Walking between the village and the Chilterns

The Aston Rowant Discovery Trail is a fully signposted five-mile circular walk. It begins in the village of Aston Rowant and leads into the Chiltern Hills. The “Beacon Hill, Juniper Bank and Aston Wood walk” starts at the car park of Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve. The two routes therefore differ from the outset: the Discovery Trail begins in the village and is laid out as a circular route, while the other walk starts at the nature reserve car park. These are concrete points to consider when choosing a walk based on its starting point and route type.

The Ridgeway National Trail borders the nature reserve. The Ridgeway Long Distance Path (Icknield Way) runs from east to west through the Parish of Aston Rowant at the foot of the Chilterns. The Upper Icknield Way is also the Ridgeway National Trail; it was probably used as a drove road for more than 1,000 years. The names and locations thus tell different stories about the routes: one runs along the boundary of the reserve, while the other crosses the parish at the foot of the hills. Its probable former use as a drove road adds a long history of use to this sense of direction.

Nature on the escarpment

Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve lies on the northwestern escarpment of the Chiltern Hills, within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Aston Rowant Woods is a large area of ancient beech woodland. In the nature reserve, visitors can spot finches, fieldfares, redwings, red kites, wheatears, lesser whitethroats and blackcaps. Birdwatchers will find this another specific focus alongside the walking routes. The locations differ: the bird species listed are associated with the reserve, while the ancient beech woodland is in Aston Rowant Woods.

Building history in the village and along the route

The Church of St Peter and St Paul can be dated across several centuries by examining its different parts. The nave dates from the 12th century, the chancel from the 13th century, the tower and aisles from the 14th century, and the clerestory from the 15th century. The clerestory is the upper section of the nave wall. This sequence shows that the building’s history can be read in its different parts and is not limited to a single century.

In Aston Wood, a sunken lane from the area around the Icknield Way runs up the escarpment. On a plan drawn by B. Badock in 1824, a sunken lane is labelled “Old Wood Road.” Together with the church, these routes and architectural features offer further points of interest for a trip that takes in local history as well as landscape routes.

Fiveways: directions and local events

Fiveways is in Aston Rowant, at the junction of the Church Lane bridleway and the Lower Icknield Way. There is an information board on site. Every February, FAAG and the church organise duck races and cream teas at Fiveways. The events coincide with the peak flowering period for snowdrops. If you are travelling specifically to attend, check the event dates before your trip. FAAG also organises three community walks in Aston Rowant each year, together with Thames and Wheatley Ramblers and the Chiltern Society. Local walking opportunities therefore include both the routes described above and recurring community-led walks.

Discover more destinations: Swinbrook, Kidlington, Bampton, Wallingford, Waterperry, Milcombe, Middle Aston, Clifton Hampden

For the main travel overview: Oxfordshire.