Walks Round Kidlington
We are fortunate to be surrounded by some beautiful and interesting towns, villages and countryside. Oxford and its College and Thameside walks lies only a few miles south of us.
To the North-West and West lies Woodstock and the Cotswolds; to the North, the Oxford Canal walks and to the East, Otmoor, the Otmoor Villages and the RSPB Reserve walks.
However, the countryside immediately surrounding our village is full of history and beauty. The purpose of this page is to introduce some of the walks that will enable you to explore these areas.
Our first two walks are over the meadows that lie between the eastern edge of Kidlington and the River Cherwell-sometimes referred to as The Cherwell Meadows.
See also the Kidlington and Gosford Zoo Trails.
Click onto this link for more information about Dog Bins
Kidlington Circular Walk
A 4 mile circular walk taking in St Mary’s Church, historic ruins, floodplains and the Oxford Canal.
St Mary’s Church in Kidlington is one of the finest churches in the county and is the starting point for this walk, which passes the ruins of the manor house at Hampton Gay, with views across the floodplain towards Kidlington spire. The route visits the tiny hamlet of Thrupp and travels past narrowboats along the banks of the Oxford Canal to Annie’s Tea Room.
Many species of bird have been spotted on this walk, including kingfishers along the banks of the River Cherwell.
Circulars Walks
If you’re looking for a walking route starting from St Mary’s Church in Kidlington, here’s a scenic circular walk that explores the countryside, the Oxford Canal, and nearby villages.
St Mary’s Church Kidlington Circular Walk
- Distance: 4.5 to 5 miles (7–8 km)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: Mix of paved paths, grassy trails, and canal towpaths
- Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Best for: Nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and those looking for a peaceful countryside walk
The 5-Mile Kidlington Circular Walk is a scenic route that explores the countryside around Kidlington, taking in sections of the Oxford Canal, River Cherwell, and surrounding villages.
Route Overview
- Distance: 5 miles (8 km)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: A mix of paved paths, grassy tracks, and canal towpaths
- Best Time to Walk: Spring to autumn (some parts may be muddy in wet weather)
- Starting Point: Kidlington High Street or Exeter Hall
Here’s a 5 km (3-mile) circular walk starting from Islip Church (St. Nicholas’ Church, Islip). It offers a mix of riverside scenery, countryside paths, and historic landmarks.
Islip Church Circular Walk (5 km / 3 miles)
- Start & End Point: St. Nicholas’ Church, Islip
- Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
- Duration: 1–1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: Mix of village paths, country lanes, and riverside trails
- Best Time to Walk: Spring to autumn (can be muddy in winter)
- Dog-friendly? Yes, but keep dogs on a lead near livestock.
Kidlington St Mary’s Short Easy Walk
This walk is designed to be suitable for those with limited mobility.
Our easy walks under 1 mile long are suggested as they are more accessible routes at the time of survey. The printable walk information is colourful and hopefully easy to use, providing a simple map and directions. The downloads also include information about path surfaces, widths and gradients.
This walk is 0.7 miles long.
Map and information leaflet for Kidlington St Mary’s short walk.
Find walks to help you get out and about in the Cherwell District promoted by CDC
Health Walks in Cherwell and South Northants
Further Afield
Find walks and rides to help you get out and about and enjoy Oxfordshire’s countryside promoted by OCC
Short Walks for those with limited mobility
We’re all about walking and talking. Whether you’re looking for people to walk and socialise with, or want to help improve the paths we all walk on, or both, there’s something for you with Oxfordshire Ramblers