Best walks near Bicester by train
Oxfordshire · South East England
Stations: Bicester Village · Bicester North
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Hanborough Station Circular via Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire)
30m from Bicester Village, 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.
Oxford Station Circular via Port Meadow (Oxfordshire)
15m direct from Bicester Village.
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)
30m direct from Bicester Village.
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.
Princes Risborough Station Circular via Ninn Wood (Buckinghamshire)
15m direct from Bicester North.
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)
45m direct from Bicester North.
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)
45m direct from Bicester North.
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)
45m direct from Bicester North.
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.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Dorridge Station Circular via Packwood House (Warwickshire)
1h direct from Bicester North.
8km.
Quintessential English country house. Countryside; partly along the Grand Union Canal towpath. Packwood House is a 16th-century half-timbered manor house extensively reimagined in 1920s by Baron Ash; gifted to National Trust in 1941. Fairly busy road; muddy field conditions.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Dorridge Station to Henley-in-Arden Station (Warwickshire)
1h direct from Bicester North.
15km.
Countryside; primarily along canal towpaths. Henley-in-Arden is a medieval new town founded early 13th century when the lord of Beaudesert Castle purchased a market charter. Busy road section near King's Arms Inn; fields can be muddy.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Wood End Station to Dorridge Station (Warwickshire)
1h direct from Bicester North.
10km.
Umberslade Estate features a manor house built 1695-1700 and the Umberslade Obelisk constructed in 1749 by the 1st Baron Archer.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Solihull Station to Birmingham Moor Street Station (Warwickshire)
1h direct from Bicester North.
12km.
Mostly towpath along the Birmingham branch of the Grand Union Canal. Canal authorized in 1793 connecting Digbeth to Warwick; modernized in 1930s; freight traffic ceased by 1970s. Some low bridges requiring ducking; steep ramp at end.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Berkswell Station to Solihull Station (Warwickshire)
1h direct from Bicester North.
10km.
Surprisingly expansive landscape. Rural and suburban with boardwalks, fields, woodland, canal towpath, and residential streets. Walk crosses the Meridian Gap from Berkswell to Solihull, West Midlands' largest town, functioning as an affluent dormitory suburb of Birmingham. Muddy woodland path; pavement peters out near Hampton-in-Arden with tight bends.