King's Lock walks

This is the first stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". A varied countryside walk linking open farmland, landscaped parkland and a world-renowned golf course, with highlights including Waterperry house and gardens, the first sight of the River Thame at Bow Bridge and Rycote Chapel.

A mainly level circular walk of about 150 miles along the waterways between Oxford and the London suburbs. It can be done in day trips by train or express bus from all the towns en route. This circular long-distance path starts in rural Oxfordshire, then follows the Grand Union Canal, which has a close-knit narrowboat community, into the Chilterns before winding through the suburbs of London. It crosses the playing fields of Eton to join the Thames Path, which meanders all the way back to Oxford. The route passes over and under bridges of every kind, through country parks, idyllic villages with thatched cottages, grand estates and historic market towns like Aylesbury, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford. The lakes, chalk rivers and water meadows are home to a diversity of wildlife, and traditional waterside pubs provide welcome refreshment.

This is the fourteenth and final stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". This riverside walk transitions gently from tranquil water meadows past Sandford and Iffley Locks, through a nature reserve, into the bustling outskirts of Oxford, where the boathouses of the various Oxford Colleges are evidence of the strong rowing culture of the city.

Abingdon to Steventon following some of the old Berkshire and Wiltshire canal. Start along the Ock valley path through Abingdon and then head west out into flat fields. Some good paths to start with however some of the paths in the fields as you approach Steventon are not well maintained. The final fields into Steventon at Hill Farm often contain cattle. I would generally advise this as a dry weather walk. The footpath out of Abingdon suburbs is poor and I have adjusted the route to follow roads and tracks. After passing under the railway on the ranch to Steventon the OS footpaths are not reliable; at one point the path was ploughed and planted with wheat so I followed the field edge for some time. The X2 bus runs between Abingdon and Steventon 7 days a week so can be used to close the loop.

6 miles almost entirely off road and flat walk from Steventon to Abingdon with a return journey on X2 bus (you can park in Steventon Village Hall). If you walk on a Sunday morning, you can have a coffee and cake at Sutton Courtenay weirs. On a hot day there is plenty of opportunity for a dog to swim in the Thames. As you pass behind Sutton Courtenay there are a few footpath options; however, whatever route you take you'll end up close to the Church, and the George or Sawan pubs before headding to Sutton Courtenay Weirs. Then follow the Thames Path to Abingdon.