Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ian-schneider-dqMxDqdhg_4-unsplash.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140707" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ian-schneider-dqMxDqdhg_4-unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ian-schneider-dqMxDqdhg_4-unsplash-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ian-schneider-dqMxDqdhg_4-unsplash-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ian-schneider-dqMxDqdhg_4-unsplash-786x525.jpg 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Walk and lunch in Stockenchurch, nr Wycombe (moderate, 8.8km)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="849" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/bar-6.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-140708" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/bar-6.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/bar-6-800x679.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/bar-6-400x340.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/bar-6-618x525.jpeg 618w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Sir Charles Napier </figcaption></figure>



<p>This undulating walk in true Chilterns country is a tour through woodland, tracks and up and down hillsides with rewarding views and good eats, whether you like your pubs at the gastro or pint-and-chips end of the scale. Start either in Stokenchurch at <a href="https://royaloakstokenchurch.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Royal Oak</a> if you fancy a curry for lunch (the Nepalese kitchen here is renowned), <a href="https://www.crownradnage.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Crown</a> at Radnage for next-level pub classics plus tapas and pizza, or <a href="http://www.sircharlesnapier.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sir Charles Napier</a> for a true blow-out though you&#8217;ll need to remove your muddy hiking boots for this refined restaurant, a fave of Raymond Blanc no less. Oh, and the walk? It&#8217;s a circular route from wherever you started with mostly farm tracks and paths and some steeper climbs. It&#8217;s a good one for dog walkers but would be challenging for buggies and wheelchairs. Get the full route <a href="http://wildthinguk.co.uk/walks/village-walks/village-walks-in-oxfordshire/stokenchurch-and-radnage-walk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thames views in Goring &amp; Streatley (moderate, 7.2km)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="983" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.50.22.png" alt="" class="wp-image-140709" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.50.22.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.50.22-800x786.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.50.22-400x393.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.50.22-534x525.png 534w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There are two steep ascents and descents on this fabulous lung-opener overlooking Goring and Streatley, but it&#8217;s totally worth it for the scenery and to earn that post-walk lunch or cake (more on that shortly). Park in the National Trust Lardon Chase car park then head through woodland along the ridge of the downs and steeply down towards the Thames before climbing back up Lardon Chase to finish. It&#8217;s fab for dogs and kids thanks to the woodland interest but not wheelchair accessible. You can save lunch until the end or  take it mid-way at <a href="https://www.bullinnpub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bull Inn</a> in Streatley or <a href="https://pierreponts.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierreponts</a> cafe just across the bridge in Goring. Get the full route <a href="http://www.roundreadingwalk.co.uk/walks-from-railway-stations/goring-and-lardon-chase-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">An accessible walk around Black Park, Langley (easy, 1.5-5km)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="478" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/black_park_020.jpg.crop_display-720x478.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-113609" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/black_park_020.jpg.crop_display-720x478.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/black_park_020.jpg.crop_display-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/black_park_020.jpg.crop_display-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/black_park_020.jpg.crop_display-791x525.jpg 791w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/black_park_020.jpg.crop_display.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>The glorious woodland and heathland expanse of Black Park in South Bucks is a walkers paradise (plus there&#8217;s cycling, Go Ape and a playground to boot). The miles of tracks and trails are hard stony paths and there is a tarmac path around the lake, with no stiles and only a few gates and cattle grids around the park. Also, the <a href="http://blackparkcafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">café</a>, which has a broad appeal menu and lots of hot dishes, is accessible for wheelchairs. All-in-all it makes Black Park a perfect place for family groups with littlies or oldies who want everyone to be able to join in. There&#8217;s a big car park where you can buy a ticket online if you don&#8217;t have any cash handy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-wonders-in-whiteleaf-princes-risborough-challenging-12km">Ancient wonders in Whiteleaf, Princes Risborough (challenging, 12km)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/diningroom1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-140710" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/diningroom1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/diningroom1-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/diningroom1-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/diningroom1-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>The Plough</figcaption></figure>



<p>Those extra mince pies and martinis over Xmas will be guilt-free if you tackle this whopper &#8211; a 7.5 mile romp that starts in classic Chiltern woodlands near Whiteleaf, past the pre-historic site, Grim&#8217;s Ditch, through the grounds of Hampden House and it&#8217;s 400-year-old cedar trees, past the 13th Century Church of St Mary Magdalene (one of two churches on this epic trail) and more neolithic sites, before finishing up back at the Bucks County Council car park at Whiteleaf Hill where you started. As for refreshment, along the route you&#8217;ve got <a href="https://ploughatcadsden.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Plough at Cadsden</a>, which claims to be the only pub actually located on the Ridgeway, and perfect for a drink and a bowl of soup/chips, plus it welcomes dogs in the bar. This walk is good for dogs with only a short section on quiet roads, but not so buggy and wheelchair friendly due to uneven terrain and moderate gradients. Get the full route <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/chilterns-countryside/whiteleaf-and-the-hampdens-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. The nearby <a href="https://www.chilternsaonb.org/visit-chilterns/explore-our-map/#402" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brush Hill reserve</a> has walking routes that are accessible with kissing gates that are suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mystery and revolution at Chastleton, nr Chipping Norton (moderate, 6.4km)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Kingham-Plough-pub-Cotswolds-dining-2.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-140711" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Kingham-Plough-pub-Cotswolds-dining-2.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Kingham-Plough-pub-Cotswolds-dining-2-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Kingham-Plough-pub-Cotswolds-dining-2-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Kingham-Plough-pub-Cotswolds-dining-2-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>The Kingham Plough </figcaption></figure>



