Up and over Shotover Hill

Join us on this walk on the eastern edge of the dreaming spires of Oxford with its mix of charming villages, stunning woodland and panoramic views (after a stiff climb!). 

Stanton St. John is a chocolate box village that existed at the time of the Domesday Book with the manor owned by William the Conqueror's half-brother no less! It also had a significant role in the English Civil War as Royalist forces stationed themselves here whilst Oxford was under siege. It's imposing 12th Century church will start us on our journey across the fields and through Holton Wood.

We then cross the busy A40 to London and reach the large village of Wheatley, where the limestone used to built Windsor Castle was quarried. We will see the old village lock-up where drunkards were kept under lock and key overnight until they were sent to court in Oxford. If you want to get locked up apparently you can visit on May Day for the opportunity (and get a certificate)!

We leave the village westwards towards and through the grounds of Shotover Park house, including an atmospheric walk under the tree-lined drive. It's at this point where the walk goes decidedly upwards to the top of Shotover Hill. Once at the top we will take a walk through the woodland and find a suitable place for lunch. There are a few steep ups and downs in Shotover Country Park depending on the route taken so we will take a view on how the group is feeling. 

The views from the top of Shotover towards the south-west of Oxfordshire are a great place to take a breather. Once we've taken in the sights, we will head downhill again through a nature reserve named after CS Lewis, author of the Narnia books. Out the other end we will pass his house, The Kilns, where the books were written. He is buried in the nearby church in Headington Quarry.

We are right on the edge of the city here, and we will pass under the A40 again and make our way back out into the countryside towards the village of Forest Hill. After this we will walk the final leg back towards Stanton St John, with an optional visit to the Talkhouse pub (named after the telephone box that still stands outside) before finishing up.

Depending on the time and route taken through Shotover Country Park, total distance is around 11.5miles. There are 2 fairly stiff climbs but we can take our time as there's plenty to take in! Stiles are only in place near the beginning and end of the walk. 

Don't waste that space!

With less winter walks please only book if you know you can make it. If your plans change please free up the space for someone else.

Is it dog friendly? 

Dogs are welcome on the walk but please abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h). Bear in mind there will be livestock in some of the fields near the start and end of the walk so they will need to be on a lead or very well controlled. There are also usually a fair amount of other dogs and (possibly feral) children being given walks through Shotover so do bear in mind how well your dog might cope with this. 

New Members

Please feel free to join this as your first OutdoorLads event. If you have any questions then feel free to message me, or go to the "My First Event" section under "About Us".

Image / photo credits: All images taken by the event leader with permission for ODL use.

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