Best walks near Banbury by train
Northamptonshire · East Midlands of England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in East Midlands of England and plan your next day of green.
Hanborough Station Circular via Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire)
30m from Banbury, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
Beginner-friendly: A gigantic well-signposted park. It’s completely fine to deviate from the route — explore as you like! Plenty of options for lunch — no need to reserve a table.
An essential walk! It's an easy walk from the station to the beautiful, vast (and free) grounds of the finest example of English baroque architecture. For a somewhat extortionate fee you can also visit the house, but you'd probably want a whole day for that.
Highlights: Blenheim Palace and Woodstock.
Lunch stops in Woodstock (1h30–2h30 in): the Crown, the Back Lane Tavern, or the Star Inn.
End-of-walk reward: the George and Dragon.
Pangbourne Station to Goring & Streatley Station (Berkshire)
1h from Banbury, with one change.
Easy: 8km, gentle ascents. 2h30–4h.
Beginner-friendly: Just keep the River Thames on your left and follow it up to Goring.
Lunch: A walk so short that you don’t need lunch — just eat at one of the many options in Goring & Streatley.
End-of-walk rewards: the Swan at Streatley and the Coppa Club, Pierreponts, the Miller of Mansfield, or the Catherine Wheel.
Buying train tickets: Buy a return ticket to Goring & Streatley (it’s fine to disembark at Pangbourne, because Pangbourne is en route to Goring & Streatley) (that’s assuming you’re coming from the east or south (aka London/Reading) — if you’re coming from the north or west you need to buy return ticket to Pangbourne instead).
Oxford Station Circular via Port Meadow (Oxfordshire)
15m direct from Banbury.
15km. Flat terrain. 4h–6h30.
Flat riverside towpaths, water meadows, canal towpath, Oxford city streets, college lanes, and historic squares. Can be flooded.
Highlights: Pitt Rivers Museum and Oxford.
Lunch stops in Wolvercote (1h–2h in): the Trout Inn, Godstow, or the Jacob's Inn. Other lunch stops: the Perch (30m–1h in), or the Anchor (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lamb & Flag, Oxford, the Red Lion, the Turf Tavern, the Bear, the Crown, the Royal Blenheim, the Castle Pub, or the Jolly Farmers.
Beaconsfield Station Circular via Chalfont St Giles (Buckinghamshire)
45m from Banbury, with one change.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Gently rolling wooded hills, open fields, Buckinghamshire countryside, parkland, and golf course. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Chalfont Saint Giles.
Lunch stops in Chalfont Saint Giles (2h30–4h in): the White Hart, or the Feathers.
Pangbourne Station Circular via Cold Harbour (Berkshire)
1h from Banbury, with one change.
Easy: 10km, moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
River Thames valley, wooded hillsides, chalk nature reserve, open fields, quiet lanes, and pretty villages. Can be muddy.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
End-of-walk rewards: the Greyhound, the Ferry Boat, or the Swan.
Nuneaton Station Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
1h from Banbury, with one change.
18km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Parks, river, country park, and canal.
Lunch stop: the Stag and Pheasant (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lord Hop, the Felix Holt, the George Eliot Hotel, the Black Swan In Hand, or the Silk Mill.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Mortimer Station to Bramley Station (Berkshire)
1h from Banbury, with one change.
Easy: 12km, gentle ascents. 3h30–5h30.
An essential walk! Little known but quietly wonderful. Beautiful rather than spectacular, in a humble English village pathways sort of manner. Mostly secluded.
Highlights: Remnants of Calleva Atrebatum (includes ruins ofthe original walls, and a large amphitheatre where gladiatorial combats entertained up to 7,000 people at a time) and St Mary the Virgin Church (on the site of a Roman temple).
Lunch stop: the Calleva Arms (1h30–3h in; excellent).
End-of-walk reward: the Bramley Inn.
Goring & Streatley Station to Pangbourne Station (Oxfordshire)
1h from Banbury, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 12km. 3h30–6h.
A rambler favourite! Woods, hilly, river, and quaint village. Relatively busy.
Lunch stops in Streatley (2h–3h in): Pierreponts, or the Swan at Streatley and the Coppa Club. Other lunch stop: the Bull (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Miller of Mansfield, or the Catherine Wheel.
Princes Risborough Station Circular via Ninn Wood (Buckinghamshire)
30m direct from Banbury.
15km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Lunch stop: the Black Horse (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: Wheat Field, or the Bird in Hand.
Henley-in-Arden Station to Warwick Station (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Banbury.
17km.
Impressively deep cutting (canal near Hatton). Warwickshire countryside and Grand Union Canal towpath; gently wooded. Medieval market town of Henley-in-Arden founded 13th century; Warwick is Warwickshire's county town. Route traverses remnants of Forest of Arden with ancient hedgerows from 16th century. Path can be churned up and muddy; M40 motorway traffic; traffic on country lanes.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Lapworth Station to Warwick Station (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Banbury.
14km.
Impressive deep cutting (Shrewley). Warwickshire countryside along the Grand Union Canal towpath. Warwick Castle founded 1068; transformed to stately home by Fulke Greville in early 17th century. Grand Union Canal modernised extensively in 1930s. No towpath through Shrewley Tunnel — alternative route via village required.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Dorridge Station to Warwick Station (Warwickshire)
30m direct from Banbury.
20km.
Impressively deep cutting. Primarily along Grand Union Canal towpath. Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire, home to the Collegiate Church of St Mary with its 40-metre tower. The Great Fire of 1693 destroyed much of the town. Muddy field conditions possible; infrequent train service from Warwick.