Oxfordshire
Free maps are listed at bottom of page
Oxfordshire is blessed with a variety of fantastic cycling routes. The National Cycle Network in Oxfordshire takes you through the rolling Chilterns, the chalk downlands of The Ridgeway and the distinctive Cotswolds. The routes take you alongside rivers and canal, and pass through charming villages, bustling market towns and the dreaming spires of Oxford. With traffic free paths and quiet roads, and links to the Chilterns, Berkshire Downs and the Ridgeway, there is something for everyone, whether you're planning an afternoon ride or a longer trip.
Oxfordshire is easily accessible from London by train and coach, making it an ideal destination for a day's cycling. See below for route inspiration. Alternatively, take a look at our suggested Day Rides in Oxfordshire or Easy Rides in South East England.
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Cycle routes in Oxfordshire
National Route 5
National Route 5 of the National Cycle Network enters Oxfordshire just north of Reading at Kidmore End, and continues north on delightful traffic-free paths and quiet roads in the Thames Valley. The Hanson Way is a largely traffic free route from Didcot to Oxford by way of the pretty village of Sutton Courtenay and the bustling market town of Abingdon. The route from Abingdon to Oxford includes use of the permissive path by the Thames where care should be taken as the path is likely to be busy with walkers. From Oxford the route continues north along the Oxford Canal for a short while, before heading to Woodstock, then through bridleways and beautiful quiet roads to Banbury. From Banbury the route continues to Birmingham. Download the Hanson Way leaflet from this site or download leaflets for the Cherwell Valley and Ironstone Villages Ride from the Cherwell District Council website.
National Route 51
National Route 51 starts in Oxford and heads towards Bicester, via quiet lanes and Oxfordshire villages. From Bicester the route takes you along quiet lanes and traffic free paths to Milton Keynes and Sandy, Bedfordshire. When completed ‘The University Way' will end at Cambridge.
National Route 57
National Route 57 enters Oxfordshire along the scenic, traffic-free Phoenix Trail which connects Thame and Princes Risborough by way of a former railway line. Recent works have extended the Phoenix Trail up to the Cuttlebrook bridge in Thame. Between Thame and Oxford the route takes you along shared paths and quiet lanes to Wheatley before approaching Oxford from the east. This route offers a delightful way to explore the countryside and villages of East Oxfordshire. Download The Phoenix Trail leaflet.
Didcot to Wantage and the Ridgeway
Regional Route 44 is an 11 mile route on quiet roads, byways and purpose built paths, offering a tranquil way to explore Southern Oxfordshire. There are numerous links to the open horizons of The Ridgeway and the Berkshire Downs, offering a variety of possibilities for a great day exploring by bike. Download Didcot to Wantage and the Ridgeway leaflet.
Witney to the Cotswolds
Regional Route 47 goes westwards from Witney using quiet country lanes along the Windrush Valley through to the Gloucestershire Cotswolds. From Farmington in Gloucestershire the route joins National Route 48 and heads towards Cirencester. Download Windrush Valley Cycle Route leaflet.
Route development
Oxford Canal Links Connect2 project
Sustrans' Connect2 was the winner of The People's £50 Million Lottery Giveaway. Oxfordshire featured two Connect2 projects, Banbury and originally a reserve scheme in Didcot. The Banbury scheme is based around a new bridge over the Oxford Canal adjacent to a new housing development at Bankside. Sustrans is leading on the bridge design and has commissioned initial design work, with a view to submitting a planning application later in the year. Match funding has been secured to enable this scheme to go ahead.
Wolvercote viaduct
The Highways Agency is replacing the viaduct on the A34 trunk road at Wolvercote which passes directly over National Route 5. The route is closed at various times and users are diverted via the adjacent canal towpath. Care needs to be taken when cycling or walking past the works. This work is due to be completed this summer and it is hoped that the ramped access which was installed by the contractors can be maintained from the A40 cycle path for use by people wishing to access National Route 5 and the canal.
Didcot Links at Cow Lane Connect2 no longer on Reserve List
Didcot is a community divided by the mainline railway. Much of the new part of the town lies to the north and is separated from the rest of the town by the narrow one-way Cow Lane. Pedestrians and cyclists must share a narrow, raised footpath above the traffic. Unfortunately Didcot has now been dropped from the reserve list because of inability to secure match funding.
