Charlbury and the Secret Forest (27km) Print

CFSw01 Charlbury and The Secret Forest Waypoint 1
This 27km trail circles what remains of the ancient Wychwood Forest, taking in the villages of Ascott under Wychwood, Leafield, Stonesfield, North Leigh and the small town of Charlbury. The configuration of bridleways and quiet roads in the area makes it difficult to avoid riding through the outskirts of Charlbury. Traffic here is not particularly heavy or fast, but do take care when in the town. Charlbury and the Secret Forest is a ride not to be hurried. Take your time to enjoy this delightful corner of rural Oxfordshire. For more information please visit Oxfordshire County Council Website (click here). Parking is available along Whitings Lane at the crossroads 1km northeast of Delly End and North West of New Yatt, North Leigh (Grid Reference SP364138). Start at the crossroads, take the lane going east past The Bungalow and then, after 250m where the lane forks (left to Shakenoak Farm only), go right along North Leigh Lane. Fork left at Yatt (SP374135) and enter North Leigh via Green Lane. Pass The Woodman Inn and take the second left into Church Road, passing the church and riding down the hill to the T-junction with Boddington Lane. Turn left passing Fishill Cottage and ride 500m along the track to a bridleway (BW) on the right (SP386143) alongside Holly Court Farm. Continue along the BW which follows the stream to its junction with the river Evenlode where you bear right.

CFSw02 Charlbury and The Secret Forest Waypoint 2
Join the road and turn right to cross the Ashford Bridge (river). Head north up the hill to Bridgefield Bridge (railway), after which turn right and follow the road, which turns sharply north, for 1.5 Km, passing Spratt s Farm on your right before reaching a T-junction. Cross over to the BW opposite (SP386173) and follow this for 300m before turning left to Hill Barn Farm cottages where you take the left fork and join the Oxfordshire Way. Follow for 2.5km towards Charlbury until it joins the B4437 Woodstock Road, via Stonesfield Lane.

CFSw03 Charlbury and The Secret Forest Waypoint 3
Turning left, follow Woodstock Road for 400m to the junction with Sturt Road (B4022). Cross the road, turning right and then immediately left into Park Street, which bends to the right at the Church where it becomes Church Street. The Bell Hotel in Church Street is "horse friendly" has a hitching rail, grassed area and provides good food. At the junction with Market Street, turn left and then first left again into Dyers Hill which then becomes Forest Road (B4437) crossing Dyer s Hill Bridge over the river and then over the railway bridge at Charlbury Station.

CFSw04 Charlbury and The Secret Forest Waypoint 4
Up the hill, turn right onto the track signed Walcot; pass a farm on your right and ride due west along the BW. Upon reaching the road turn right and, almost immediately, turn left, passing Shorthampton on your right and riding south west to Chilson. At the minor road (SP319196) turn left and, after about 100m, right onto the BW leading to Ascott d Oyley. Here, take the lane into Ascott-under-Wychwood and at the T-junction turn left and ride up

CFSw05 Charlbury and The Secret Forest Waypoint 5
Cross the B4437 with care, and then head southwest then south on a minor road (Wychwood Way) which is heavily populated with pheasants. The road twists and turns downhill, passing Kingstanding Farm, by the ancient Wychwood Forest. This is the subject of The Secret Forest by Mollie Harris and it was this forest which once covered much of Oxfordshire. The track eventually meets Hatching Lane where you turn right to approach and enter Leafield at Lower End at T-junction.

CFSw06 Charlbury and The Secret Forest Waypoint 6
Turn left and proceed for 400m before reaching The Navy Oak Inn (this is now being refurbished as a Chinese Restaurant; name to be announced). Then turn right into Greenwich Lane. After 400m at Greenwich Lane farm take the left fork, signed to Pay Lane and follow the green lane for 1.7km to the B4022 at New Found Farm (SP345145). Cross the B4022 WITH CARE (very fast road with restricted visibility) directly opposite into BW (St Johns Lane). You could make a small detour along the minor road second left to reach The Royal Oak pub in Ramsden. St Johns Lane terminates where Turley Lane meets Blackbird Assarts Lane.

CFSw07 Charlbury and The Secret Forest Waypoint 7
Cross into the minor road opposite, pass Gigley Farm on your right and, at Whitings Lane, turn left to return to the crossroads from where you started your ride.