Page owner: C. Fleet
Walking
The area is crisscrossed with public footpaths and bridleways, all signposted with green signs at the roadside, and mostly with small discs on wooden posts, gates and trees when off the road. The farmers in the area are generally very happy for you to follow these trails and you’ll only occasionally encounter livestock – if you do, PLEASE make sure that dogs are on their leads and constrained.
There is a continuous towpath from Banbury to Oxford which is easily walked in most seasons. A few stretches would involve cyclists dismounting. The canal and river are used as part of the flood management scheme for Banbury and the more northern villages. As a result, from time-to-time (usually only after extended periods of torrential rain) the water may be flowing from river to canal or vice versa over the towpath. At these times, the path remains walkable, though you will require wellington boots and common sense.
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Local Walks Passing Through The Villages
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The Lower Heyford Village Trail
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Lower Heyford – Kirtlington – Lower Heyford
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Lower Heyford – Northbrook – Caulcott – Upper Heyford – Lower Heyford
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Lower Heyford – Oxford – Lower Heyford
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Cherwell Valley Walk (CDC)
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Oxford Canal Walk (CDC) – Click here for a free leaflet
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Lower Heyford Circular Walk (CDC) – Click here for a free leaflet
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National Walking Trails Passing Nearby
Cycling
You will often see cyclists passing through the village, which is on popular circuits from Oxford, Bicester and Banbury.
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If you are in the village and would like a gentle ride, consider heading out of the valley on the Bicester Road, but taking the first turning on the right along the road to Kirtlington. If you feel like a detour take the turning to Northbrook for views across the valley.
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A more strenuous route takes you into Kirtlington, to Bletchingdon, and on to Kidlington. From here, you return via Woodstock and Rousham.
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Alternatively, leave the village over the road bridge across the canal and railway. Cross the medieval bridge taking in the view of Rousham Hall on your left. Turn left at the far end of the bridge into Rousham. Follow this road around the bends until you reach the turning for Tackley, take this and after a short climb the views across Oxfordshire as far as Didcot are quite spectacular.
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For the more adventurous, take the same route to Rousham, but instead of turning towards Tackley, continue to the main A4260 Banbury Road. There’s a staggered junction here. Cross over to the road signposted Wootton. Follow this for a couple of hundred metres and you will see an alternative stretch of the national cycle route 5 which passes across the road. To the right, the trail leads to Steeple Barton, Middle Barton and thence to Banbury. To the left, it leads to Oxford. However, if you are looking for a good ride out-and-back, take the left-hand route and ride to Woodstock, where you’ll find lots to explore and enjoy.
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The South Midlands Cycle Route, a 188 mile trip of which 88 are traffic-free, passes within a mile or so of the village. A route through the heart of England, undulating farmlands and market towns, this links the major cities of Derby, Leicester, historic Oxford and modern Milton Keynes. You can cycle without traffic along the Brampton Valley way between Northampton and Market Harborough, into and out of the city centre of Leicester and from Worthington up to Derby. Points of interest include the National Bowl at Milton Keynes, the National Space & Science Centre in Leicester and Foxton Locks & Canal Museum.
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Things to do and see
Lists of local things to see and do….
“Day out with the kids” in Oxfordshire
An excellent list of the many attractions categorised to find something to suit both adults and children alike.
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The Official Oxfordshire Tourist site
Lots of diverse ideas for you to try in the area.
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Oxfordshire has featured in many blockbuster films and TV programmes over the years. Follow in the famous footsteps of Harry Potter, Inspector Morse, Lyra and others and explore some of those magical locations around the city and county. Visit the Location Oxfordshire website to download trails.
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Interested in the history of the Parish?
There’s a comprehensive written history, dating from 1959, which can be found here.