The River Thames winding through Shillingford in Oxfordshire, with boats, fields, and riverside houses.

Oxfordshire – Chalk Hills, River Valleys, and Rolling Farmland

Chalk escarpments, broad floodplains, and low wooded hills between the Thames Valley and the Cotswolds

Oxfordshire is a county of chalk downland, river valleys, mixed woodland, and farmland in South East England. Walking routes cross the Chilterns National Landscape and follow the Thames Path, the Ridgeway, Oxfordshire Way, and d’Arcy Dalton Way, linking places such as Oxford, Henley-on-Thames, Thame, Wallingford, and Banbury across riverside paths, ridge tracks, and open countryside.

Much of the terrain is firm and gently rolling underfoot. Field paths, bridleways, woodland tracks, and towpaths allow steady progress with mostly moderate gradients, while steeper climbs occur along the Chiltern escarpment and ridge sections of the Ridgeway.

The landscape shifts between areas. The south and east are defined by chalk hills and wooded valleys within the Chilterns, the centre follows the broad Thames floodplain with meadow and pasture, and the north rises toward the limestone edge of the Cotswolds with higher farmland and market towns.

Towns and villages are frequent along the river and main valleys, creating regular access points for shorter walks and longer point-to-point routes across connected countryside.

Trails and Routes Through Oxfordshire

Thames Path

A National Trail following the River Thames between Cricklade and the Thames Barrier, passing through Oxford, Wallingford, and Henley-on-Thames on towpaths and riverside tracks.

The Ridgeway

A National Trail running along chalk ridges between Avebury and Ivinghoe Beacon, crossing southern Oxfordshire on elevated tracks and open downland.

Oxfordshire Way

A county-length route linking Bourton-on-the-Water with Henley-on-Thames through farmland, woodland, and village paths.

d’Arcy Dalton Way

A long-distance route crossing the county between the Thames and the Cotswolds on field paths and rural tracks.

Phoenix Trail

A traffic-free former railway path between Thame and Princes Risborough used for walking and cycling.

Walking Character

• Chalk hills and ridge paths
• Riverside meadows and floodplain
• Woodland and farmland tracks
• Towpaths and former railway trails
• Frequent villages and market towns
• Rolling and inland

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Oxfordshire located?

Oxfordshire is in South East England between Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire, centred on the Thames Valley around Oxford.

What defines walking here?

River corridors, chalk hills, farmland paths, and wooded countryside with generally moderate gradients.

Are there long-distance routes here?

Yes. The Thames Path and Ridgeway National Trails cross the county, alongside several county and regional routes.

Is the terrain steep?

Most terrain is gently rolling, with steeper sections along the Chiltern escarpment and ridge paths.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring through autumn offers firmer ground and longer daylight, while winter conditions can be muddy on fields and floodplain paths.