Chipping Warden - Edgcote - Wardington - Cropredy Circular Walk

10.9 miles (17.5 km)

This route from Chipping Warden uses sections of the Battlefields Trail, the Oxford Canal Walk and the Macmillan Way to create a circular walk through the area. On the way you will pass through Edgcote, Wardington and Cropredy with fine views over the Cherwell Valley and a visit to two historic battlefields.
This varied walk combines peaceful Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire countryside with an important chapter in England's history.... The route crosses rolling farmland, follows quiet country lanes and visits the picturesque Cherwell Valley, where attractive riverside scenery, historic villages and the Oxford Canal create a rewarding day's walking.
The start point is Chipping Warden, a historic hilltop village in West Northamptonshire, set amidst rolling farmland with fine views across the surrounding countryside. The village has medieval origins and is centred on the attractive Church of St Peter and St Paul, parts of which date back to the thirteenth century. Its elevated position and network of surrounding footpaths make it an excellent base for exploring the Cherwell Valley and nearby historic sites.
One of the highlights is the visit to the battlefield of Edgcote, where the Battle of Edgecote Moor took place in 1469 during the Wars of the Roses. Later in the walk you visit Cropredy, the scene of the Battle of Cropredy Bridge in 1644, when Royalist forces under King Charles I defeated the Parliamentary army during the English Civil War. The waymarked Battlefields Trail includes interpretation points explaining the significance of both sites and the events that unfolded there.
The route also includes an attractive stretch of the Oxford Canal Walk, with narrowboats, historic bridges and abundant waterside wildlife adding to the interest. The villages of Edgcote, Wardington and Cropredy all retain much of their traditional rural character, with stone cottages, historic churches and welcoming pubs providing pleasant places to pause before returning to Chipping Warden.
Pubs and More Info
Head to the Griffin Inn in Chipping Warden for some post walk refreshment. The pub serves good food which you can enjoy in the large garden area. Dog friendly and located at Culworth Rd, OX17 1LB.