Adderbury and Bloxham Grove

The Adderbury and Bloxham Grove walk is a charming 5-kilometre circular route that offers the perfect introduction to the North Oxfordshire countryside, combining the rich heritage of Adderbury village with the peaceful beauty of Bloxham Grove woodland. This easy walk is ideal for those seeking a shorter countryside ramble without sacrificing historical interest or natural beauty. The walk begins in Adderbury, one of North Oxfordshire's most attractive villages, renowned for its honey-coloured limestone cottages and houses that characterize the older parts of the settlement. Adderbury has enjoyed aristocratic connections dating back to Saxon times and was historically a prosperous place, though it suffered badly during the Black Death of 1348. The village is divided into three distinct areas: Adderbury village itself, East Adderbury with its 16th-century manor house featuring distinctive diamond-patterned brick chimney-stacks, and West Adderbury. The undisputed jewel of Adderbury is the Church of St Mary the Virgin, widely considered one of the most magnificent parish churches in England. This extraordinary building showcases work from three distinct medieval periods. The transepts date from around 1250, on the cusp of Early English and Decorated Gothic styles. The tower, nave, and aisles were built between 1315 and 1344 in the Decorated period, while the chancel was rebuilt in the Perpendicular style between 1408 and 1419 by New College, Oxford, under the patronage of William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England. The church is celebrated for its breathtaking stone carvings by the Northern Oxfordshire School of carvers, whose work also adorns nearby Bloxham and Hanwell churches. The exterior friezes on the north and south walls are considered among the finest in England, depicting an extraordinary array of medieval life including musicians, villagers, fantastical beasts, and domestic scenes. The north frieze is particularly famous for its depiction of what appears to be a complete medieval village band, including a hurdy-gurdy player. Inside, the church features ornate carved capitals with intertwined human figures, elaborate roof corbels, and magnificent Decorated period window tracery, much of it ingeniously reconstructed by Sir George Gilbert Scott after the original tracery was removed in the late 18th century. The Perpendicular chancel, commissioned by William of Wykeham and built by master mason Richard Winchcombe, is a masterpiece in its own right, featuring a beautiful triple sedilia with piscina and stunning gargoyles on the exterior. From Adderbury, the route leads you into the surrounding countryside toward Bloxham Grove, a peaceful area of woodland and open fields that provides a tranquil contrast to the architectural splendours of the village. The grove offers a gentle walking experience through mixed woodland, with well-maintained paths that are accessible throughout most of the year. The woodland is home to a variety of native trees and provides habitat for local wildlife, making it particularly pleasant during spring when wildflowers carpet the forest floor, and in autumn when the leaves turn golden. The walk through Bloxham Grove follows easy, well-marked paths with minimal elevation gain, making it suitable for walkers of all abilities, including families with children. The peaceful woodland atmosphere provides an opportunity to enjoy the sounds of birdsong and the rustling of leaves, offering a moment of tranquility away from village life. The route then loops back toward Adderbury, completing the circular walk through a mixture of field paths and quiet lanes. Throughout the walk, you'll enjoy views across the gently rolling North Oxfordshire landscape, with its characteristic hedgerows and agricultural fields. The terrain is generally flat to gently undulating, with good path surfaces that remain accessible in most weather conditions, though some sections can become muddy after heavy rain. The walk typically takes between 1 to 1.5 hours to complete at a leisurely pace, though visitors should allow additional time to explore St Mary's Church, which alone deserves at least 30 minutes to an hour to fully appreciate its extraordinary carvings and architecture. The church is usually open during daylight hours, and a detailed guidebook is available inside. Adderbury village offers refreshment opportunities, with traditional pubs and cafes providing welcome stops before or after the walk. The village also has a strong tradition of Morris dancing, which died out by the end of the 19th century but was successfully revived in the 1970s, and visitors may occasionally encounter performances during the summer months. This walk is accessible year-round, though spring and summer offer the best conditions for enjoying both the woodland and the village at their most attractive. The combination of outstanding medieval architecture, peaceful woodland walking, and charming village character makes the Adderbury and Bloxham Grove walk an excellent choice for those seeking a shorter but richly rewarding countryside experience in North Oxfordshire.