SOUTH EAST
■Distance: 5¼ miles/8.5km ■Time: 2½ hours ■Grade: Easy
This loop through three lovely Oxfordshire villages passes a windmill, thatched cottages, ancient barns and manor houses. As well as some really interesting old buildings, there is lots of wildlife to look out for, from squirrels and skylarks to foxes and red kites. The impressive country churches along the route are worth a peek inside. St Peter’s in Great Haseley combines three centuries of architecture and contains the 12th-century tomb of a knight in armour. In St Mary’s church in Great Milton, the Dormer monument under the tower is a grand seventeenth-century work of art with details picked out in gold. Nearby is Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, owned by French chef Raymond Blanc. Perhaps more realistically for post-walk refreshments The Bull is an old thatched and beamed pub by the village green and there is a popular French restaurant just off the route in Great Haseley.
1 Start
From Post Office bus stop in Great Milton, walk along High Street, keeping phone box on L and soon passing recreation ground. Fork L at village green near Bull pub and continue L along Thame Road. Soon after houses end on L, turn R on footpath signed Great Haseley into Old Field. Keep R on path with trees soon on L. Cross A329 and keep straight along drive to windmill.
ROUTE
Start/parking Post Office bus stop in Great Milton/ roadside parking nearby or near recreation ground, postcode OX44 7NT, grid ref SP629029 Is it for me?
Simple route, mostly easy, level paths and tracks and quiet lanes. Occasional mud.
Two main road crossings and a bit of roadside walking Stiles 5
PLANNING
Nearest town Thame Refreshments The Bull (thebullgreatmilton.co.uk), Table d’Alix in Great Haseley (latabledalix.co.uk) Public toilets St Peters church, Great Haseley Public transport Bus 46 (oxfordbus.co.uk) from Oxford to Great Milton Maps OS Explorer 180; Landranger 165
2 ¾ mile/1.2km
Beyond windmill, keep straight by several fields and grassy path towards
