Oxfordshire Accessible Countryside
Disabled Access, Wheelchair walks, Easy Access, Access for All, Mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces of Oxfordshire.
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Abbey Gardens - Abingdon - Regular Green Flag winners - We understand access within the gardens is available to all via a network of gravel paths.
- Download the Abbey Meadows Accessible Walk from the Oxfordshire County Council website
Abingdon - (PDF Download) - "Walk along a wonderful stretch of the river including pleasant parkland with views of historic Abingdon." - "DISTANCE: 0.75 miles (1.2km) of riverside path SLOPE: None CROSS SLOPE: Mostly level but 1:9 towards lock WIDTH: All wider than 1m with regular passing places" - from the Visit Thames website
Aston Rowant NNR -"Wonderful views across the Vale of Aylesbury and a path through ancient beech woodland. A great place to see red kites. Walks likely to be suitable for people with impaired mobility and users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs." - "There are two routes with a wide firm surface: There is a 150m path from the main car park to a viewpoint. The longer, flatter, 750m path through beech woods finishes at the gate (one way opening) where it enters the downland, in order to protect rare plants" - from the Chilterns Conservation Board website
- download the All Access Trail Map
Spiceball Park and Oxford Canal, Banbury - "A network of paths providing choice of route length and a range of attractive landscapes including canal side, riverside, formal and informal parkland." (easy walks under 1.5 miles are designed to be suitable for push chairs and wheelchairs.) - from the Oxfordshire County Council website
- Download the trail leaflet from the Oxfordshire County Council website
Charlbury Walk on Wheels - (PDF Download) - "The short walk (only 200 metres there and back) is almost level, mainly on mown grass and suitable for all wheels. An alternative return route (total 350 metres) through the housing estate starts with a short rise on hard surface to a gate. Another longer route on grass around the edge of a wood and meadow may not be suitable for wheelchairs or small-wheel scooters and buggies" - from the Strolling in Stroud District website
Chinnor Hill - "A short walk through woodland to a fantastic viewpoint. Visit one of 200 commons in the Chilterns. Good place to see red kites. Walks likely to be suitable for people with impaired mobility and users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs." - from the Chilterns Conservation Board website
- download the All Access Trail Map
Daeda's Wood - The path provides glimpses of the River Swere and views of rolling countryside (easy walks under 1.5 miles are designed to be suitable for push chairs and wheelchairs).- from the Oxfordshire County Council website
- Download the trail leaflet from the Oxfordshire County Council website
Farmoor Reservoir - "Far more than just a reservoir, Farmoor is a unique habitat for wildlife and a dream destination for anglers and sailors" "Wheelchair and pushchair accessible" - from the London Wildlife Trust website
Gill Mill Circular Walk - "This varied stile free walk gives you lots to see as it takes you through the workings of Gill Mill quarry, along the banks of the River Windrush and through the lake complex near Hardwick finishing with views of Tar Lakes Nature Reserve" - from the Oxfordshire County Council website
- Download the trail leaflet from the Oxfordshire County Council website
Goring-on-Thames - (PDF Download) - "Walk along a short stretch of riverside with views of lovely gardens and hills rising beyond the river and the historic settlement of Goring-on-Thames" - from the Visit Thames website
- also download this Thames Path Walks for All leaflet
Henley on Thames to Lower Shiplake - "An attractive linear walk along the River Thames between Henley and Lower Shiplake. The Thames Path offers gentle walking for all-abilities, with wonderful views of the river winding its way through green meadows." "Level walk throughout" - from the Chilterns Conservation Board website
- download the All Access Trail Map
Henley-on-Thames - (PDF Download) - "A popular riverside path along one of the most famous stretches of the river." - from the Visit Thames website
- there is also a leaflet from the Chilterns Conservation Board website which may be useful
St Mary's Field Kidlington - 0.7 miles (1.1km) - "A walk from St Mary's church in Kidlington across open meadows to the River Cherwell." (easy walks under 1.5 miles are designed to be suitable for push chairs and wheelchairs.) - from the Oxfordshire County Council website
- Download the trail leaflet from the Oxfordshire County Council website
Linky Down - "is part of Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, located at the top of the Chiltern Hills and offering panoramic views over the Oxfordshire Vale. It is an area of chalk downland notable for the large variety of wild flowers and butterflies in the summer months. This walk is likely to be suitable for people with impaired mobility and users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs." - "The 400 metre path to the picnic area is virtually level and hard surfaced for its entire length." - from the Chilterns Conservation Board website
- download the All Access Trail Map
Northmoor Short Circular - "This stile free walk will take you around the charming village of Northmoor, and north towards fishing lakes where ducks, swans, and other waterfowl can be spotted" - from the Oxfordshire County Council website
- Download the trail leaflet from the Oxfordshire County Council website
Rollright Stones - Walk on Wheels - Two easy routes for all, mostly on grass with one very gentle slope. The stones are among England’s finest ancient monuments. The King’s Stone and the Whispering Knights date from Neolithic times. The stone circle known as the King’s Men is thought to be Bronze Age. There are magnificent views to the north and south - from the Cotswolds National Landscape website
Shotover Country Park - "There is a network of paths around the lower parts of the Country Park accessible to wheelchair users. Access is from Brasenose Farm on Oxford’s Eastern Bypass." - from the Oxford City Council website
- Download the trail leaflet from the Oxfordshire County Council website
Stoke Wood Bicester - "The site is level, with access via a bridleway gate near to the car park. Rides run north to south and east to west and woodbanks show the boundaries of the woodland. There are approximately 4.5km (2.8 miles) of paths in the wood. An all abilities entrance and surfaced path leads from the car park and is accessible all year round. A public bridleway (Old Stoke Lyne Lane) runs along the northern edge in an east to west direction. Most paths are well maintained and clearly marked, though some of the internal paths can become muddy in wet weather." - from the Woodland Trust website
- Download the trail leaflet from the Oxfordshire County Council website
Watlington Hill Access for All Walk - (NT) - "Firm path suitable for wheelchairs from the car park to the edge of the chalk downland. Average gradient 1:18" "Firm path taking you from the car park to the chalk downland (250 meters) with its magnificent views " - from Chilterns Conservation Board website
Witney Lake and Meadows - "a 37 hectare Country Park that offers a picturesque area for recreation" - from the Witney Town Council website
- download the park leaflet
- also see this leaflet from the Oxfordshire County Council website