Today I want to share my guide to a Charlbury circular walk in the Cotswolds with you. This beautiful walk in Oxfordshire is a great way to get out into the English countryside in one of the most famous places in the UK. Along the way there’s everything from classic towns to ancient forests and country pubs. It’s one of my favorite Cotswolds walks. Read on for the route, map, photos, and video.
Charlbury Circular Walk
Charlbury is a town in the Evenlode Valley in Oxfordshire. It was a glove-making hub in 18th and 19th centuries, and today it’s a peaceful place popular with visitors who come to admire its beauty and walk in the surrounding area.
A Charlbury walk is ideal if you want to explore the Cotswolds without a car. There are direct trains from London to Charlbury, and they transport passengers to the heart of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in less than an hour and 15 minutes.
I’m here now to spend 3 days in the Cotswolds, and I can’t wait to get out onto the paths and into the English countryside.
If you have time to spend a night or two in this part of the UK, there are lots of great places to stay in Charlbury. You can book one here.
This is one of my favorite places for walks near London by train, and I’m excited to do this picturesque circular walk in the Cotswolds (and show it to you!).
You can see additional walks in the area in the book 50 Walks in the Cotswolds, too. You can get it on Amazon here. It has more great ideas for rambles in this part of Britain.
The Town
Once in Oxfordshire, I start my trip at Charlbury station. After alighting from the train, I cover the short distance to the heart of town on foot. The Cotswold stone houses here are the stuff of English countryside dreams, and I can’t wait to explore.
Before starting my Charlbury circular walk, I meet a local friend to explore the town. From quintessential cottages to cozy pubs and a church, there’s a lot to love about this place.
After exploring we have lunch at a pub called The Bull on Sheep Street. It’s been around since the early 1500s, and the interior highlights its historic roots while bringing the decor into the modern age. It’s the perfect prelude to my hike.
Charlbury Circular Walk Route
When we’re done with lunch I wave good-bye to my friend and start on my relatively flat 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) Charlbury walk. The route will take me from the heart of town into the English countryside and through the ancient Wychwood Forest.
The walk is officially called “Circular Walk: Charlbury No.2 (Oxon Way)”, but it’s much more exciting than the rather descriptive name suggests.
That’s because much of the walk follows the Oxfordshire Way, a famous long-distance route from Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire to the Thames in Henley. Along the way it crosses the River Evenlode and passes wooded groves and copses.
Charlbury
I start the walk at the Rose & Crown pub in Charlbury. From there the route takes me down Market Street and Thames Street as I make my way past quintessential Cotswolds cottages and a historic churchyard.
Oxfordshire Way
Eventually I reach a signpost for the Oxfordshire Way. I pass through a gate to get into a series of fields in the English countryside. It all feels very classic Cotswolds here, and I’m excited to see the landscapes this area is famous for.
The Charlbury circular walk route continues across seven fields and over Water Lane. Along the way I take in everything from golden hay bales to blackberry bushes and fluffy sheep.
I also go through kissing gates in wild hedges, across small streams, and past grazing horses. In the distance I can see patchwork fields in rolling hills.
Groves, Copses & Woods
Soon I turn right and follow a track up a slight incline that skirts the edge of Dene Grove. On one side is a dense wooded area, and on the other is an open field.
At the end of the grove, I turn left and follow a hedge to a gate as I take in the tower of an old church in the distance.
After several quick turns, I find myself on a bridleway with Greenhill Copse on my left. It’s peaceful and quiet here, and I love walking through hedges and alongside tall trees as I go.
After passing the copse, I find Little Wood on my right. I follow along the edge of it as I make my way over to Catsham Lane.
Catsham Lane
When I reach the road, I turn left and my Charlbury circular walk route leaves the Oxfordshire Way. Keeping to the edge of Catsham Lane, I cross over the River Evenlode, stopping on the bridge to take in some locals fishing in the water.
Shortly after the river, I cross over the railway line and pass a striped signpost for Shorthampton. From there I turn left at a trail marker saying “Circular Walk” and I follow a bridleway leading back to Charlbury.
Walcot
The route takes me along an undulating path between fields and past old stone ruins. I make my way along it, passing Walcot Farm and its cottages and taking in views of Charlbury in the distance before I reach Forest Road.
Turning left, I walk down to Charlbury train station. I make it to the platform just as my train to Kingham arrives. It’s been great to experience this Charlbury circular route, and I’m glad I’ve gotten to do one of the many country walks in the Cotswolds.
Charlbury Walk Map
If you’re interested in going on this Charlbury circular walk yourself, you can find the map on the Oxfordshire County Council website here. It’s easy to follow and it has everything you need.
Charlbury Circular Walk
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to a Charlbury circular walk in the Cotswolds. It makes for a beautiful afternoon, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you love a good ramble. It’s one of my favorite country walks near London, and it’s worth a special trip.
If you want more, you can make a longer day of it and do both this walk and my Burford circular walk. The latter is a short taxi ride from Charlbury station (make sure to pre-book). There are easy walks you can do in Kingham, too.
I’ve also created an interactive map of all the Cotswolds walks I’ve done. You can find it here. If you click on the pins, you can see my relevant blog posts about each one.
You can get more inspiration from the book Time Out Country Walks: 30 Walks Near London, too. You can get it on Amazon here. Happy walking!
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