Eynsham to Bladon and Back
Ordnance Survey Explorer map (1:25,000):
180: Oxford
Length: 19km (12 miles).
Duration: 6 to 7 hours.
Train station: Hanborough
Bus: S1 (to Eynsham), 233 (to Hanborough)
Parking: Freeland, Cassington or Eynsham. Limited parking in Church Hanborough
Public Houses (Eynsham pubs are not listed):
Chequers Inn, Cassington
George and Dragon, Hanborough, 01993 881362
Hand and Shears, Church Hanborough, 01993 875047
Oxfordshire Yeoman, Freeland, 01993 881003
Red Lion, Cassington, 01865 881371
The White House, Blaydon, 01993 811288
Cafés:
Lyall & Co Café, Eynsham, 01865 883697
Whole Earth Café, Eynsham, 01865 731717
The Spire of Saint Paul and Saint Peter, Church Hanborough
A Modern Sound Track
It has to be said that this is not the most peaceful walk I have designed!
Firstly, there is a longish stretch that follows the A4095 Woodstock to Witney Road. The route is safe enough, with a pavement to walk along, but the road, for such a minor one can be busy and noisy. However, the advantage is that it does pass Hanborough station and so, even though cars are whizzing passed you, you can feel smug in the knowledge that you (assuming you took the train) have not added to the impact of climate change.
In addition to the cars you may also have to content with aeroplane noise as the eastern section of the path is not that far from the southern end of the Oxford Airport runway. The day I walked the path it must have been take-off and landing training as there was a constant stream of small private planes buzzing over me. It must be a constant irritation to the beleaguered residents of Begbroke.
And then to the west there were a number of large Royal Air Force transporter planes doing the same landing and taking off from RAF Brize Norton. All in all, a cacophony of modern sounds intruded on the north-eastern section of the walk.
Entering Bladon along the A4095
Saint Martin's, Bladon, the burial place of Sir Winston Churchill
Seeing the Trees for the Wood
Just south of Bladon there is a very pleasant walk through the northern margins of Bladon Heath Wood. If you wish, there is an alternative, parallel-ish path just to the east. This is through more open ground and gives wide views to the east over Oxford Airport and the industrial areas of north-west Oxford. I must say this did not really appeal to me, and being a tree lover, I took the woodland option.
Talking of trees, I was intrigued to note on my trusty OS map an Oak marked (GR SP 462 132). I don’t remember noting something like this before, but there must be others. So, I was looking forward to seeing this sentinel tree. And it is a lovely tree it has to be said. Not necessarily magnificent as some oaks can be, but it does command a spectacular view westward towards the Cotswolds. I am intrigued to know why it has been specifically identified by OS.
The Sentinel Oak
A View, a cup of tea, a sandwich and a sentinel tree
The sentinel oak is a good place to stop for a sandwich and a cup of tea. The view is wonderful, but I found it too big to photograph. However just a little further south there is a different perspective of the same view. It is just as good, but more appealing to the camera lens. However, there is not really anywhere convenient for a sandwich break.
The Other View
Places to Loiter
If you are a lover of public houses, then this is the walk for you! This could be a veritable long-distance pub crawl if you so wished. For those with a preference to tea rooms, there are two in Eynsham, that are well worth a visit. Eynsham itself has a long history and a very quaint centre, which can be appreciated with a pint outside the Red Lion.
The Quiet Section of the Walk
A Swift One after the Service
North of Eynsham we enter the quietist part of the walk, although now is the time to appreciate this tranquility as within the next 10 to 20 years the area immediately to the north of the A40 will be filled with a new garden village, to be called Salt Cross, and to include 2,200 new homes.
To the north of this area, you get the main chance of really feeling that you are in the countryside and, at the right time of the year there is a small, but beautiful bluebell wood (Vincents Wood) just south of Freeland. The much larger Pinsley Wood, to the east of Church Hanborough, is also known for its blue bells. The small village of Church Hanborough is well worth taking your time wondering through as it has some fine stone houses and a beautiful, spired church. The church at Freeland is also worth visiting for its unusual architecture and lovely interior. Both have good local pubs very close by.
A Place of Homage
Ironically, it this section of the walk that has some of the more noteworthy features and points of interest. The first of these is the grave of Sir Winston Churchill; Boer War Correspondent and prisoner, hero Prime Minister of the Second World War and controversial and blundering strategist of the First World War. I must say his grave is a rather understated surprise for one of such elevated status. I could have included a photo of it, but thought I would leave seeing it as a surprise. If you really want to see what it looks like before you go there, I’m sure Googling it will bring up a good number of images. The grave itself is in the grounds of the Parish Church of my name-sake, Saint Martin in Bladon. Another noted building is The White House in Bladon. This is a community public house, having recently been bought through a local share scheme, so you may wish to support it with your patronage.