Kirtlington is a village in the heart of the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire. We chose Kirtlington as a Cotswolds holiday base and rented a lovely AirBnB in the village.
As usual, I got restless a few days into the holiday, so I planned a route to start and end at Kirtlington. Here is the GPX file. See my article, Top Tips: Mapping & GPS for Hiking, for more information on how you can use GPX files.
This is a circular walk of just under 11.5 miles over fairly easy and level terrain. It is a walk that touches on historic routes, canals and rivers in the Oxfordshire countryside.
Kirtlington to Weston-on-the-Green
The walk starts pretty much from the centre of Kirtlington. It heads easterly across open fields along the Oxfordshire Way, which is an impressive 66-mile route from the Cotswolds to the Chilterns.
As I walked over the fields, I was greeted by a very friendly horse. I’m not sure if he mistook me for someone he knew, but it was a very warm welcome. The route cuts through the fields, but the track is easily followed.
After seeing a lake or large pond to the right, the route goes through a small copse and emerges at Dunsbey’s Spring. It then crosses a bridleway and veers SE to Weston-on-the-Green.
There was a nice little grocery shop at Weston, which pleased me because I hadn’t prepared any food for my journey. So I picked up a sandwich, some snacks and a drink. I got a very friendly welcome in the shop.
Onto Shipton-on-Cherwell & Enslow
From Weston, the route is the WSW road to Tollbrook Corner. Then left on the south road, past Dolly’s Barn, to cut across another road and pick up the public footpath at Diamond Farm.
Follow the footpath until there is another path heading west to Hampton Poyle. The path turns south and then links up with a road heading west to pick up the Oxford Greenbelt Way by St Mary, the Virgin Church. This most northerly section is just from Hampton Poyle to Hampton Gay, and on to Shipton-on-Cherwell. Overall it is a 52-mile circular walk.
It was at the church when a vintage car seem to bolt out of nowhere. I snapped it, but it was a bit too fast for my camera settings.
From Shipton, we pick up the Oxford Canal Walk, heading NE around the river bank and then northerly from Shipton Weir Lock along the River Cherwell. The views along here are amazing.
At Baker’s Lock, the route follows a canal towing path to Enslow. There was a cafe barge moored up at Enslow, selling snacks, cakes and refreshments. How handy, I thought.
Oxford Canal to Kirtlington
From Enslow, the route is along the Oxford Canal up to Pigeon Lock. Cross over the lock to the opposite bank to pick up Mill Lane. Around halfway up there is a delightful tea room and gardens, all decked out in colourful ribbons. What a shame I had already had a snack at Enslow.
Further on up the lane, there is a disused quarry. Well, not quite disused, it is very much used by local cyclists for thrill-seeking adventures on man-made hills and cycle routes.
Finally, the lane turns the corner into Kirtlington. There is a lovely thatched cottage on the right as it comes into the village, plus more as it turns a further corner. Kirtlington is just the Cotswolds village you would imagine.
There are two pubs in the village, The Dashwood Arms and The Oxford Arms. It may be wise to pre-book, but you are sure of a hearty meal to end a great day’s walking.
Kirtlington is one of many locations to take a holiday or a short break experience the Cotswolds. Here is a list of hotels and holiday properties in the Cotswolds.
If you would like to get into hiking and walking, read my article, A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking and Walks. There are many health benefits – both physical and mental. I also write about short walks.
Thanks for reading. I hope this inspires you to try out this walk. Write about your experiences below.