If you enjoy exploring on foot, Charlbury offers a choice of two circular walks, 4 and 8 miles long. Another walking option combines a train journey to Kingham with the return journey on foot to Charlbury. The town is also set in the Evenlode Valley, on the edge of the Cotswolds and Wychwood Forest, and has a local history reflected in its buildings and former trades.
Walks of different lengths
Route 1 of the Charlbury circular walks is 8 miles long. It starts in the old town centre and leads through the ancient Wychwood Forest in Cornbury Park. Route 2 is half as long, at 4 miles. It runs northwest of Charlbury, follows the Evenlode Valley and uses part of the Oxfordshire Way. The two walks therefore differ both in length and in the landscapes they pass through.
Another option is to walk the Oxfordshire Way from Kingham: travel there by train, then walk back to Charlbury. This option combines a train journey with a walk back to the place you set out from. When comparing it with the two Charlbury circular walks, the main differences are the starting points and routes; no walking times are given for these routes.
There is also a dedicated choice for cycling: the Cotswold Line Cycle Route runs from Charlbury to Moreton and is available in 8- or 19-mile variants. Both variants have the same stated endpoints but differ in length. This lets you choose a cycling route by a different distance from the shorter or longer walks. Check current route conditions before setting out on a walk.
A townscape of stone and green spaces
In the centre of Charlbury, houses and shops are built from Cotswold stone. Their slate roofs come from the nearby village of Stonesfield. This mix of materials offers a tangible clue to the town centre: stone defines the buildings, while the slate connects them to the neighbouring village. Charlbury also lies in the Evenlode Valley, on the edge of the Cotswolds and Wychwood Forest. These different landscape settings give the town a distinct setting without requiring a long walk.
In the heart of Charlbury is The Playing Close, a peaceful green space used mainly for recreation. It complements the walking routes and historic buildings with a different focal point: a central area whose main purpose is recreation. The railway station is another landmark in the townscape. Designed by Brunel, it lies in the Evenlode Valley below the town.
Church, market history and crafts
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Charlbury is a minster church; the Church of St Mary in Charlbury is a Grade I listed building. Another historic milestone is 1256, when Charlbury was granted a charter to hold a weekly market. The charter is part of the town’s history and provides a date marking Charlbury’s development.
For around 150 years, glove-making was an important source of employment in Charlbury. The closure of the businesses brought this local industry to an end. Along with the market charter and the church, this trade reveals different aspects of the town’s history: religious heritage, commerce and work. Charlbury Museum also displays an Oxfordshire wagon, agricultural equipment and tools used by local craftspeople. The exhibits connect farming and crafts with subjects that also feature in the town’s history.
Charlbury therefore offers several distinct themes to plan around: walks of 4 or 8 miles, a route involving a train journey to Kingham and a walk back, and a cycle route in two lengths. In town, the church, historic market charter, former glove-making industry and museum exhibition offer different ways to explore local history. You can shape your stay around whether you would rather spend more time on the routes or exploring its history.
Discover more destinations: Chesterton, Clifton Hampden, Ipsden, Chipping Norton, Horspath, Didcot, Henley On Thames, Aston Rowant.
For the regional travel overview: Oxfordshire.
