A Woodstock Walk - Stepping Out
Map 0S 1:25,000 Explorer 180 ‘Oxford, Witney & Woodstock’.
Travel By rail — Combe station (information 08457 484950). NB Combe has only one train a day in each direction: from Hereford and Worcester, O8O4hrs Mon-Fri, 1O47hrs Sat; from London, 1835hrs Mon-Fri. 1516hrs, 1723hrs Sat. No Sunday service. By road — M4O to Oxford, A44 to Woodstock.
Walk directions Follow brown heritage “Blenheim” signs in Woodstock, through market place and past church. Just before Park Street curve left to Triumphal Arch, turn right down Chaucer’s Lane (443168). In 50yds, ahead down steps to A44 (443169). Left for 250yds, then left through kissing gate (441171) into Blenheim Park. Ahead towards corner of lake and Column of Victory; at lodge by lake corner (439171), keep ahead on road up valley for a mile. With Column to your left, bear right up drive (433174) towards Ditchley Gate for 2/3 mile to second cattle grid. Left here (427183- “Wychwood Way” yellow arrow) along Akeman Street for 2/3 mile to descend into trees; 30yds short of ladder-stile and wall, left (417178) along wet path. In 200yds, left over footbridge (yellow arrow) and out of trees. Bear a little to right; follow rutted track over field to reach conifer plantation. Turn right (422175) along plantation edge to T-junction of tracks; right (421171 — yellow arrow) to enter another belt of trees (418168). Cross ride at bottom; climb opposite bank to bear left with high stone wall on your right. In l50yds, right (419165— yellow arrow) over wall by ladder stile. Left for 50yds, then right (yellow arrow) up hedge to Park Road (418161). Right into Combe. Take gravelled path across churchyard and through wall gap (414159). Right around playing field and through tree grove. Cross next field to hedge (417158). Continue along right side of wood; in 100yds bear left, keeping trees on your left. At next corner of wood (420156) bear away right to reach Bolton’s Lane. Right along lane if going to Combe Station (418151). Otherwise, left for 250yds to fork; right along East End for 300yds to Combe Lodge (427157). Left through tall kissing gate into Blenheim Park. In 50yds, left; follow road, which in 1/3 mile descends into valley and bends left. Bear right here (428164 - “Slow Pheasants Crossing” sign) on grass path. In 200yds, left over stile and follow track along north shore of lake. In half a mile track rises; 200yds beyond top of rise, bear right (435164 - “CANADA” inscription on beech trunk), descending path to pass Fair Rosamund’s Well (437165) and reach drive at Great Bridge. Turn left to face Column of Victory; take right fork for 1/3 mile to lodge (439171). Turn right; retrace steps into Woodstock.
Length Seven and a half miles (nine from Combe Station).
Equipment Take binoculars for Last Judgment wall painting in Combe Church.
Refreshments Cock Inn, Combe; Blenheim Teashop, Park Street, Woodstock.
Accommodation Feathers Hotel, Market Street, Woodstock (01993 812291, www.feathers.co.uk): double b&b from £135.
Blenheim Park Open daily 9am-4.45pm. The Palace & Gardens reopen on February 12. Information: 08700 602080, www.blenheimpalace.com.
Travel By rail — Combe station (information 08457 484950). NB Combe has only one train a day in each direction: from Hereford and Worcester, O8O4hrs Mon-Fri, 1O47hrs Sat; from London, 1835hrs Mon-Fri. 1516hrs, 1723hrs Sat. No Sunday service. By road — M4O to Oxford, A44 to Woodstock.
Walk directions Follow brown heritage “Blenheim” signs in Woodstock, through market place and past church. Just before Park Street curve left to Triumphal Arch, turn right down Chaucer’s Lane (443168). In 50yds, ahead down steps to A44 (443169). Left for 250yds, then left through kissing gate (441171) into Blenheim Park. Ahead towards corner of lake and Column of Victory; at lodge by lake corner (439171), keep ahead on road up valley for a mile. With Column to your left, bear right up drive (433174) towards Ditchley Gate for 2/3 mile to second cattle grid. Left here (427183- “Wychwood Way” yellow arrow) along Akeman Street for 2/3 mile to descend into trees; 30yds short of ladder-stile and wall, left (417178) along wet path. In 200yds, left over footbridge (yellow arrow) and out of trees. Bear a little to right; follow rutted track over field to reach conifer plantation. Turn right (422175) along plantation edge to T-junction of tracks; right (421171 — yellow arrow) to enter another belt of trees (418168). Cross ride at bottom; climb opposite bank to bear left with high stone wall on your right. In l50yds, right (419165— yellow arrow) over wall by ladder stile. Left for 50yds, then right (yellow arrow) up hedge to Park Road (418161). Right into Combe. Take gravelled path across churchyard and through wall gap (414159). Right around playing field and through tree grove. Cross next field to hedge (417158). Continue along right side of wood; in 100yds bear left, keeping trees on your left. At next corner of wood (420156) bear away right to reach Bolton’s Lane. Right along lane if going to Combe Station (418151). Otherwise, left for 250yds to fork; right along East End for 300yds to Combe Lodge (427157). Left through tall kissing gate into Blenheim Park. In 50yds, left; follow road, which in 1/3 mile descends into valley and bends left. Bear right here (428164 - “Slow Pheasants Crossing” sign) on grass path. In 200yds, left over stile and follow track along north shore of lake. In half a mile track rises; 200yds beyond top of rise, bear right (435164 - “CANADA” inscription on beech trunk), descending path to pass Fair Rosamund’s Well (437165) and reach drive at Great Bridge. Turn left to face Column of Victory; take right fork for 1/3 mile to lodge (439171). Turn right; retrace steps into Woodstock.
Length Seven and a half miles (nine from Combe Station).
Equipment Take binoculars for Last Judgment wall painting in Combe Church.
Refreshments Cock Inn, Combe; Blenheim Teashop, Park Street, Woodstock.
Accommodation Feathers Hotel, Market Street, Woodstock (01993 812291, www.feathers.co.uk): double b&b from £135.
Blenheim Park Open daily 9am-4.45pm. The Palace & Gardens reopen on February 12. Information: 08700 602080, www.blenheimpalace.com.
Weekend Telegraph - by:Christopher Somerville - map:Claire Littlejohn