Charlbury via Spelsbury circular

Walk towards the Community Centre on the right side of the car park. At the cycle shelter you will see a footpath going between two walls. Take this path leading to Nine Acres Lane. Cross the road and take the footpath opposite (Taston). 1

Follow the footpath bearing right, go through a gate into the cemetery, cross and through another gate into a field.

Walk down the field bank, through a gate at the bottom of the valley, go over the bridge and through a second gate. Walk diagonally right across the field cutting off the corner of a further field. Continue in the same direction ignoring the path on the left. At the far side of the field make for a gap in the hedge, this leads to a path between two hedges, turn left. 2

Walk through the gate and turn right to walk towards some buildings keeping the hedge on your right 3. Go through the gate at the end of the field and continue in the same direction and leave the path as it swings to the right near the farm house. Go straight on through a gate keeping close to the hedge.

When you reach a hedge on your left keep walking in the same direction until you meet a lane and the cottages of Taston are visible. Turn right into the lane and turn left when you reach the road. Walk through the village looking out for the ornate fountain well hidden on your right to reach the cross in the centre of the village. 4

The large stone on the right beyond the Cross is the remains of a Neolithic tomb. There was no church in the village, visiting priests used the cross to preach.

Leave the Cross to follow the track to Spelsbury. Turn left after approx. 100 metres. After a further 50 metres take the path through a gate on the right and follow the wall behind the cottage to another gate. Continue down the field and through a wooded area to Taston Brook and over a bridge.

Continue along the path through a gate which leads into a tree plantation. Take the metal gate at the far end and walk along the top of the field which turns into a track leading into Spelsbury.

Turn left onto a lane and then right at the main road. There is no footpath here.

At the village hall turn left and follow the No Through Road towards the church. Take the footpath before the church signed Charlbury making for the wooden gate after the last house 5. Continue gently downhill, through a gate into the field beyond to eventually join the track leading to Coldron Mill.

There is a pedestrian gate to use just to the right of the cattle grid. The path is well signed through these private grounds.

Go past the front of the house, by the mill race keeping the diamond patterned willow hedge on your left.

Take the path straight ahead to cross a brook. After two more gates you reach a track going through Dean Grove. Turn left and walk along this track which can be quite damp. After about 200 metres keep a look out for a gate on your left 6 and go in that direction, through the gate and uphill across an open field making for the clump of trees.

Follow the track right just before you reach the trees and you soon reach a metal field gate. Continue left with trees either side of the path. At the next field boundary go through the gate with the waymark Oxfordshire Way . Follow this route through several field boundaries until you reach a road, Pound Hill.

Cross the bridge over the stream here. Follow the path through several gates between fields. 7

Both routes reach Pound Hill, either:

a. Follow the track to the right along Water Lane. (Can flood when wet), or

b. Cross the track, pass through the gate and straight ahead across a field, gate and another field making for Charlbury ahead. The final gate leads onto the road. Turn up Pound Hill and continue to the Rose and Crown pub at the crossroads in the village centre. Turn left into Browns Lane to the Co-op.

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