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 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. The whole scheme is dependent on the housing site going ahead, but despite the downturn in the market this should be starting soon. For more information, visit the Connect2 website.
Wolvercote viaduct
The Highways Agency has begun replacement of the Wolvercote viaduct on the A34 trunk road which passes directly over National Route 5. The route will be closed at various times until work finishes in summer 2010, and users will be diverted via the adjacent canal towpath. (At present the canal towpath is closed under the viaduct and towpath users are being diverted via National Route 5.) Care needs to be taken when cycling or walking through the works. On completion we hope to maintain the ramped access from the A40 cycle path, which has been installed by the contractor, for use by people wishing to access National Route 5 and the canal.
Didcot Links at Cow Lane Connect2 reserve project
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. At a meeting of the Steering Group in March, people expressed their disappointment that this scheme was only included on the reserve list. Selection of schemes was very difficult, but Didcot was placed on the reserve list because of the uncertainty over funding of a new subway. The recent announcement of Didcot as a Growth Point town may now mean that additional funding will come to the town. For more information on this project, visit the Connect2 website.
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 has reassessed the case for a new bridge over the Thames at Bablock Hythe. The Council has concluded that the bridge is no longer a scheme that should attract priority funding as a Local Transport Plan scheme. If significant grant funding can be awarded, the bridge project could move forward but in the meantime the Council is investigating the possibility of a ferry service. Sustrans has supplied details of ferry operations elsewhere on the Network.
Eynsham and South Leigh
Part of the interim National Cycle Network route between Oxford and Witney includes a section of bridleway near South Leigh. There is an old railway path near South Leigh that is already being used informally by cyclists and walkers but which requires a surface improvement to make it useable throughout the year. Negotiations with the landowner have so far proved unsuccessful and Sustrans has been unable to reach an agreement over the need for an improved surface.
Yarnton to Eynsham
We are also seeking to develop a link between National Route 5 at Yarnton and the interim National Route 57 at Eynsham. This involves upgrading a number of existing bridleways, creating a new surfaced path through a reclaimed gravel extraction area and the conversion of a section of disused railway path. Work on this route is progressing well and will continue throughout 2008.
Thame - Phoenix Trail
Work has been completed at Lord Williams' School in Thame, to build the final link across the playing fields into the school and Thame Leisure Centre. This long awaited path was opened in June 2008 and means that pupils can use the Phoenix Trail to travel to school and other schools can use it to access the swimming pool. It is also 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.
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. Works to improve the surface are being discussed with the County Council with a view to implementation during 2008. This improvement will further enhance the circular route and increase the local appeal for recreational riding and day trips.
Links to Schools - Henley and Witney
The county council should begin work on various links to local schools in Henley around the end of the year. Henley College are also very keen to increase the number of their Sixth Form students that cycle into college from surrounding towns and this may form the basis of a future Links to Schools bid. Work to complete a link to Wood Green School in Witney will also be going ahead once the county council has finalised agreements with developers of nearby housing. This link will provide a route from the centre of town to the school as well as a useful route from the new housing development into town.
DIY Streets in Oxford
Beechcroft Road Residents Association in Oxford city, organised a successful tabletop consultation at the end of March, which enabled residents to discuss ideas and concerns for possible changes to the street layout. Sustrans staff, Daniel Black from Bristol and Simon Pratt from Oxford were on hand to answer any technical questions. 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