<p>This Cotswolds ramble starts in the pretty village of Adelstrop where you can park in the village hall car park (a small donation is requested). From there, it&#8217;s a few stile leaps into the Chastleton Estate, which was built on land purchased from Robert Catesby, one of the Gunpowder plotters. One of the highlights is the iron age hill fort, Chastleton Barrow, encircled by trees. The excavated ancient pottery found there is now on display at the Ashmolean in Oxford. It&#8217;s hilly at times with a few gates and stiles so no great for buggies and not for wheelchairs. Dogs will love the woodlands, with just a few sections needing to be on a lead. For a post-walk ale there&#8217;s the <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/kingham-plough-cotswolds-pub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Kingham Plough</a> and all the delights that Daylesford has to offer a few minutes away. Get the full route <a href="https://www.ratedtrips.com/walking/adlestrop-to-chastleton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pub-to-pub in Cumnor, near Oxford (moderate/easy, 8.8km)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-19-at-10.12.17.png" alt="" class="wp-image-140728" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-19-at-10.12.17.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-19-at-10.12.17-800x600.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-19-at-10.12.17-400x300.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-19-at-10.12.17-700x525.png 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>The Greyhound </figcaption></figure>



<p>This walk, mostly on paths, tracks and some quiet country lanes, is a bit of a pub crawl, with four establishments on the route (that&#8217;s not a challenge) The <a href="https://www.bearandraggedstaff.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bear &amp; Ragged Staff</a> in Cumnor, <a href="https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/greyhound/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound</a> in Besselsleigh, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eightbellsthaicuisine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Eight Bells</a> at Eaton and <a href="https://theferrymaninn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ferryman Inn</a> at Bablock Hythe. Given the proximity to the River Thames the landscape is pretty flat here so it&#8217;s easy going, and aside from the pubs, look out for the ruins of Cumnor Place, a grand manor that&#8217;s steeped in mystery after the unsolved death of the Lady of the house in 1560. Get the full route <a href="https://www.ratedtrips.com/walking/cumnor-place-to-bablock-hythe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A twitcher&#8217;s paradise in Otmoor, north of Oxford (easy, 7.5km)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Reedbed_Otmoor_Colin_Wilkinson_low_res.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-140730" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Reedbed_Otmoor_Colin_Wilkinson_low_res.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Reedbed_Otmoor_Colin_Wilkinson_low_res-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Reedbed_Otmoor_Colin_Wilkinson_low_res-400x225.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Reedbed_Otmoor_Colin_Wilkinson_low_res-900x507.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image: Colin Wilkinson </figcaption></figure>



<p>The RSPB reserve at Otmoor is a slice of wilderness that&#8217;s well known for its birds, though it was a rare butterfly breeding there that caused the route of the M40 to be changed in the 1980s. This easy-going and flat circuit takes you around the reserve and as well as river views there&#8217;s the pretty Noke Wood at the southern end. For obvious reasons dogs must be kept on a lead most of the time, plus there&#8217;s also a firing range nearby. It&#8217;s do-able with a robust buggy and parts of the reserve are wheelchair accessible including one of the hides. You can extend the walk north for a few kms up to Charlton-on-Otmoor if you want to fit in a pub lunch at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thecrownotmoor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Crown</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Oxfordshire villages around Blewbury (easy, 7.1km)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/234907137_145297261019496_869210963763295016_n.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-140731" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/234907137_145297261019496_869210963763295016_n.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/234907137_145297261019496_869210963763295016_n-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/234907137_145297261019496_869210963763295016_n-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/234907137_145297261019496_869210963763295016_n-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This circuit from Blewbury&#8217;s picture-perfect village pub, <a href="https://www.theredlionblewbury.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Red Lion</a>, is an easy-going ramble through some quintessential English villages (in fact the now King Charles is said to have modelled his Poundbury village in Dorset on the community of Blewbury). From Blewbury the route continues to Upton and then West Hagbourne before returning across country to Blewbury for a warming pub lunch by the fire. A robust buggy would manage this walk but it would be challenging on muddy days. Get the full route <a href="https://www.visorando.co.uk/walk-the-red-lion-route-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>



<p><strong><em>These boots were made for walking&#8230;</em></strong></p>



<p><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/stunning-walks-chilterns-oxfordshire-buckinghamshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">7 stunning walks in the Chilterns</a><br><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/dog-walks-pubs-oxfordshire-buckinghamshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">11 pretty dog walks with pub pitstops</a><br><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/best-walks-views-oxfordshire-buckinghamshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">8 stunning hilltop walks</a></p>


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