Didcot to Wantage
The poor surface on Regional Route 44 between Didcot and Wantage at East Hendred has also been repaired and drainage installed.
New signage
Agreement has been reached with Bucks County Council to sign National Route 50 between Winslow and Aylesbury later this year. North of Winslow, Regional Route 70 will be renumbered as Route 50 so that the route will also continue north to Buckingham, Daventry and Leicester. South of Aylesbury - in due course - it will head for Wycombe and (eventually) Maidenhead.
Begbroke to Kidlington
An upgraded link has been provided between the villages of Kirtlington and Tackley. A similar improvement is now being sought to upgrade the surface of the bridleway between Begbroke and Kidlington. If funds can be found for this improvement, it will further enhance the circular route (The Cherwell Valley Ride which can be downloaded from the Oxfordshire Cotswolds website) and increase the local appeal for recreational riding and day trips.
Bicester MP takes to the saddle
Sustrans' Regional Director Simon Pratt invited his local MP, Tony Baldry, to cycle around the town to experience first-hand some of the issues raised by walkers and cyclists.
A number of proposals in the town will have an impact on cycling and walking, including changes to traffic movements in Market Square and town centre redevelopment. We are also reviewing National Route 51 through the town, with the aim of making it more user-friendly.
Volunteers hard at work
Volunteers have installed a new concrete base for the Millenium Milepost on National Route 51 near Bicester.
Milton Keynes rangers are continuing to fill gaps in the signing on Route 51 before moving on to improve signing on National Route 6 through the town.
Route opening in Oxford
A short section of the Thames towpath and an existing path through Grandpont Nature Reserve have been improved by Oxford City Council to provide an all-weather surface on this popular route between Whitehouse Road and Osney Lock in Oxford. Funding was secured from the landfill tax via Waste Recycling Environmental Limited and from the City Council through developer contributions.
Bablock Hythe Crossing
Oxfordshire County Council have included a new bridge over the Thames at Bablock Hythe in the long list of possible schemes for the new Local Transport Plan. If retained in the final LTP, this scheme could move forward in the longer-term, allowing a route to be opened up between Oxford and Witney via the Lower Windrush Valley.
Interim Route 57 between Oxford and Witney via Eynsham and South Leigh
Because the route via Bablock Hythe is not possible at present, it is hoped to sign an interim Oxford-Witney route later this year as an alternative. This would leave National Route 5 at Wolvercote/Yarnton, follow the A40 cycle track as far as Cassington and use the existing bridleway between Eynsham and South Leigh, continuing on quiet roads via Cogges to Witney. We propose to link it up with Regional Route 47 in Witney to provide a route from Oxford to the Cotswolds.
Thame - Phoenix Trail
Following completion of the link across the playing fields into Lord William's School and Thame Leisure Centre in 2008, pupils are using the Phoenix Trail to travel to school plus other schools can use the route to access the swimming pool. The Trail is the final link on Route 57 between Oxford, Thame and Princes Risborough. A highlight of the path completion was the installation of the last of Lucy Casson's delightful sculptures 'characters on poles' which were specially designed to complement the path.
DIY Streets in Oxford
Beechcroft Road Residents Association in Oxford city, organised a successful tabletop consultation a couple of years ago, which enabled residents to discuss ideas and concerns for possible changes to the street layout. These ideas are now being developed so that they can be tried out on the ground. For more information, see our DIY Streets project.
Free cycle maps for Oxfordshire
Hanson Way Oxford to Abingdon and Didcot cycle route
(National Route 5) - Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)
The Phoenix Trail Thame to Princes Risborough
(National Route 57) - Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)
Didcot to Wantage and The Ridgeway
(Regional Route 44) - Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)
Windrush Valley Cycle Route Witney to the Cotswolds
(Regional Route 47) - not in print but available to download (pdf)
Oxford Cycling Map - download from Oxford County Council or tel: 01865 815575
Abingdon Cycle Map - Abingdon Town Council, tel: 01235 522642
Cycle, Ride or Walk the Chilterns - Chilterns Conservation, tel: 01844 355 500
3 Counties Circular Ride - download from Cherwell DC or tel: 01295 221706
Jubilee Ride - download from Cherwell DC or tel: 01295 221706
Cherwell Valley Ride - download from Cherwell DC or tel: 01295 221706
Ironstone Villages Ride - download from Cherwell DC or tel: 01295 221706