Ride and Stride Routes

A walk of approximately 5 miles, which allowing (at least) 10 minutes per church can be completed comfortably within 3 hours, although a more in-depth visit could include longer spent in each church, a visit to Cogges Manor Farm, or a look round Witney.

A walk of just over 9 miles, from Folly Bridge to Radley via the Thames Path, crossing the river at the locks to visit St Mary’s Church, Iffley and St Andrew’s Church, Sandford on Thames, before the final destination of St James the Great, Radley. The walking time is about 4 hours, before adding on at least 10 minutes to look round each church, and perhaps more time to break for lunch at one of the pubs in Iffley or Sandford. There are also a couple of nature reserves adjacent to the Thames Path that would be worth stopping for. Or why not, when in Oxford, call into the Cathedral? This could easily be an enjoyable whole-day excursion.

A walk of around 6 miles, which allowing (at least) 10 minutes per church could be completed within about 4 hours, although the interest of the different churches, and of Burford itself, would repay a more in-depth visit. The walking is reasonably undemanding, with only a few stiles to negotiate on the path between Widford and Burford, and although there is a fair component of road walking the main stretch (Fulbrook to Swinbrook) is along a single-track lane with comparatively little traffic.

A walk of approximately six miles between Thame and Towersey, incorporating visits to their respective churches, can be comfortably completed in around four hours. However, the history and architectural interest of both churches and the charming town of Thame warrant a more leisurely exploration. The walking is gentle, with predominantly level paths and only a few stiles. While there are sections of road walking, the main stretch is along a quiet single-track lane.

A walk of between 4 and 5 miles (if done as a circular route, with an optional side trip to Besselsleigh), connecting three churches between the Thames and the A420 in what was once Berkshire. If as I did you start and finish by bus, beginning with Cumnor has the advantage that at no point do you need to cross the A420 on foot, something that needs to be done with care. Most of the route is easy walking; the only point to consider if taking the fieldpath route from Besselsleigh to Cumnor is that at one point after wet weather the path can be extremely muddy. (Even in a dry spell it is likely to be damp, although quite negotiable.) The walk can be comfortably done in between 3 and 4 hours, and with the Bear and Ragged Staff at Cumnor and the Greyhound at Besselsleigh there are possibilities for refreshment at each end.