Cold Harbour, Kirtlington, Pigeon Lock and Tackley
Route facts
Waterways:
Oxford Canal »
Distance: 10.25 miles / 16.25km
Duration: 5 hours maximum
Difficulty: Moderate
Circular route from: Heyford Station
This is one of a series of walks devised by the Cherwell (Banbury) Group of the Ramblers’ Association. They cover the middle and lower reaches of the relatively narrow Cherwell Valley, through which canal and railway interweave their way between Oxford and Banbury.
The walks start and finish at the local stations on this line, and although most include a section of the Oxford Canal, they also explore the attractive villages in this part of north Oxfordshire and west Northamptonshire.
This is a figure-of-eight walk, with the cross-over point near Northbrook Bridge. As described, the two ‘eastern’ sections of the ‘8’ are followed down to Tackley, returning via the two ‘western’ sections. These are, of course, interchangeable if desired. A shorter, linear, walk may be made by returning by train to Heyford – equally, the walks may start/finish at Tackley.
Getting there
Parking: Parking is available at Heyford Station.
Waypoints
1. Through Heyford village
From Heyford Station take the steps/slope up to the road and turn left. Very soon, immediately past Manor Church House take the footpath left, leading to a small meadow and with the canal and boat basin down on your left. At the end of the gardens on the right, turn right into a narrow passage between the house and neighbouring garden. This emerges on to a road, which is followed through the village, with the church on your left, to the diminutive Market Square. Turn left at The Bell public house into Freehold Street and follow this until just before the telephone kiosk, where you turn right into a meadow, eventually emerging on to the road.
2. To Dashwood Lock
Cross the road to the footpath opposite and turn diagonally left across the field, passing through the hedge (waymarked) towards the corner of another field. Before reaching this corner, however, turn diagonally right towards a solitary tree in the hedge ahead. A gap to the right of this tree brings you out onto a rough track which continues due south for a considerable distance, giving views over the Cherwell Valley to the right. After almost a mile the derelict Cold Harbour Farm is skirted to the left, and after another half a mile the path, which hitherto had the hedge on the right changes tack, with the hedge now on the left. The canal and river are now converging, with Dashwood Lock clearly visible on the right.
3. Through Northbrook to Crowcastle Lane
Continue southwards towards Northbrook Spinney, where northbound and southbound sections share common ground for a short distance. At Northbrook Spinney join a track, passing the thatched Kennels Cottage on your right-hand side. The track soon bears sharp left; almost immediately pass through a gate on the right. With Northbrook Farm and its walled garden to your left, continue ahead on the bridleway which now rises gradually to Manor Farm. Follow the concrete track which gives access to the farm and is marked Crowcastle Lane on the map.
On the approach to Kirtlington turn right on to the broad but unmade Mill Lane
4. Optional diversion to Kirtlington Quarry
Mill Lane may be followed down to Pigeon Lock, but it is worth diverting to spend a little time at Kirtlington Quarry. The entrance to the quarry is on the right a few hundred yards along Mill Lane, through an unsigned gap in the hedge. Take the path which leads around the top of the quarry, giving fine views over the valley to Tackley church. Follow the steps down to the quarry floor. Here, information boards describe the importance of the quarry as a site for fossils as well as the working of the quarry. Head for the right-hand side of the quarry to gain access to steps which lead down to the quay on the canal. With the canal on your right, take the path which goes off to the left, following the canal through a small wood. The path crosses several boardwalks and bridges, finally emerging from the wood back onto Mill Lane.
5. Tackley Station
At the end of Mill Lane cross over the canal by a bridge. (Here another choice may be made: follow the towpath, with the canal on the right, to return directly to Heyford). Otherwise, cross the stile straight ahead, following the sign (the old British Rail logo) for (Tackley) Station. This path twists and turns between fences and over footbridges over the Cherwell weirs, goes straight ahead between fences to cross another branch of the Cherwell and soon joins a track. Turn left and soon turn right over a gentle hill (still following the railway signs), eventually coming to Tackley Station.
6. The Gardiner Arms
To continue the walk cross over the railway tracks with care, on to the station approach road (Nethercott Lane) and follow this a short distance. Take the left footpath immediately after number 58. This goes between houses and gardens, over two footbridges on to rough common land. Although there are several tracks across this land, used by the village dog-walkers, the official way is straight ahead towards a long wall, turning right to follow this wall, through a gate, and then straight ahead to a gate on to the road. Turn right for The Green and the 'Gardiner Arms'.
7. Overlooking the River Cherwell
Turning right out of The Gardiner Arms, continue through the village along Medcroft Road, with the sports field and village hall on your right. At the right-hand T-junction continue straight ahead, with Medcroft Road becoming Rousham Road. Within fifty yards this turns sharp left, but you need to take the bridleway straight ahead. After 100 yards this too turns left (with the Crecy Hill local nature reserve ahead) and follow this track through a gate. This stretch is particularly attractive, looking over the River Cherwell with its oxbow bends. The passing of the occasional train belies the fact that the railway is just a few yards away, the landscape dictating that rail, river and canal are constricted to this narrow gap. The footpath gradually descends, to cross over the railway line by a sturdy footbridge and continues down to Northbrook Bridge straight ahead.
8. Back to Heyford Station
Northbrook Bridge crosses over both Cherwell and the Oxford Canal, and once over bear half left across the field to go through a gate on to a track. Turn left and follow this track past a cottage and small wood on the left. At the gate leave the bridleway to head half left diagonally across the field to the left hand corner. Dashwood Lock is ahead through the gate. The last leg home is now straightforward: for two miles you proceed with the canal on your right, and river and railway on your left.
contact us
print page