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Oxford has many family-friendly routes, but we have picked one that combines the riverside with the newly improved Willow Walk as an illustration. Parts of this route are possible, or link it north on the canal, or go further south on the river for a longer route.
Route (3.6 miles each way)
We’ll assume you start at Redbridge Park and Ride. From the ticket machines, turn right and follow the cycle track across the car entrance (care) and down a slope under a roundabout.
Turn left and climb up the other side.
Turn right and follow the cycle track alongside the Southern Bypass, crossing the smaller Hinksey Stream.
Just before the much larger River Thames, turn left down a tarmac slope to the riverside path. There’s a fence to stop you falling in the river.
Turn left towards Oxford on the shared path. As the sign says, Share Respect Enjoy.
You’ll pass Iffley Lock, the Isis Farmhouse pub, several college boathouses and go under Donnington Bridge before arriving at Folly Bridge.
Here you cross at the signals, and continue on the shared path.
You’ll go past Grandpont Bridge, made of steel, and the more elegant ‘Gasworks bridge’ made of brick, which has an interesting curved ramp on the other side. But keep going, under the railway bridge (mind you head) and over a narrow bridge across a stream.
Soon after this, on the left, take a tarmac track with a wooden bollard to Osney Mead.
Turn right, staying to the nearside pavement where there is a shared cycle path. Keep going past the Fishmarket to the end of this road.
Now keep the same direction by crossing the road on a ‘Parallel crossing’ (a Zebra crossing with an extra bit for cycling) and onto Willow Walk. This is newly surfaced in 2023 with a new bridge across the Bulstake Stream.
Keep following Willow Walk to the bridge over Seacourt Stream, which is an older bridge. Admire the stream and turn round here.
If you miss this, Willow Walk ends at North Hinksey Lane shortly afterwards.
From there, return the way you came.
Things to do
You could divert into Oxford, where there is lots to do. Unfortunately bike theft is a thing, so lock your bikes securely in a visible location.
The park that Willow Walk passes through has Oatlands Road playground, found by taking a diversion to the right of the main track, and then turning right again on a path with no tarmac that crosses another bridge.
Or, divert your route out or back to follow National Cycle Route 5, and visit Hinksey Playground.
Access
By Rail: From Oxford station, use the pedestrian bridge to cross the road, then go through the walking/cycling tunnel under the tracks (you’ll have to push until a new bridge in 2024 makes this much better). Then cycle in the cycle lane for about 300 metres to Bridge Street – not marked, but there’s a bridge, and you might see the Holly Bush pub (see pic). Turn immediate left and follow the road round to The Punter pub, then take to the riverside path, push past the lock and you will soon reach the bollarded path to Osney Mead on your right.
By Car: Park and the Park and Ride, and cycle from there.
This combines two short out-and-back routes from Cogges farm, so you can choose how far you go up each. The first leg involves a climb up into residential areas, so is maybe more about the cycling than the views, but shows the benefit of good urban planning. The second leg, takes you across the lovely Langel Common, a nice spot for nature and picnics.
Route (1.8 miles combined round trip)
(Leg 1) If you start at the car park or Cogges farm, turn right on Mud Lane. Follow this as it narrows down into a cycling and walking path past the school playing field.
Continue, working your way uphill. You will cross Cogges Hill Road and Stanton Harcourt Road (with concrete and wooden bollards). Then the track levels off and goes through a nice tree covered section between Stanton Harcourt Road and housing, with a couple of side road turnings to cross (little traffic on these).
Eventually, at Eton Close, you can go no further and you have to turn round and return to Cogges Farm.
(Leg 2) Looking out of Cogges Farm, turn left, and at the corner left again onto Church Lane. Follow this over a bridge over the stream – Madley Brook. You are now on Langel Common – stop off to explore as you wish!
After entering trees and crossing a second river, River Windrush, turn right and proceed to a road just past a barrier (there is a crossing to Waitrose here). Don’t cross, but turn left and go about 50 metres on the shared pavement (cycling permitted) to a roundabout.
Turn left through another barrier to re-enter the common. Keep going on this path which you will soon recognise and will take you back to Cogges.
Things to do
Cogges Manor Farm: A historic living farm, with exhibits, adventure play and café.
Langel Common: A good place for nature spotting or a picnic
There is a playground just outside Cogges farm. Witney town centre is nearby with shops, cafes, and more.
Access
Rail: Witney no longer has a railway station. Some hope that one day it will have one again.
Car: Cogges farm has a car park in Cogges Hill Road
A ride in Banbury’s country park, and around the reservoir. Flat, but the reservoir path is a rougher track.
Route (2.1 miles round trip)
Start from the Riverside car park off Cherwell Drive (long stay). Enter Spiceball Park to the back right of the car park, by several bollards, on a track with a line up the middle.
Follow this track as it winds up the park, about half a mile to its end, go under the dual-carriageway, and leave the park. There may be a few cars around here, but they should be travelling slowly.
Turn right then left, to enter the reservoir past a fence with some blue signs.
Cycle round the reservoir, clockwise or anticlockwise.
Then come back to the reservoir entry, turn right then left to re-enter Spiceball Park.
And follow the same cycle track back to the car park.
Things to do
At the park: There is a big play area near the car park, and lots of grass and trees to play around in.
At the reservoir: You may see some sailing dinghies in action and water birds.
Just opposite is The Light, a cinema with diner. (Many other places nearby)
Access
By rail: Spiceball Park is a half-mile cycle from Banbury Railway Station. Most of this route can be done on the canal path, however, the last 200 metres is on unprotected roads, with wide junctions.
