Clifton and Adderbury
Route facts
Waterways:
Oxford Canal »
Distance: 9.5m / 15km
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Starts at: King's Sutton Station
Ends at: King's Sutton 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.
Getting there
Parking: Parking is available at King's Sutton Station.
Waypoints
1. To Nellbridge Lock
Follow the road out of King’s Sutton Station car park, and within a few yards take the path signposted to the right. Cross this field to a gate; do not take the sharp left turn which heads straight for the church, but proceed diagonally left. Pass through three gates in quick succession, and in so doing cross a track, to a field opposite. Straight across this field to a footbridge. The way ahead crosses three fields to a road. Turn right onto road, which very soon crosses the irksome but necessary M40, and continue along this for almost a mile. At the road junction, turn right on to the B4100 (n.b. this is the former A41 and although superseded by the M40 is still quite busy). However after only a short distance the railway is crossed, and very soon you will come to the canal at Nellbridge Lock (bridge 187).
2. Past Anyho Wharf
Cross over the road to get to the towpath on the western bank of the canal and head south, i.e. the side away from the lock. Continue alongside the canal for nearly two miles, passing successively bridges 188 (Weir Lock), 189 (farmer’s access), 190 (Aynho Wharf), 191(bridge taken out) to bridge 192 at Wharf Farm. At Aynho Wharf the “Great Western Arms” is clearly visible for those seeking refreshment. Turn right immediately after passing under bridge 192. Do not go through the gate, but keep the barbed wire fence on your right, until the gate (waymarked) straight ahead; cross the next field to a footbridge, and turn diagonally right, making for the Aynho-Clifton road at County Bridge. Between Banbury and Aynho the county boundary between Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire mostly follows the many twists and turns of the River Cherwell. Since the start of the walk this boundary has already been crossed four times, and the fifth is coming up.
3. To Hazelhedge Farm
Turn left over County Bridge and start climbing into Clifton. After a couple of hundred yards take the footpath on the right. This veers to the left through farm buildings and then right, clearly proceeding through fields towards Hazel Hedge Cottage. Should you wish to visit the Clifton Arms, remain on the road up through the village for a short distance, and then continue through Clifton, turning right onto Tithe Lane, which is a bridleway. The footpath first described converges on Tithe Lane just past Hazel Hedge Cottage. Tithe Lane is followed for another half a mile, just short of Hazelhedge Farm, where at a junction of paths (four are waymarked on a post), turn diagonally left to continue on the bridleway towards some trees on the skyline.
4. Into Adderbury
After a short distance the silos at Adderbury Grounds Farm come into view. Turn right and then left at Paper Mill Cottages and follow the metalled track for a couple of hundred yards. Where the track turns left towards Adderbury Grounds Farm go straight ahead, and follow this track for almost a mile. Cross over the busy Banbury-Oxford road to Berry Hill Road, and almost immediately take the footpath right, heading towards Adderbury church. This path passes by the sewage works and then the bridge abutments of the old Banbury-Chipping Norton railway line. Turn right over the Sor Brook and then right again to Old Mill Cottage and continue up Mill Lane, passing to the right of the church. Bear right at the Bell and continue to just short of the green, where you turn left into Croft Lane. Ignore footpath signs to the right which go through housing, instead continue up Croft Lane past the Old Post House. Keep the wooden fence on your right, and follow it when it turns right, very soon reaching the main road.
5. Through Twyford Wharf to King's Sutton
Cross over the main road to Kemps Road and continue straight through the housing estate as far as you can go, then turn left. After fifty yards turn right on to path signposted Kemps Farm. At Kemps Farm turn left and right around the farm buildings to re-acquaint yourself with the M40 barely a quarter of a mile distant. Veer slightly left, heading towards the motorway and a couple of mobile phone masts to gain access to the King’s Sutton-Twyford road. Turn right, passing Twyford Wharf, where there is access to the canal. Although tempting to take, the canal bank must be forsaken, as there is no direct access to King’s Sutton (one would have to continue to Nellbridge Lock). Instead, continue to Twyford Bridge and take footpath right, heading directly to King’s Sutton church. After nearly half a mile one crosses over the railway track (with great care!), after which there is another choice. A path very soon crosses a footbridge and heads directly for King’s Sutton village. For the station, however, keep closer to the railway to a second footbridge. The station is now visible ahead, and crossing a couple of fields and passing between the second and third house on the right, the path comes out to the road near the station car park.
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