Wychwood Way
A 36-mile long-distance path in Oxfordshire following trails through the heart of the former Royal Forest. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SP 444 167
Distance: 36 miles (58 km)
Time: 12–15 hours
Duration: 2–3 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
180 Oxford, Witney and Woodstock
191 Banbury, Bicester and Chipping Norton
Summary
As part of the Millennium celebrations, the Wychwood Project created a circular trail following existing waymarked rights of way through the heart of the former Royal Forest, known as the Wychwood Way. The route is designed to pass through or near some of the area’s most interesting historic landscape patterns, features, habitats, and traditional management forms.
Its creation was made possible by support from the Heritage Lottery Millennium Festival Fund, Oxfordshire County Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, the Hanson Environment Trust, and the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment. The circular walk goes around the heart of the ancient forest of Wychwood. From Woodstock, the route passes through Stonesfield, Chadlington, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Leafield, Ramsden, North Leigh, East End, and Combe to return to the start. The Way passes through Blenheim Park (a World Heritage Site), utilizes the Roman Road of Akeman Street and the ancient Saltway, and shares part of its path with the Oxfordshire Way.