The Leathern Bottle - Route 3

(S/E) On leaving the pub car park turn sharp right and immediately right again into Weston Road and continue along this road for approximately 1.5km.

(1) At Weston, opposite a wooden notice board and post box, turn left into Rectory Lane, a cul-de-sac, walk to end of the lane and then bear left through a gap between a hedge and a metal gate. Stay on the same path for about 500m, (ignoring what looks like a footpath forking to the left around a garden boundary fence), the path then turns left onto a wooden footbridge over a small stream. Cross over the bridge and a stile then turn immediately right and follow the path along the edge of a large field. After about 200m go through a boundary hedge and turn immediately left following the hedge along a broad grass path by the edge of another field.

(2) At the corner of this field turn sharp right and follow the boundary hedge along the edge of the same field for 250m, then along an enclosed fenced section of path with views of farm buildings on the left. Exit over a stile, cross a concrete farm track, and enter the field opposite using another stile. Walk diagonally across the field to a stile by a large oak tree. Cross over the stile and enter the next field via a second stile. Continue diagonally across the field in the same direction as before. Exit the field via a stile and turn right and walk along a track for about 150m. Where the track bends round to the right carry straight on over a stile and follow the path for about 400m where the footpath meets a gravel access drive.

(3) After a further 50m the drive meets the public road turn left here and walk through the centre of Pyrton, past the Village hall, built in 1895, and then shortly afterwards on the right, the Church of St Mary’s and the main entrance to Pyrton Manor. Leave the village and walk in same direction along the road until you reach the junction with the B4009.

(4) Cross the main road with care into Station road opposite, shortly afterwards you will pass the large house on your left, this is the site of the old Watlington Railway Station. Continue straight ahead for 1100 metres until you reach the junction with the Ridgeway long distance trail.

(5) Turn left here. Follow the Ridgeway trail, the track runs between hedgerows and for much of the way is beneath trees, offering glimpses towards the Chiltern escarpment. After about 2km you emerge from the trees onto a broad grassy track, and you will see the motorway up ahead where it cuts through the Chilterns.

(6) When you reach a small lane (Hill Lane) turn left and follow the lane for about half a mile/400m until you reach the B4009. This is a busy stretch of road; use the crossing point to the left. Once over the road, turn left along the pavement. After a short distance, there is a path on your right heading down some steps (which can be slippery when wet and covered in leaves) and into the village of Lewknor. Walk along a lane past a few houses and you will soon see the Old Leathern Bottle ahead of you.(S/E)

The Church of St. Mary’s in Pyrton is a Grade II* Listed building. Parts of the building date back to 987. In 1115, William Fitznigel, granted the church to his foundation, the Augustinian priory at Runcorn, Cheshire. When the priory was dissolved in 1546 the church, parsonage and about 115 acres of land was granted to Christchurch College Oxford. The church was rebuilt in 1856 by J.C.Buckler, but parts of the 12th century building still remain, including the south doorway and the chancel arch, and these include decorations rarely found in Oxfordshire.

Pyrton Manor is a Grade II* listed Elizabethan house built around 1610, close to the moated site of the medieval manor. The house is not visible from the road but the old Manor Lodge is.