tab. Getting there including any temporary alterations. the Sibfords Society. WatercolourFor centuries illustrations it was by a Nigelmainly Getting thereThe Fringford Historic Trail starts at the Butchers Arms Acknowledgements loaded with junk and, in the winter, his fre in a bucket as Fletcher. Designed by Cherwellagricultural District communityCouncil’s Design though The Shutford Circular Walk starts at the George and Cropredy is 4 miles north of Banbury. Take the Public House. To fnd it on a mapping website or using This leafet was originally researched and written by the well. He always paid for his smallBy car: needs, although when Service. Thanks are due to theassociated landowners trades whose of brewing, By car: Dragon Public House. To find it on a mapping website or Distance 1mile/1.6km Time 1 hour Southam Road (A423)The north 170 dwellingsfrom Banbury and 380and thenor so turn inhabitants satellite are navigation, now the grid reference is 605285 and Martin Greenwood for Fringford Parish Council. Watercolour his clothing, which was oftenThe made walk from starts sacks, in the became town centre where carco-operation parking has helped tomalting, make the spinning, walk possible. weaving, hat using satellitethe navigation, post code isthe OX27 grid 8EB.reference is SP352377 right to and throughwithout Great Bourtona village shopto Cropredy. but are still served by Shenington’s illustrations by Julie Barrett. Designed by Cherwell District less than decent he was bannedis available. from Banbury and had to and stocking making are known and the post code is OX15 5RX. Bell Inn and Church of primaryBy school. Train: Shenington The nearest station is Bicester North which and South Northamptonshire Councils’ Design Service. wait at the door of the village shop to be served. He was to have existed too. In 1701The Cropredymany of the Battlefield buildings wereWalk and Village TrailBy both Train: start The nearest station is Banbury which links to The photographs are courtesy of Margaret Allen, Fringford The walks in this leafletWellbeing are based, Cherwell on village District streets Council, and Village Hall, originally established as a Readinglinks to Oxford Room and London to the south and Banbury and always totally honest and completely harmless despite his destroyed by fire but by at1774 the itCropredy had become Sports one Ground, of the where free parkingBicester is and Oxford to the south and Birmingham to the Village Hall, Bill Plumb, the Butchers Arms and Oxfordshire CC official public rightsBodicote of way (footpathsHouse, Bodicote, or bridleways). Banbury, TheOxon, OX15 4AA Library, now serves both villages and isBirmingham a venue for to club the north. A taxi would then be required appearance. He was an immenselyThe walks strong in this man leafet and onceare based on roads in the town available every day during daylight hours. Pleasenorth. note A there taxi would then be required as the bus service Photographic Archive. Thanks are due to the owners of the publishers accept noTelephone: responsibility 01295 for 221980any loss,largest injury villages or in the area with 71 houses. as the bus service through Fringford is very irregular. pulled a chicken hut for manyand miles offcial back public to Sibford rights taking of way (footpaths or bridleways). is a 2.2 metre heightmeetings, barrier. Walkerssocial events are requested andthrough elections. not Shutford to The proximity is very irregular. Butchers Arms for allowing walkers to use their car park. Village Trail: The publishers accept noinconvenience responsibility for sustained anyEmail: loss, [email protected] injury anyone using thisShutford leaflet. becameVillage trail: known Distance around 1. 25 themiles/2Km world asto a Banburycentre and the M40, the school, theBy Car:beautiful Fringford is 18 miles south east of Banbury and four several days over the journey. www.cherwell.gov.uk/circularwalks/circular-walks-in- park their cars elsewhere in the village. To findBy the Car: car Shutford park is 5 miles west of Banbury. Take the Village trail: Distance 1 mile/1.6km Time 1 hour or inconvenience sustained*Please by anyonecheck www.cherwell.gov.uk using this leafet. for the weaving of plush, the top grade of whichcountryside is a and the charm of the old mileshornton north stone of Bicester off the A4421 Buckingham Road. Telephone: 01295 221980 Distance Distance 2 miles/3.4Km Circular walk: Distance 4.5 miles Time 2. 5 -3 hour Time 1 hour on a mapping website or using satellite navigation,Shutford the Roadgrid from Lower off the B4035 Email: [email protected] up to 10 miles/16km cherwell to ensures you have the latest versionluxurious of this silk map fabric. Beginning as 1a cottage industrybuildings, in the have combined to make the parish a desirable JB August04480. 08/2020 2020 edition reference is 471465 and the nearest post code(Shipston is OX17 JBon1PQ. 04476. Stour 08/2020 Road) 01295 221980 [email protected] 1 Time 1.5 hours Battlefield Walk: Distance 1.5 mile/2.4km 1 (shorter routes available) Oxford Canal towpath Village trail: Distance 1 mile Timeincluding 1 hour any temporary alterations.* November17th 2019century, edition manufacture continued here untilarea 1947 in which to settle. 1 Distance 4.5 mile /7km Time 2.5 - 3hrs Time 1 hour 1 Time up to 4 hours JB 04406. 13/08/2018 1 The outdoors is a great place for exercise which has numerous benefits for health and well-being, especially at a time when we have all been experiencing social isolation and anxiety. We have a number of circular routes to help you explore the North Oxfordshire countryside and walk through its picturesque villages learning about their history as you go. There are short or longer walks to choose from at www.cherwell.gov.uk/circular-walks-in-cherwell get involved…