Aston Rowant Walk

Route Description for Aston Rowant Walk

To start the Aston Rowant walk, head to the southern end of the car park - located on your right as you drive in - and find the trail in the left corner. Look out for the easy-to-follow white arrows on trees, pillars, and posts marking the route along the way. Take the left fork at the trailhead and follow it through the trees for 950 m until you reach a wooden kissing gate. Pass through the gate and take a moment to enjoy the picturesque views! Be sure to watch for red kites flying above, and herds of deer below.

Walk downhill across the field directly in front of you, passing through another wooden gate as you continue following the trail through the field in the same direction. The next wooden gate will lead you through a gap in the hedge and onto a private lane. Turn left and follow this lane for almost a mile as it passes by a small farm on your right, climbs uphill to the left, and continues past another house at the top before you reach a metal kissing gate. Head through the gate and walk to the road, turning left to follow the road for about 50 m, ignoring the first bridleway almost opposite. Enter the second bridleway on the right, next to the large gates and parking area, into the Aston Rowant Nature Reserve.

Follow the path straight ahead and stop to enjoy the view from the picnic benches. These benches, and another bench in half a mile, are great places to enjoy a picnic or a snack!

From the picnic benches, turn right and continue on for about 25m through the wooden gate. Turn left here and walk downhill for just over 0.8 km, following the trail along the right-hand side of the field and passing through 3 more gates along your way.

The final gate leads into a rough parking area with the entrance to Hill Farm on your right. Walk straight ahead along the lane until you come to an open area with parking. Turn left here onto the Ridgeway, leaving the motorway behind you.

Walk along the Ridgeway for 0.5 km until you see a footpath on your left. Pass through the wooden gate, across a small flat field, and through another gate into the woods. Continue through the small patch of woodlands and exit through a gate into the next field. Turn left here and, still following the white arrows, follow the field edge for the next half a mile. Finally, you will reach a large wooden gate in the far right corner of the field.

Enjoy one more glimpse of the beautiful views behind you, before passing through the gate and climbing up a steep, often muddy, hill. Pass through the gate at the top and continue uphill directly through the field in front of you until you reach the road.

Take the trail directly opposite and follow it all the way back to the car park on your left.

Trail highlights

Aston Rowant

Located in south Oxfordshire, Aston Rowant (historically known as Aston Rohant) is a civil parish and village with a population of just under 800 people. This had been higher during the 19th Century, holding a population of just under 900; however, the parish also included the village of Stokenchurch at that time.

A fair number of historical artifacts have been found in the parish, including a large Roman vessel with five smaller ones held within it that were discovered during the 17th Century in Kingston Blunt. Additionally, 350 sceattas - 7/8th Century silver coins - were found in the parish during the latter half of the 20th Century. Some were of Anglo-Saxon origin; however, the majority were minted near the mouth of the Rhine River, leading archaeologists to believe that the hoard of coins could have belonged to a trader travelling along the Icknield Way.

Find other great walks in Chiltern Hills:

• Hurley Loop Walk
• Wendover Loop Walk
• Hambleden Lock Walk

Insider Hints for Aston Rowant Walk

• Wear waterproof shoes in spring or after heavy rainfall.
• Remember to come prepared with food and drink as nearby resources are limited.