Somerton - The Heyfords

Ron and Jenny Glynn

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Starting from the canal-bridge just before the beautiful village of Somerton, the first part of the walk is along a country road. As you near the bridleway leading off the road, you can see in the distance to your right, the hangars of the once prominent US Air Force base. The route takes the perimeter fence of the huge infrastructure where air force families lived and from where F111s were regularly flown. The views across the Cherwell Valley are wonderful from this point.

The Heyfords are picturesque villages lying alongside the Southern Oxford Canal and are full of interest and charm.
The considerable canal section of this walk runs parallel with the River Cherwell and the Oxford to Birmingham branch of the old Great Western Railway, crossing and then running alongside also. The flood meadows of the River Cherwell run alongside the towpath of this stretch and can look like a great lake at times of flood. The locks and graceful arched bridges add interest and charm as you meander on your way back to the beginning of the walk.

England - Central England - Oxfordshire - Canal Walk

Features

Birds, Church, Great Views, Pub, River

1/25/2021 - Dennis Johnson

Really nice walk. The canal towpath on the way back can get pretty muddy particularly if there is water sitting in the floodplains next to it ! Well described direction throughout though.

8/6/2011 - Steve Moore

A lovely walk, well detailed and easy to follow. Quite strange walking so close to the now quiet Upper Heyford air base which was once such a hive of activity. Just one correction - at point 12 it is bridge 196 where you leave the canal.