Swinford Bridge from Lower Wolvercote

Oxfordshire Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

This Oxfordshire walk explores a section of the River Thames to the west of Oxford. The start is the Port Meadow, Godstow car park (grid ref. SP487094) which can be reached from the A40/A44 roundabout about 3 miles north of the city centre. The route is easy to follow and undemanding.

After parking, exit the car park, cross the road, and turn left along Godstow Road using the pavement. Almost immediately, cross the bridge over a branch of the River Thames (care needed). Continue along the pavement, pass the Trout Inn on your right. Continue across another bridge over the mainstream of the Thames. Immediately turn right down steps to gain the Thames Path beside the river (which will be on your right). Follow the Thames path for six kilometres to reach Eynsham Lock and Swinford Bridge (grid ref. SP443086).

Retrace your steps along the Thames Path and continue to reach Wytham Great Wood after 800 metres. Continue for a further 400 metres to bear right away from the river onto the path waymarked with yellow arrows with the wood on your immediate right. You are now following the Oxford Greenbelt Way. Continue to the end of the wood and turn right onto a track (grid ref. TP462096). The path bears left and then right to regain the edge of the wood.

Turn left onto a track, and after a few metres turn right through a gap. Cross two fields with field boundary on your right. Turn left and follow the clear path alongside the hedge on your left. The path meets a lane. Go straight ahead and continue along a clear track to Wytham Mill where you continue straight ahead across a bridge. Bear half right and follow the path which leads back to the Thames Path. Turn right under the A34 and continue with the river on your left to Godstow Bridge. Climb the steps up to the road and turn left back to the start.

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