The Six Bells - Route 3

(S/E) With your back to the pub turn left and walk along The Green South towards the War Memorial then turn right at the main road and walk past the Church. Cross the main road and walk another 250m along the other side of the road then turn left into Sinodun View, then almost immediately right into Hammer Lane. On your left you can see the low Sinodun Hills with the Wittenham Clumps at the Western end.

(1) Where the lane turns to the right walk straight on along a footpath for about 700m, ignoring the first turn on the left. When you meet another footpath turn left on to the other path. Follow this footpath until it goes through a subway under the A4074 then after a further 200m turn right through a gap in the hedge line and follow the path turning right on to a access track then right again to pick up a narrow footpath that passes Overy Mill and the mill pond. Continue over a stile into Hurst Water Meadow, an 18-acre island lying between the River Thame and the Overy millstream, and follow the path in the same direction through the meadow.

(2) Pick up a broad track as you leave the meadow and after about 150m turn left into Manor Farm Road (leading to Queens Street). After 200m bear right and at the end of the Manor Farm Road turn left into Queen Street then turn left into Henley Road and walk past the George Hotel a coaching inn dating back to the 14 century, and opposite is the entrance to Dorchester Abbey. Continue for another 50m than bear right at the Fleur de Leys pub and walk to the end of the cul-de-sac.

(3) Turn sharp right and take a footpath past some allotments. Take time to stop and read the information board about the recent excavations of a Roman house. As you leave the allotments turn left on to a tarmac access drive then after a few metres bear right leaving the drive and taking a footpath to Days Lock. Follow the footpath until you meet a bridle path, turn right on to the bridle path, then take the right hand fork where the path splits and continue on to Days Lock. (Note If you prefer you can miss out Days Lock by taking the left hand fork and walk directly to the light coloured, curved footbridge that you can see to the left. This stretch can be flooded during winter months of high rainfall.)

(4) At Days Lock turn left then follow the Thames Path for 50m and cross the Thames using the Little Wittenham footbridge. Walk up the slight incline until you reach Little Wittenham, go through the gate opposite the Church of St Peter. If you have the energy then carry on straight up the hill to the Wittenham Clumps, when you reach the top of Round Hill you will be able to see Little Wittenham, Days Lock, Dorchester and in the opposite direction Didcot Power Station, the views are well worth the effort. (Alternatively you can avoid the climb and head straight towards Shillingford by bearing left and taking the other footpath at the foot of the hill then pick up the instructions)

(5) Turn right (eastwards) and walk into the dip and up to Castle Hill. Then walk down the hill from the eastern side in a north easterly direction, follow the path along the edge of the field then just after going round the corner of the field turn left and follow the track into the woods after 200m you will reach an intersection with another track turn right and follow this track. When you reach a steel gate with a sign indicating no public access turn right and walk up a slight slope past a horse paddock, then turn left and walk past North Farm. Cross the access drive to the farm and continue to follow the footpath along a grassy track for about 100m then turn left and follow the path until you meet the River Thames.

(6) Turn right and follow the river through an area adjacent to the Thames given over to Earth Trust’s River of Life Project. Carry on following the river until you reach the Shillingford Hotel car Park, turn left and cross over the river using Shillingford Bridge. When reaching the northern bank turn left straight away and follow the Thames Path along an access drive. After 180m bear right and follow a narrow footpath between a fence and a hedge, after passing Shillingford Court turn left at a steel barrier. After 40m you will reach Wharf Road. If you look at the wall to your left you will see a stone set in the wall that records the flood in 1807.

(7) Turn right and walk along Wharf Road when you reach the main road (A4074), cross the road with care and walk along Warborough Road. Continue along this road until you reach another junction with a major road. Cross the road, again taking care, and pick up the footpath opposite then follow the footpath into the centre of Warborough. When you reach the War memorial turn right and make your way back to the Six bells.(S/E)

In 2010 Earth Trust acquired 35 hectares of land next to the River Thames that added 2.5km of river frontage to the Earth Trust’s estate. The Earth Trust’s River of Life project has used this land to create a unique wetland landscape that over time will ‘re-wild’ this stretch of the Thames.