Walks near Oxford by train
Oxfordshire · South East England
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Oxford and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Oxford.
Hanborough Circular via Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire)
8 minutes direct from Oxford.
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. 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.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Blenheim Palace (1h in)
Woodstock (1h30 in)
3 lunch spots: Woodstock (1h30 in) — the Crown, the Back Lane Tavern, or the Star Inn
1 end-of-walk reward: the George and Dragon
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Saunderton Circular via Bledlow (Buckinghamshire)
45 minutes from Oxford, with one change.
Highly recommended: Rolling Chiltern Hills, open ridge, secluded valleys, gentle gradients with one or two steep hills and fine valley views.
1 lunch spot: the Lions Of Bledlow (2h in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Golden Cross
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 2.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Mortimer to Bramley (Berkshire)
45 minutes from Oxford, with one change.
Highly recommended: Little known but quietly wonderful. Beautiful rather than spectacular, in a humble village pathways sort of manner. Mostly secluded.
Ruins of Calleva Atrebatum: once a thriving Romano-British city that survived into the Saxon period. Now ghostly ruins. Includes an evocative full circuit of city walls, and what's left of a 7,000-capacity gladiatorial arena (1h15 in).
St Mary the Virgin Church: charming medieval church on the site of a Roman temple (2h15 in).
1 lunch spot: the Calleva Arms (1h45 in; excellent)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Bramley Inn
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Similar walk: Reading to Basingstoke Community Rail Partnership.
Wendover to Princes Risborough (Buckinghamshire)
45 minutes direct from Oxford.
Highly recommended: Really beautiful rolling woodlands with a cosy family-run pub lunch and a saunter through Chequers. Mostly secluded.
Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.
View of Chequers (2h in)
2 lunch spots: Buckmoorend Farm Shop (1h45 in; outdoor seating and light meals only, e.g. burgers, sausage rolls, ice cream, hot drinks), but really high quality!), or the Swan (2h45 in; cosy old family-run pub with great food)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Bird in Hand
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Henley-on-Thames to Pangbourne (Oxfordshire)
30 minutes from Oxford, with one change.
Highly recommended: Thames riverside, ancient streets, broad valleys, beech woods, fields, small villages, alpaca farm and toll bridge.
Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.
1 lunch spot: the Red Lion (1h45 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Greyhound
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Farnham to Blackwater (Surrey)
45 minutes from Oxford, with one change.
Highly recommended: Deer park, heathland, MOD training area, Iron Age hillfort, reservoirs, stream valleys, woodland, nature reserve, wet meadows, lakeside sandy shores and common.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
1 lunch spot: the Foresters (2h15 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Crown and Cushion
Warnings: MOD closures apply.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Pangbourne to Goring & Streatley (Berkshire)
30 minutes from Oxford, with one change.
Highly recommended: Woods, hilly, river and quaint village.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
3 lunch spots: Streatley (2h in) — Pierreponts, or the Swan at Streatley and the Coppa Club; plus the Bull (2h in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Miller of Mansfield, or the Catherine Wheel
Warnings: Relatively busy.
Source: Trains2Green.
Princes Risborough Circular via Ninn Wood (Buckinghamshire)
45 minutes direct from Oxford.
Recommended
Hilly: a quarter on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.
1 lunch spot: the Black Horse (1h30 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: Wheat Field, or the Bird in Hand
Source: Trains2Green.
Pangbourne Circular via View of the Thames from Hartslock (Berkshire)
30 minutes from Oxford, with one change.
River Thames valley, wooded hillsides, chalk nature reserve, open fields, quiet lanes and pretty villages.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
3 end-of-walk rewards: the Greyhound, the Ferry Boat, or the Swan
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Sunningdale to Windsor (Surrey)
1 hour from Oxford, with one change.
Parkland, lake shores, ornamental gardens, light woodland, deer park, tree-lined avenue and historic town streets.
Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.
Windsor Great Park (3h30 in)
Windsor (3h30 in)
1 lunch spot: Savill Garden Visitor Centre Cafe (1h45 in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Prince Harry, the Carpenters Arms, the Royal Windsor, or the Boatman
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Beaconsfield Circular via Chalfont St Giles (Buckinghamshire)
45 minutes direct from Oxford.
Gently rolling wooded hills, open fields, Buckinghamshire countryside, parkland and golf course.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
Milton's Cottage (2h15 in)
Chalfont Saint Giles (2h15 in)
2 lunch spots: Chalfont Saint Giles (2h30 in) — the White Hart, or the Feathers
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Goring & Streatley Circular via Basildon Park (Oxfordshire)
30 minutes from Oxford, with one change.
Basildon Park: An estate saved from almost certain demolition and lovingly revived (National Trust; 2h30 in; 2h30 to visit).
1 lunch spot: Basildon Park tearoom (2h30 in)
Source: Trains2Green.