Like many people during 2020 and into 2021, we (the Project X Team) have spent most of our free time getting outdoors, exploring our local area by foot with the Office Dogs and heading to our favourite walking spots in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. We have actually found that lockdown has helped us to explore places close by to us that we’ve never had the chance to explore because we have previously been so busy adventuring elsewhere!
Project X is based in Harwell, a village in the South Oxfordshire countryside. We are about 20 mins south of Oxford and 25 mins north of Newbury.
This blog is a collection of some of our favourite walking spots he have visited in the last 12 months. We decided to include info about parking, route options (including good pub locations), terrain, facilities and whether it’s dog friendly. We’ve also included a little bit about the wildlife and conservation taking place in each of these spots to help our local eco-system thrive and the bio-diversity grow.
So here’s our Project X Top 5: Walking Spots in Oxfordshire & Berkshire…
1. Greenham Common, Newbury
Parking
There are three large car parks dotted along Burys Bank Road, with the main car park being at the Control Tower in the middle of the common and two smaller car parks either end; Pyle Hill and Old Thornford Road.
The entry fee is on a donation basis, this is to support the Berkshire Wildlife Trust with the work they are doing to protect the wildlife found here.
Route Options
It is very easy to walk in a circular route around Greenham Common and cover a good distance at the same time. There is a circular path all the way around the main part of the common, with smaller paths expanding out of the main common. There are waymarked routes to follow around the common.
Terrain
The main paths are all gravel, with the smaller paths being a mix of gravel and mud. It’s ideal terrain for cycling, buggies and families. I’d recommend Boots in the winter months and trainers for the summer months.
Facilities
YES – On-Site Facilities
There is an onsite cafe, serving refreshments, along with toilets at the Control Tower by the main carpark.
Dog Friendly
YES
The common is dog friendly. However, there are grazing animals – Exmoor Ponies and cattle, as well as ground-nesting birds. Dogs are to be kept on a lead during nesting season which is 1st March to 31st July.
Wildlife
Greenham Common is protected by the Wildlife Trusts. The common is at the heart of the West Berkshire Living Landscape, which covers over 27km2 of lowland heathland, reedbeds, rivers, streams and woodland. This a fragile and threatened habitat full of very special wildlife, particularly ground-nesting bird species such as Nightjar, Woodlark and Lapwing.
This disused RAF base is now the largest area of lowland heathland remaining in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Learn more about walking at Greenham Common
2. Ridgeway, West Ilsley & East Hendred
Parking
There are two car parks either side of the road at Bury Down in West Ilsley and one car park at Scutchamer Knob in East Hendred, all with access to the Ridgeway East and West. There is no fee to park, so at times these car parks can get very busy.
Route Options
East towards Streatley is a really nice stretch of the Ridgeway, with lots of paths coming off the main route. This is great for walking in a circular route and exploring the surrounding villages; Chilton, Blewbury, Upton, Compton, Easy Ilsley, Aldworth and Streatley. There are some lovely pubs in these villages too, so great to stop off for a mid-hike refreshment.
West towards Wantage is also a great stretch of the Ridgeway, there are fewer paths meandering off the main route, but none-the-less a great spot for walking. There are some circular route options, however, you may have to walk along a road to meet back up with a path. There are also lots of surrounding villages with great pubs along the way; West Ilsley, Farnborough, Chilton, West Ginge, East & West Hendred, Ardington and Lockinge.
Terrain
The main path for this stretch of the Ridgeway is a well kept. It can get quite muddy in the winter months but it easy to walk on. I’d recommend boots all year round, especially the winter months. This section of the Ridgeway in particular is open for walkers, horse riders and cyclists, however past Streatley there are sections where cyclists are not permitted.
Facilities
NO FACILITIES
The Ridgeway is part of the Nationals Trails Network, whilst there are no specific information centres or cafes along this stretch, there are plenty of surrounding villages with some great pubs and cafes.
Dog Friendly
YES
This is a great place to walk your dogs. There are many farms dotted along this stretch, so dogs should be kept under control and away from livestock.
Wildlife
The Ridgeway is the oldest road in Britain, and for at least 5,000 years this path has been used by drovers, traders and invaders, keeping villages connected along the ridge of chalk hills. It stretches across the North Wessex Downs and Chilterns (both Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
This particular stretch is in the North Wessex Downs and takes you from woodlands to rolling hills. The Friends of the Ridgeway is a voluntary organisation that works to protect and maintain this ancient path and the wildlife found along the way.
Learn more about walking along the Ridgeway
3. Culham Lock, Abingdon
Parking
At Culham Lock there is a large car park just by the lock and bridges. There is no fee for parking.
Route Options
The Thames Path is the main path along this stretch of the Thames and is part of the National Trails Network.
East towards Wallingford is a lovely stretch of the Thames with access to Wittenham Clumps and the Earth Trust along the way. There are some beautiful villages to explore, including; Dorchester and Long Wittenham. In Benson, there is one of our favourite Cafes – The Waterside, which is right on the water’s edge and is the perfect refreshment spot mid-hike. Wallingford is a historic town with castle ruins which are well worth exploring too!
