Witney, Curbridge, Brize Norton, Swinbrook, Astall, Minster Lovell, Witney

A 21-mile journey, taking around 4-5 hours, this route combines historic churches, picturesque villages, and scenic countryside. Starting at St. Mary’s Church in Cogges, this leisurely cycle tour explores the charming villages of Witney, Curbridge, Brize Norton, Swinbrook, Astall, and Minster Lovell. The terrain is generally easy to moderate, with some gentle hills. Note: While the route is generally straightforward, there are a few road crossings, particularly at the A40. Exercise caution and dismount if necessary for safety.

Please note, this route has been submitted by a Ride + Stride Participant and has not been tested by Ride + Stride organisers. 

1. Start at St. Mary, Cogges, up Church Lane, left onto Newland and to the Newland Methodist Church. From there to Holy Trinity Woodgreen via Pens Close and Woodlands Rd.

2. We suggest retrace your route back to St. Mary, Cogges then across the Langel into Witney. Then visit the Witney Churches in this order – St Mary the Virgin Church Green, High St. Methodist Church, Congregational Church Welch Way, Davenport Rd Methodist Church and Our Lady and St. Hugh Tower Hill.

3. Take the road to Curbridge. Turn right into Curbridge, St John the Baptist will be on your right.

4. Continue on the road towards Carterton. At the mini roundabout turn left, St Britus Brize Norton is just past the next roundabout.

5. Return the way you came back towards the Curbridge, Minster Lovell roads at the next junction turn left, this takes you along the top end of Brize Norton. At the next junction turn right onto the new road the immediately left signposted Swinbrook. Continue along the road until you reach the A40, turn left then almost immediately right on a road that will take you to Swinbrook. NB At the A40 safest to dismount your bike, cross the road and remount when you reach the Swinbrook Rd. Down the hill follow the road into Swinbrook and visit St Mary’s Church – an interesting one, the famous Mitford sisters are buried in the Churchyard.

6. Towards the back of the Churchyard on your left there is a gate. Go through this, follow the path across the field to St. Oswalds Church, Widford.

7. From this Church follow the path and track that takes you back to the road, turn left and follow road back towards Swinbrook. At the crossroads straight on and head for Astall to visit St Nicholas Church.

8. From Astall head for the Burford Road up the hill. At the top of the hill turn left and take the road to Minster Lovell. At Minster Lovell take the first left down the hill to Old Minster Lovell, over the bridge turn right and follow the road to St Kenelm’s Church. If you are feeling fit, you could after visiting this Church return to Witney via Crawley. Simply turn right at the road but this will add another 2 miles to the journey.

9. Return the way you came except after crossing the bridge turn right up the hill and join the cycle path back to Witney.