Oxfordshire walks - Chiltern Hills & Warburg Nature Reserve
We’re heading to the hills for this weekend’s epic walk in Oxfordshire - The Chiltern Hills. Passing through the spectacular Warburg Nature Reserve, this walk offers distant views, ancient woodland, a pretty hamlet and the icing on the cake - a lovely traditional country pub with a garden providing views to die for. WHAT A WALK
To get the app and this walk visit https://www.localwalks.co.uk/oxfordshire-walks or search for 'Oxfordshire Walks' on your App Store.
This varied 4 1/2 mile walk starts at the Warburg Nature Reserve, (www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/warburg-nature-reserve), a wonderful reserve set in a lovely patchwork of woods, scrub and flower-rich grassland with a wide range of plants and invertebrates. Plants to be found here include orchids, gentian, marjoram and thyme - attracting numerous butterflies and other insects.
From the Reserve Car Park, follow the route on the App anti-clockwise. There is one steep and one moderate climb followed by one steep descent but the effort is well rewarded by some beautiful views as you look back down the valley.
After walking along the grassy path on the edge of Maidengrove and Russell’s Water Common you will soon arrive at The Five Horseshoes, a 16th century pub. Here you can admire the breathtaking views over the valley and stop for a drink and something to eat. Do please call to check out current arrangements and opening times (www.thefivehorseshoes.co.uk).
The walk continues on a path on the left just after the pub, however if you just walk a little further along the road you will discover a new vineyard which must have one of the most stunning locations for a vineyard in the UK.
The final half of the walk takes you through wild flower filled fields with superb views, followed by a walk through ancient woodland with beech trees that stretch high above an open forest floor to form a peaceful, cathedral-like space.
The ‘Directions in Apple/Google Maps’ link in the App takes you to the Warburg Nature Reserve Car Park. Alternatively, there is roadside parking on the edge of Maidengrove and Russell’s Water Common where you could start the walk from this point - just follow the marker on the App.
If you haven’t yet tried a walk from the Oxfordshire Walks App, try this one - you will love it. This is a FREE walk - you do not need to subscribe.
THIS WALK TRAVELS THROUGH THE WARBURG NATURE RESERVE, PLEASE LOOK AFTER THIS VERY SPECIAL PLACE - STAY ON PATHS AND TAKE ALL RUBBISH HOME WITH YOU. DOGS SHOULD BE KEPT ON A SHORT LEAD AT ALL TIMES WHILST IN THE RESERVE.
Enjoy this special walk and PLEASE send us your stories and photos to oxfordshire@localwalks.co.uk
You can see a full list of Oxfordshire walks here.
Taking regular exercise outdoors amongst nature is good for both our mental and physical health at this time, but whilst out walking please remember to keep your distance from other walkers.
STAY ALERT - STAY SAFE
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