Best walks in Oxfordshire by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in Oxfordshire and plan your next day of green.
Hanborough Station Circular via Blenheim Palace
8m direct from Oxford.
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.
Oxford Station Circular via Port Meadow
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.
Charlbury Station to Kingham Station
15m direct from Oxford.
Tough: steep ascents. 17km.
Beautiful; picturesque. Hill and moorland paths with woodland, fields, and with substantial climbs. Stretches of road with no pavement; Can be very muddy or boggy.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Islip Station Circular
9m direct from Oxford.
17km.
Rolling countryside, fields, woods, rivers, wetland nature reserve, quiet villages, and old churches. Can be muddy.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Islip Station to Oxford Parkway Station
5m direct from Oxford.
Rolling countryside, fields, woods, rivers, wetland nature reserve, quiet villages, and old churches. Can be muddy.
A variant of Islip Circular – documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.