Join our friendly group for great walks and good company.
Overview.
7.6 miles. Relatively brisk for the majority of the walk which is quite level, with the exception of the steep climb up and down in Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve which will be taken at gentler pace for safety. Good boots and poles recommended.
175 Metres of ascent (most of which is focused on Cuckoo Pen and Beacon Hill, with a little more between the road-side carparking and Lewknor).
A rural walk with superb views from Beacon Hill.
A cafe stop half-way along at The Cherry Tree in Kingston Blount.
Description
From the plentiful free roadside parking on the B4009 just outside of Lewknor, we walk up the quiet Hill Road to the Ridgeway Path, passing under the M40 and ascend steeply along Cuckoo Pen up to Beacon Hill where we will take a break and admire the long-reaching view if we have good weather. After we have decended, and rejoined the Ridgeway Path further along, the remainder of the walk (apart from a small hill from Lewknor at the very end) will be on the level.
(If anyone does not want to climb Cuckoo Pen and Beacon Hill, there is the option to walk alone for a short stretch of Ridgeway and wait for about 40 minutes for the main group to reappear - you won't get lost).
We walk along pleasant paths and open countryside with good views to Aston Rowant village and on to Kingston Blount where we stop at the Cherry Tree which offers fabulous tea, coffee and cake so please bring cash or card for payments. Afterwards, we pass through Kingston Blount playing fields and join a path which leads to the Lower Icknield Way which will eventually take us under the M40 and to Lewknor church. Our vehicles are parked only a short uphill walk from Lewknor but some may like to take well deserved refreshment in Lewknor at the Old Leathern Bottle, especially if it is warm weather.
Dog friendly. No stiles. There will be sheep and could also be other livestock.
Starting from
The junction between the Hill Road footpath and the B4009 on the edge of Lewknor between Kingston Blount and Watlington. There are several lay-bys for free parking.
Postcode: OX49 5TN
Grid ref: SU715973
what3words: reflect.trembles.humble
Open Loc/Plus code: 9C3XM2CM+59W
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NsQAd9kXmmPDePxt7
Alan Cooper 07550002345
The junction between the Hill Road footpath and the B4009 on the edge of Lewknor between Kingston Blount and Watlington. There are several lay-bys for free parking. Postcode: OX49 5TN Grid ref: SU715973 what3words: reflect.trembles.humble
