Oxford to Banbury

Built in the late 18th century to carry commercial barges between Coventry and Oxford, the Oxford Canal is one of the country’s most beautiful inland waterways to explore. This route along the towpath takes you through the picturesque scenery of the Cherwell Valley as the canal follows the gentle meandering course of the River Cherwell to Banbury.

Begin your walk along the Oxford Canal from the city centre, following the canal through Jericho to the north of the city to enjoy the open views of Port Meadow. Cross Port Meadow to enjoy a pint at The Perch, a historic thatched pub. At Upper Wolvercote, leave the canal towpath to explore the ruins of Godstow Abbey and visit The Trout Inn, a 17th century pub overlooking the River Thames and a favourite of Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse.

Continuing north past Kidlington, you might want to stop for refreshments at Thrupp - a pretty canal side village where rosecovered terraced houses line the towpath and there are two popular pubs, The Jolly Boatman and The Boat Inn, as well as a tea room. From here the canal follows the winding course of the Cherwell river, joining with it for occasional stretches.

Tucked away close to the canal, Tackley is a characterful rural village of stone buildings and a church of Saxon origin. Home to a couple of quaint bed and breakfasts, the Gardiner Arms pub and a well-stocked village shop with a café, the village makes a good base for exploring the local countryside.

Further north up the canal, the towpath brings you past the grounds of Rousham House, a Jacobean country house with wonderful gardens which can be visited. The gardens were landscaped by William Kent in the early 18th century and represent the first phase of English landscape design. Many of the features created in the 18th century are still there today.

At Lower Heyford Wharf, Heyford railway station is directly beside the canal, with trains back to Tackley and Oxford or ahead to Banbury. The village of Lower Heyford marks approximately the halfway point between Oxford and Banbury and options for an overnight stay include a canal side bed and breakfast as well as Heyford House and The Holt Hotel. The village’s pub, The Bell Inn, dates from the 17th century and there is also a café/bistro at Lower Heyford Wharf with gardens overlooking the canal.

Refreshed from a stop in Heyford, continue along the canal as it follows the winding course of the River Cherwell north to Aynho Wharf. This is one of the waterway’s most appealing stretches as it turns into more open countryside and you will pass the picturepostcard lock-keeper’s cottage at Somerton Deep Lock. Close to Aynho Wharf is the Great Western Arms, a traditional country pub serving the local Hook Norton ales.

From Aynho Wharf continue to Twyford Wharf and then the market town of Banbury where you will find The Light, an exciting entertainment centre which opened in 2022 with a premium seven screen cinema, 10 lane bowling alley and waterfront restaurants, and Lock 29, an appealing canal side venue with a range of artisan food and drink outlets. Make sure you take a guided tour of the historic Tooley’s Boatyard which dates from 1788 and is the oldest dry dock working boatyard on the inland waterways.

There are inviting cafes and pubs in the Old Town, including the 16th century Ye Olde Reindeer Inn where the wood panelled Globe Room is believed to have been used by Oliver Cromwell as a base during the Civil War. Finally, don’t leave Banbury without sampling Banbury cakes - delicious spiced and currant-filled pastries which have been made to a secret recipe for over four hundred years!

Itinerary: Oxford Canal

Lower Heyford (0.8km from Rousham)

Aynho (16.6km from Lower Heyford)

Banbury (11km from Aynho)

The Trout Inn Rousham House Lock29