Cropredy Battlefield Walk

1.9 miles (3 km)

This circular walk takes you around the site of the 1644 Battle of Cropredy Bridge. The route uses part of the Oxford Canal Walk and the Battlefields Trail to take you around the historic site.
The walk explores a peaceful stretch of the Cherwell Valley where one of the most significant engagements of the English Civil War took place.... On 29 June 1644, Royalist forces commanded by King Charles I defeated a Parliamentary army led by Sir William Waller, helping to preserve the King's army during a crucial stage of the conflict. Information boards along the route help to explain the events of the battle and the surrounding landscape.
The route follows quiet riverside and canal-side paths, with the Oxford Canal Walk providing a particularly attractive section beside the water. The tranquil countryside of the Cherwell Valley is home to a variety of wildlife, with swans, herons, kingfishers and dragonflies frequently seen along the canal and river. Open fields around Cropredy retain much of the appearance they would have had at the time of the battle, adding to the historical atmosphere.
The village of Cropredy is well worth exploring before or after the walk. Its attractive stone cottages, historic bridge, parish church and canalside setting make it one of north Oxfordshire's most appealing villages. The village is also known for hosting the annual Cropredy Convention music festival, while the nearby canal offers further opportunities for waterside walking.