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.