The best walks near Oxford, UK

11. Uffington White Horse and Dragon Hill

The views and history of this special area of the UK just keep on giving. Another of my favourite walks near Oxford, the views are just stunning. And there’s a big car park for Uffington White Horse as well which makes walking here super easy.

But it’s the history of this area that makes this walk really special for me. Uffington White Horse dates back to the Bronze Age, over 3000 years ago, and is the oldest white horse figure in Britain.

There’s also the hill here where (legend says) Saint George slayed the dragon. At the top of the hill is a bare patch of grass, which is said to be where the dragon’s blood was spilled and now no grass will grow there.

12. South Park, Oxford

Just to the East of the centre of Oxford in Headingon is the lovely South Park. From the top of this big park you get stunning views over the dreaming spires of Oxford city centre. It’s a lovely park for a picnic in the spring, and one of the more leisurely walks near Oxford. Or you can visit in autumn and admire the changing autumn colours on the trees.

South Park is also a great place to watch the sunset in the late summer over the iconic Oxford skyline. If you’re lucky, the colours are simply stunning.

13. Blenheim Palace grounds

Blenheim Palace is one of the most famous stately homes in the whole of the UK, so it definitely deserves a mention. It was the birthplace of Winston Churchill and is home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough. After visiting the house, make sure you take some time to explore the gardens. The views across the lake to the house are stunning.

Blenheim Palace grounds are huge, so you can easily lose the crowds of people near the lake and explore further afield.

14. Thame to Haddenham

Thame is a lovely small town between Oxford and Aylesbury, with some lovely countryside around it. There are footpaths that lead from Thame to the equally pretty village of Haddenham, and it was a lovely walk in the summer. I parked along Cromwell Avenue in Thame in the summer, then used Google maps to find my way through the fields of wheat and barley. There were hardly any point on this walk when I was there, even on a sunny summer weekend, so it’s definitely a great choice for one or your walks near Oxford.

15. Minster Lovell

The Cotswolds are stunning and deserve their own post for walks. One famous spot close to Oxford, just outside the lovely small town of Witney, is Minster Lovell. Minster Lovell is a perfect little village with a ruined Church and manor house next to the river, dating back to 1245.

It’s great to explore the ruins and read about the history, and there are also plenty of other walks you can do through the lovely Cotswold countryside and along the river – check out my blog on walks in the Cotswolds.

If you’re looking for a book with some longer walks in the Chilterns near Oxford, I’d recommend this walking guide (affiliate). There are some great walks of various lengths, and good maps so you won’t get lost!

Enjoy the stunning countryside for these lockdown walks near Oxford! If you’re looking for more walks nearby, check out my blogs on walks in Wiltshire, the Cotswolds and Buckinghamshire – all great places for a day out. Walking in nature can be so beneficial for out mental health – read my other blogs for my top tips for coping with isolation and looking after your mental health when you can’t travel.