Oxford Canal at Lower Heyford – Lower Heyford Village loop from Steeple Aston

Hiking trails & Routes

Oxford Canal at Lower Heyford – Lower Heyford Village loop from Steeple Aston

Moderate

5.0

(3)

hikers

Oxford Canal at Lower Heyford – Lower Heyford Village loop from Steeple Aston

02:12

8.34km

70m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 2, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

3.59 km

Heyford Station Canal Moorings

Highlight • Structure

Mooring for barges next to the station

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3.62 km

Heyford Train Station

Highlight • Parking

Free parking is provided at Heyford Train Station for rail users only. However there are several, marked parking bays outside the boundary fence on what I took to be a public road. These too are free of charge. I got there at about 5.30pm and was able to find a space.

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3.64 km

Oxford Canal at Lower Heyford

Highlight • River

A lovely, peaceful stretch of the Oxford Canal running parallel with the River Cherwell.

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3.80 km

Lower Heyford Village

Highlight • Cafe

Nestled in the Cherwell Valley with both the river, the Oxford Canal and the railway passing by, Lower Heyford is an easily accessible yet delightful little village. Expect lush pastures and pleasant walking in the surrounding countryside, whilst the village itself has a shop, a cafe and a superb gastropub pub, the Bell Inn.

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4.24 km

Butterbur

Highlight • Natural

When I saw this plant I thought 'I wonder if that's rhubarb'. So I looked it up on my plant identifier app. It turned out that it's called Butter Bur as well as the less flattering Pestilence Wort and Bog Rhubarb. I prefer Butter Bur, so called because in days of old the leaves were used to wrap butter to keep it fresh for longer.

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5.81 km

Upper Heyford village and carved tree trunk

Highlight • Settlement

A mile north of Lower Heyford is its twin village Upper Heyford. Its location in the Cherwell Valley gives it excellent access to the verdant Oxfordshire countryside. There are plenty of local trails to explore. The Barley Mow pub is a good lunch option.

The nearby RAF base was decommissioned in 1993 and many of its buildings are now listed as scheduled monuments. The site is popular with local urban explorers.

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6.51 km