XX 12 the Manor onto trackway, parking at very end. Follow the river 2 miles downstream through endless open fields and many riverbank pools, all the way to remote Grafton Lock (weir pool, road access, 51.6920, -1.6079) and on to Radcot Bridge (campsite on island opposite the Swan Inn, OX18 2SX, 01367 810220). 20 mins, 51.6857, -1.6303 h2*a 10 Chimney Meadows, R Thames Meadows and nature reserve bordering a remote stretch of the Thames. Walk 2 miles downstream from Trout Inn at ,, Tadpole Bridge (SN7 8RF, 01367 870382). Or access via Chimney. You might also like to seek out the secret shallow glade pool and ford at Duxford, on opposite bank (51.6990, -1.4660). 40 mins, 51.6945, -1.4900 hz2a5
XX 10
11 Swinford Bridge, R Thames Beautiful meadows and quiet river, just outside Oxford. Peer into a secret wood or camp on an island. Explore downstream to the edge of secret ,, Wytham Great Wood (SSSI, permits needed to walk here Wytham.ox.ac.uk) or upstream, all the way beyond Pinkhill Lock (OX29 4JH, island with camping) by Farmoor Reservoir. 10 mins, 51.7746, -1.3594 d1
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Oxford & Cotswolds
12 Port Meadow, R Thames Oxford’s largest area of grazing common land. Two miles of river with beaches and grassy meadow on both banks, burial mounds and migratory birds. Two pubs. Park near the Trout Inn (OX2 8PN, 01865 ,, 510930). There’s a popular pool and rope swing under the bridge. Or from Oxford train station at S end, turn R onto main road and after 300m drop down to Thames footpath on R. Follow for ¾ mile upstream. First footbridge leads to W bank (open meadow), next leads to E with path and access to The Perch inn (OX2 0NG, 01865 728891). 15 mins, 51.7698, -1.2881 aqTzb 13 APPLEFORD, R THAMES Open field and quiet beach behind a church, just a short walk from station. Follow footpath behind church (near ,, OX14 4NT) 200m, or continue on to Little Wittenham. Also Sutton Pools upstream (51.6466, -1.2739). 2 mins, 51.6411, -1.2327 b1 14 CLIFTON HAMPDEN, R THAMES A pretty bridge and pub, frequented by Jerome K. Jerome. Downstream for many miles there are sandy bays shelving to