By car: Riverside car park (long stay) off Cherwell Drive.
A quiet and flat off-road route in a motor dominated town. The track is quite pleasant, although it is an ‘out-and-back’ without very much to do on the way. It can be muddy in places after wet weather.
Route (2.1 miles each way)
From the car park cross the road and turn right.
Go round the corner and you will find the Salt Way sign. Follow this.
Keep going to the A361 where there is a Toucan crossing, slightly to the left. Cross here, go a bit further left and the traffic free path continues.
Follow this to Broughton Road (B4035). This is as far as the trail goes and you’ll need to turn round and head back.
Things to do
At the start and end: There is a large playing field with a small children’s playground.
Cotefield Nurseries, about 1 mile from the start is a good option for food and drink, the cycling route is mostly quiet if you can find the alley that links from Molyneux Drive to Cotefield Drive.
Access
By rail: Banbury has a railway station, and this is a further 1.7 mile cycle ride, but has only painted lanes and a climb to the start. Only advisable if you are more confident cyclists, and then you would probably choose a different route.
By car: Start on the west end of the route at Blackwell Drive car park in Bodicote ‘gifted to the community by David Wilson Homes’.
The Phoenix Trail is a greenway between Thame and Princes Risborough. It is free from motor traffic and so ideal for a family day out and popular with people walking, and with wheelchairs, pushchairs, cycles and horses. The trail was formerly a railway line, so it is very straight and flat, and suitable for a wide range of cyclists. The surface is mainly compacted limestone with some sections of tarmac. It is part of Route 57 of the National Cycle Network between Oxford an St Albans.
It can be ridden in either direction, but we’ll describe it from the Thame end.
Route (8 miles each way)
Starting at Thame Leisure Centre, head downhill to the left of the buildings and to the right of the multi-use courts. Notice the amazing sculpture at the top of the telegraph pole by Lucy Casson.
Turn right at a T-junction onto the path and bear left at the corner to join the main trail towards Princes Risborough. To your left is Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve and you cross the brook on an old railway bridge.
You go across a couple of tracks: Moreton Lane and Windmill Road. Turning left on either of these would take you towards Thame town centre. From Moreton Lane on Southern Road there is a recreation ground with children’s play area.
Continuing along the trail, you will go under a bridge to the site of the station. On the old platform there is a sculpture called Curved Bench by Steve Elderkin. You will also see Man-Made Forest by Leigh Roberts.
You will cross a main road at a Toucan Crossing and, after about a mile you will pass the magnificent sculpture (known as ‘Winged Seat’ designed by Angus Ross) to reach a bridge.
This bridge was known as ‘Towersey Halt’ and it used to serve a railway stop for residents of the village of Towersey to catch trains to Oxford or Princes Risborough.
To Towersey
You can go down the ramp and turn left along a minor road to visit Towersey and perhaps enjoy a drink in the garden at the Three Horseshoes pub.
As you continue along the trail, you will see Three Characters on Poles, more sculptures by Lucy Casson. There is a chicane at Hinton Crossing and the route veers left and the right. Further down there is a narrow part through trees at the former Bledlow station where you cross a minor road.
Nearing Princes Risborough, you will cross over the B4009 at a bridge and go down a ramp onto a rough track. This is the end of the Phoenix Trail.
To Princes Risborough
If you wish to continue to Princes Risborough town, go straight on and there is a level crossing where the Chinnor to Princes Risborough line crosses the route.
Follow this byway, bear left and then right into a quiet lane (Horsenden Lane) and pass tennis courts and cricket pitch on your left.
At the end, you turn left over the railway down Picts Lane. Take care as this section can be busy with motor traffic.
Turn left onto Station Road and then turn right on Manor Park Avenue (sign NCR 57, Town Centre). Follow this residential road, it becomes Church Street and arrives in the town centre.
Things to do
At the start: Thame has a market on Tuesdays and has many independent shops, parks, cafés, pubs and restaurants. There is a museum and a Victorian town hall where you can pick up leaflets showing various walking routes around the town.
On the trail: There are several wooden artworks crafted by students of the former Rycotewood College. Many of these are seats and serve as resting places for visitors to stop and take in the beautiful surroundings or have a picnic. You will, no doubt, spot Red Kites in the sky above and enjoy views of the spectacular Chiltern Hills. You may be lucky and see a steam train near Princes Risborough, on the popular vintage railway line from Chinnor.
At the end: Princes Risborough market is on Thursdays and there are lots of cafés, shops, pubs and restaurants. There is a festival week in June.
Access
By cycle: This trail is part of Route 57 of the National Cycle Network
Bike shops: Thame Cycles (Thame), Phoenix Cycles (Towersey)
By rail: The nearest train station to Thame is Haddenham Parkway. While the cycling route from there is under 3 miles, but not pleasant. There is a campaign for a traffic-free cycle path – we urge you to support it! Princes Risborough has a station on the Chiltern line with direct trains from Bicester, Oxford, Oxford Parkway, Aylesbury and London Marylebone
Haddenham and Thame Parkway station is not recommended as the roads to Thame are busy with fast-moving traffic. There is a campaign for a traffic-free greenway – we urge you to support it! Contact Haddenham Safe Walking and Cycling Campaign: [email protected]
By car: Thame Leisure Centre. (The centre of Thame is attractive, but parking can be busy.)
At princes Risborough, park next to the B4009, or use the long-term parking in the town centre.
Made in the Cotswolds. Published by Éditions Système D Ltd.
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