A Cotswold town and a deserted village
5 people attending
10 places left
Waitlist: This event could become fully booked, but if you'd like to attend, please add yourself to the waitlist. Places often become available closer to the date, and you are likely to get one.
Join us on this (mostly) gentle 8.5mile walk on the fringes of the Cotswolds as it meets Oxfordshire and centring on the charming Cotswold stone of Burford.
The walk will start in the village of Asthall and we will follow quiet lanes and footpaths around to Fulbrook and cross over the medieval bridge into the bustling town of Burford, often referred to as the "Gateway to the Cotswolds,". Known for its picturesque high street lined with the distinctive stone buildings, Burford boasts a rich history dating back to the 12th century. We will climb "The Hill" to get a fantastic view of the main street through the town with the green hills in the background.
We will then follow the course of the river Windrush to the deserted medieval village of Widford - now just a few houses and the 13th-century St Oswald's church remaining.
We will stop off at the Swan Inn at Swinbrook for some riverside refreshments before the short walk back to the start at Asthall.
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs are welcome to come along but be mindful not everyone likes dogs as much as you might. There can be livestock around some fields we pass through, and Burford can be very busy with cars and people so dogs will need to be on a lead in these areas.
New Members
Please feel free to join this as your first OutdoorLads event. If you have any questions then feel free to message me, or go to the "My First Event" section under "About Us".
Waitlist
If this event is fully booked and you want to attend, just add yourself to the waitlist, because places inevitably become available closer to the date.
Image / photo credits: All images taken by the event leader in March 2025 with permission for ODL use.
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What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in spring
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
Please bring packed lunch, snacks and plenty of water with you. We will stop in Burford before lunch if you need to buy anything on the way.