A walker's guide following the Oxfordshire county boundary

Day 8 - Ludgershall to Waterperry - 12.5 miles

We follow the boundary over Oxfordshire's Muswell Hill, then, despite the intrusion of the motorway, find an opportunity to visit a rare duck decoy and to enjoy the flowers of an ancient woodland in Hell Coppice.  The day ends with a chance to visit the Waterperry Gardens.




Day 9 - Waterperry to Henton - 11.1 miles

The route is across the low-lying land of the valley of the River Thames; we cross it by its ancient bridges.  Thame is the lively market town reached half-way through the day.  From there we continue on flat land to Henton with the scarp stone of the Chiltern Hills rising sharply in front of us.




Day 10 - Henton to Northend - 11.5 miles

This is a day spent in glorious beechwoods in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The trees, originally planted for the furniture industry, offer recreation amongst typical chalk downland and woodland fauna and flora.  100 miles of the route are achieved north of Sprigs Alley.  This area is sparsely populated so take plenty of food and water.




Day 11 - Northend to Henley-on-Thames - 11 miles

A day of mainly gradual descent through woodland and open fields travelling through the graciousness of Stonor and Henley Parks to meet the boundary at the River Thames.




Day 12 - Henley-on-Thames to Tilehurst - 12.4 miles

A day of riverside walking, much of it following the Thames Path, pleasing at any time of the year, with quiet stretches in between the busy river fronts of Reading and Caversham.  We pass where Oscar Wilde was imprisoned, and follow the path made by barge horses in times when much cargo was water-borne.  We reach the sixth shire, Berkshire.




Day 13 - Tilehurst to Moulsford - 11.2 miles

Further riverside walking along water-meadows between villages, with tile-hung houses and plenty of opportunities for pleasant refreshment breaks.  We pass what is thought to be the oldest crossing of the Thames, and find a tree linked to the primeval 'wild wood'.




Day 14 - Moulsford to West Ilsley - 10.2 miles

This day on top of the Berkshire Downs provides wide skyscapes.  Farmers have successfully farmed rabbits, sheep and arable crops here, but these wide open unfenced stretches are also ideal for the horse-racing world.  We reach 150 miles along our way on the top of Hodcott Down, and end the day in the shelter of one of the isolated villages which provides food and water to both animal and man.