North-West towards Abingdon and Oxford is where the Thames meanders around Abingdon towards Oxford, where the Thames Path meets the Oxford Greenbelt Way. Some great places to explore along the way include; Abingdon and the Abbey Meadows, Radley and Nuneham Courtenay. Abingdon and Oxford are both historic towns, with Abbey grounds in Abingdon and the famous colleges of Oxford University in Oxford.
Terrain
The Thames Path is mainly flat with a few natural inclines along the way. Around the Culham lock area it isn’t necessarily accessible for cycling or buggies. Most of the stiles have been replaced for gates, to improve the accessibility though.
Facilities
NO FACILITIES
At Culham Lock, there are no facilities but along the Thames Path in whichever direction you go, you will eventually stumble across a riverside cafe, pub or town.
Dog Friendly
YES
The Thames Path is dog friendly and there are lots of small beaches along the Thames perfect for swimming. Along this path there is a lot of farmland and livestock as well as wildlife, so dogs should be kept under control.
Wildlife
For most of the 20th century, the Thames has been a heavily polluted river. However, in recent years things have changed and the river is becoming much cleaner. This has improved the biodiversity along the whole stretch of the Thames, from the spring in the Cotswolds to London and the estuary in Southend.
Learn more about walking along the Thames Path
4. Wittenham Clumps, Little Wittenham & Neptune Woodlands
Parking
There are three car parks around this area. They are free of charge to park at any of these car parks.
- Earth Trust Visitor Centre Car Park – Open for Earth Trust visitors Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm
- Wittenham Clumps Car Park – at the bottom of the clumps – Always Open
- Neptune Wood Car Park – Always Open
Route Options
There are lots of different paths around the Earth Trust areas, so it is perfect for exploring and circular routes.
Our favourite route is approximately 4km and goes through the middle of the clumps, into the Little Wittenham Wood, down to the river so the office dogs can have a paddle before walking back up the hill to the carpark.
Little Wittenham Wood backs onto the Clumps, and Neptune Wood is just a short walk away. Nearby there is the River Thames, with the Thames Path and some lovely walks towards Dorchester, Clifton Hampden, Benson and Shillingford.
The woodlands around the Earth Trust are really great for shorter walks with children. As you walk around them you often find dens made in the woods which can be great to explore and even add to!
Terrain
The main paths around the Clumps and Woodland are all well maintained and easily accessible for buggies and walking. In the winter months, I’d recommend walking boots as it can get quite muddy underfoot, but in the summer trainers are perfect. It is a really great spot for taking children to walk.
Facilities
YES – Facilities Only At The Earth Trust
The Earth Trust have good facilities, with an outdoor toilet block which is next to the main building, this is open Monday to Friday (9am-5pm)
Dog Friendly
YES
There are grazing animals on the Clumps, so dogs should be kept on leads. Little Wittenham Wood and Neptune Wood are both dog friendly and dogs are allowed whilst kept under control. There are dog bins located at the Clumps and Neptune Wood car parks.
Wildlife
The Earth Trust is home to the most diverse collection of living hardwood trees in the UK. The biodiversity brought to this area through the woodlands provides a great opportunity for forestry research. With this area lying so close to the Thames, it is also an important water and wetland area and plays a big part in the research to understand what a sustainable future might look like and how people can work together to make that a reality.
Learn more about walking at the Earth Trust
5. Port Meadow, Oxford
Parking
There are two car parks, one to the north and one to the south of the meadow. The north car park has no fee to park here but the car park to the south has a fee. Port Meadow is also accessible from the city centre, just a short walk through Jericho to reach the meadow.
Route Options
The Thames Path runs along the length of Port Meadow and easy to access from the car parks. There is a great circular route around the meadow, heading from the south carpark, along the Thames Path to Godstow. Then walking along to Upper Wolvercote and Wolvercote Common and heading along the edge of the nature park. Approximately a 7km loop.
Nearby there is also The Shakespeare’s Way and Oxford Canal Walk paths which take you either north towards Yarnton and Gosford or south towards the City Centre, Littlemore and Kennington.
Terrain
The paths around Port Meadow are quite good, they do however get a little boggy in the winter months or after heavy rainfall, the south of the meadow is flooded during the winter months. I’d recommend boots in the winter months and wet ground conditions and trainers during the summer months.
Facilities
YES – Public Toilets
To the north of Port Meadow in Lower Wolvercote, there are toilets and a picnic area as well as a lovely pub.
Dog Friendly
YES
The meadow is dog friendly, but there are grazing ponies so dog are to be kept on leads near animals and wildlife.
Wildlife
The meadow has grazing Port Meadow Ponies, a native pony, who are built to withstand all weathers and live off very little grass. On the meadow you can find a whole range of beautiful wild flowers. The south of the meadow is usually flooded for up to 10 months of the year and supports a diverse wetland flora. The meadow is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
