A Walk Through Thrupp
Thrupp, home to three of our seven holiday cottages, is a small canal-side hamlet and truly an idyllic location in Oxfordshire. The area is especially beloved by our guests, which is why the Worton Park team has put together a scenic circular walk taking you along the picturesque Oxford Canal, through the Oxfordshire countryside, and into the Thrupp community Woodland. As you explore the route, you'll encounter colourful canal boats, historical ruins and plenty of opportunities to take a break in one of the fantastic pubs and restaurants along the way.
Route Details:
Distance: 3miles/5.3km Extended Route: 4miles/6.4km
Estimated time: 1.5 - 2 hrs Estimated time: 2 - 2.5 hrs
Elevation gain: 16m Elevation gain: 22m
Starting Location: Annie's Tea Rooms, Canal Rd, Thrupp, Kidlington OX5 1JZ
You can find an electronic version of the route on AllTrails by clicking here
Please be aware that some areas are at risk of flooding and therefore can be muddy or underwater. The route also includes some gates and stiles so may not suit persons with limited mobility.
Starting your journey from Annie’s Tea Room, walk toward the canal and turn right before the lift bridge onto the towpath.
Follow the canal up to a stone bridge numbered 220. Back when canal boats were a more prominent transport method, these numbers helped boaters find their way using logbooks and towpath mile markers. From this section of towpath, you can view The Holy Cross Church in Shipton-on-Cherwell, a pretty little Gothic church perched above the canal. Rebuilt in 1831 by the painter William Turner of Oxford. Turn right once you reach the stone bridge into the fields.
Keep following the footpath through the field and use the footbridge to cross the River Cherwell, then go under the railway bridge.
You’ll eventually come across St Giles’ Church in Hampton Gay which dates back to at least 1074. Its current structure was rebuilt in the 18th century and renovated in the 19th century in an Early English Gothic style. The church is typically locked but holds services a few times a year, with more details available on the Akeman Benefice website.
Continue through the fields, which once was the Hampton Gay village. Historically, Hampton Gay featured a manor house, a church, a mill, and at least seventeen cottages housing the workers and their families.
Today, the most notable landmarks are the church and the ruins of an Elizabethan manor house, which was destroyed by a fire in 1887. The village suffered three separate fires, the first two occurring at the mill, which was rebuilt after each. In 1887, a third fire overwhelmed the manor house, this was the same year that the mill finally closed. Along with the house and mill went many livelihoods! Over time as workers died or moved away, the village diminished. At its peak, it housed 86 villagers. The population has significantly declined over time, with only a few residences remaining.
The ruins can be viewed from the footpath.
Continue following the footpath past the manor onto the country road past the last few residential cottages in Hampton Gay. Turn off the road back into the countryside towards Hampton Poyle.
The next village you will reach is Hampton Poyle, coming into the village with a church on your right. Here you have the option to head along Church Lane towards The Bell Inn for refreshments.
The Bell Inn was a historic 17th-century roadside inn and former alehouse and today operates as an independent boutique hotel, pub, and restaurant. It’s also a handy watering hole about halfway along the route if in need of refreshment.
Once you've rested up, head past the church, straight across the road towards White Bridge to continue the route.
Return to the footpath and cross the White Bridge, then turn right heading to the Thrupp Community Woodland. Continue through the woodland until you reach the end of the route at Annie’s Tea Room.
The Thrupp Community Woodland is carefully managed by the team here at Worton Park. We have planted in excess of 80,000 trees, creating an important habitat for wildlife to thrive. It also makes for some beautiful walks enjoyed by the local community, whilst providing a vital carbon sink.
Annie's Tea Room is a delightful spot with a rich history, originally part of the old British Waterways Yard. This charming building has been beautifully renovated, now a cafe and ice cream shack. It’s a great spot to enjoy a relaxing meal, afternoon tea and ice cream while taking in the picturesque surroundings at the end of the route. They also have canoes and kayaks available to hire for some blissful time on the water.
If you would like to enjoy a longer route, carry on down the footpath after crossing the bridge, which will take you towards Kidlington. This adds an extra mile.
Follow the footpath through the Oxfordshire Countryside, across the railway bridge and over the Sparrowgap Bridge, which takes you over the canal to the Jolly Boatman.
The Jolly Boatman sits alongside the beautiful Oxford Canal with canal-side seating perfect for sitting outside watching the canal boats go by in the summer months.
Another great opportunity to grab a quick refreshment or continue along the canal toward Thrupp.
The towpath takes you straight back into Thrupp, past The Boat Inn (for your third potential drink!) and the honey-coloured cottages, back to the lift bridge and Annie's Tea Room, completing the route.
We hope you manage to enjoy this walk during your stay with us.