Watlington to Streatley, The Ridgeway the Other Way

The Ridgeway the other way. The National Trail from NE to SW. This Stage 3 has a bit of everything. The route runs long the Upper Icknield Way on the way to the small hamlet of Swyncombe. Then crosses the Chiltern Way on it's way to the village of Nuffield. The route then runs on a narrow secluded path alongside the ancient Grim’s Ditch before reaching the River Thames. On the opposite bank, another National Trail runs, The Thames Path

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: The Ridgeway the Other Way in six stages

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 25.80 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 8h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 318 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 367 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 220 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 42 m

Description de la randonnée

Start : Watlington, the junction between Hill road and B4009. Postcode: OX49 5PU.

(S) From Watlington, walk along Hill Road, just past the entrance to White Mark Camping and Caravan Park.

(1) Turn right to head South-West along the trail as far as Icknield House and the B480 road. The route continues straight across the road, along Swan's Way and past Lys Farm House. Carry straight on, following the indications for The Ridgeway.

(2) After crossing Britwell Hill Road, the track reaches North Farm where our route turns left, heading South-East. Go past the metal gate and bear left at the farm buildings. Continue along the track and into Dean Wood where the route turns South.

(3) Go through the metal swing gate to cross Church Lane and head along the access road opposite. First, go past the Rectory on the left, then past St. Botolph's Church and Swyncombe House.

(4) Bear left past the church to go through the trees at Jacob's Tent and bear right to reach Ewelme Park Farm.

(5) The route continues heading South to cross the Chiltern Way and eventually reaches the A4130 at Gangsdown Hill. Go through a metal swing gate to cross the road and go up some steps on the other side. If you are in need of shelter and sustenance, The Maker Space @ The Crown is just down the road. Otherwise, go through the cottages and follow the trail through Huntercombe Golf Course (look for the white-topped posts to guide you) to come out in Nuffield.

(6) Go right along the road to go past the Holy Trinity Church and find a small metal gate on the left heading onto a field with the trees on the left. This track leads to an ancient earthwork known as Grim's Ditch.

(7) Turn right to follow the ditch West across Icknield Way, Swan's Way and Chiltern Way and another road crossing at Cart Gap. The track finally comes out at the A4074 Port Way opposite the gate house leading into Mongewell Park.

(8) Cross over the road then turn right for 50m to take a path through a metal gate.

(9) Go past the lake and turn left at a track that heads South past some cottages at the end of the lake and Carmel College.

(10) Keep straight on past the Springs Golf Course, now running parallel with the River Thames on the right. The track goes over a stream and into North Stoke.

(11) Go along the main thoroughfare, known as The Street, but turn right at Church Lane to enter the grounds of St. Mary the Virgen Church.

(12) The route now heads South-West following the River Thames, going under the mainline railway.

(13) It eventually turn left at the ferry point to head along Ferry Lane and into South Stoke. Bear right along The Street to go past St. Andrew's Church and The Perch & Pike pub.

(14) At the end of The Street carry straight on along a dirt track running parralel to the River Thames and the railway. Keep heading South between the river and the railway on a well-proportioned bridleway to go into Goring-on-Thames.

(15) Carry on along Cleeve Rd to reach a footpath leading down to the river on the right, opposite Clevemede. The path comes out onto Thames Road to reach a junction with High Street.

(16) Here turn right to cross the bridge over the River Thames, past The Swan on the other side and into Streatley-on-Thames. (E)

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 109 m - Watlington
  2. 1 : km 0.99 - alt. 133 m - White Mark Camping and Caravan Park
  3. 2 : km 3.88 - alt. 138 m - North Farm
  4. 3 : km 5.86 - alt. 182 m - Metal swing gate - Church lane
  5. 4 : km 6 - alt. 174 m - Swyncombe House
  6. 5 : km 8.59 - alt. 166 m - Chiltern Way
  7. 6 : km 10.1 - alt. 210 m - Nuffield
  8. 7 : km 10.45 - alt. 200 m - Grim's Ditch
  9. 8 : km 15.41 - alt. 75 m - Mongewell Park
  10. 9 : km 16.22 - alt. 50 m - Lake
  11. 10 : km 17.09 - alt. 47 m - Springs Golf Course
  12. 11 : km 17.94 - alt. 48 m - North Stoke
  13. 12 : km 18.3 - alt. 47 m - River Thames
  14. 13 : km 21.49 - alt. 45 m - South Stoke
  15. 14 : km 22.42 - alt. 45 m - The Street
  16. 15 : km 24.23 - alt. 46 m - Cleeve Rd
  17. 16 : km 25.03 - alt. 48 m - Bridge - River Thames
  18. E : km 25.8 - alt. 67 m - Streatley-on-Thames

Practical information

Start : Watlington, the junction between Hill road and B4009. Postcode: OX49 5PU.

Facilities: There are a number of places to fill your water bottle and a number of pubs and cafes along the route.

Note : Take care of yourself and look out for wildlife along the way. Just enjoy the journey and make the most of the moment.

In the nearby area

  • The churches long the route are worth a brief visit and it's always worthwhile popping into a pub as the conversation tends to be enlightening.
  • The first sights of the River Thames are thrilling and there are plenty of hedgerows that might contain interesting wildlife.

Other walks in the area

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.