WALKING THE OXFORD CANAL - END TO END - 85 MILES

ABOUT THE WALK AND MY STORY -

I had long wanted to walk this canal but my list of walks to do, just grows longer every month! However, I was determined to start the walk and set off from Coventry on a fine clear day and walked to Rugby. I planned to get back there o week later but rail works meent no trains. A month loter Covid 19 begon rearing its head and plans to resume were put on hold for four months. Then I was back in Rugby and set off for Braunston. Becouse of Covid the buses didn’t keep to schedule and I had to wait 3 hours for a bus back to Rugby and the train. It now meant that I would be spending more time travelling then walking! I got back the following weekend walked to Napton and eventually a bus. It was good to be walking the Grand Union Canal again for o few miles, for I hod walked oll that canal a couple of years ago to Birmingham. Then the following week took the train to Leamington Spa to catch a twice hourly bus to Napton. It arrived an hour late and only went os far as Southom, so I had five miles
extra to walk to Napton Junction and the stort of the next stage to
Banbury, 24 miles owoy! I walked more than 30 miles that doy, finally reaching Banbury Station in the dark at 9.30pm! But an unforgettable day!

A few days later back in Banbury and walked to Heyford for the bus
back. That left the final section to Oxford the following week, ond what a glorious walk it was. Sunshine, no other walkers, just o few friendly narrow-boaters. I mention all this to emphasise the dedication and single mindedness needed to walk a canal end to end. This guide is the story of my walk along the canal ond what I found along the way. I hove basically walked all the English canals and of them all this is my favourite for many reasons. Lovely gentle countryside, exceptionally nice boaters and people, good path, mostly shielded from wind and rain with a hedge beside the towpath. A scattering of inns and historical buildings. I saw no one walking, apart from a dog walker, along the towpath and hed the landscape to myself and an occasional boater.

As the miles slipped by I grew more and more attached to the conal os it became a best friend. I missed it when I finished a section and counted the days to when I would return and continue along its length. The last day was very special, passing ottractive locks and o canal village and onto the canal’s terminus in Oxford. Even the walk into Oxford, you were unaware you were in a city so rural and few houses. Reaching the road and traffic just beyond was a shock. I felt a deep loss that it was over and now trying to work out o canal I haven’t walked to lighten my heavy heart! Maybe I'll walk the River Thames again from its source?

Don't let my experiences affect your plans to do the walk, it was done in unusual circumstances. Set off and throughly enjoy this narrow canal through timeless countryside seaing the work of man, 200 years ago. This contouring canal weaves its way to Oxford and the inspiration of the canal engineer, James Brindley. He has left a great canal legacy despite his early death. It is a walk for body, mind and soul and you will be richer for it. Enjoy the walk and have on unforgettable time walking to Oxford.

A5 Walk Guide. 92 pages.

Embroidered Canal Badge and signed certificate from John Merrill for successful end to enders.

All walkers added to my Walkers Roll of Honour page