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Faringdon Folly, Buckland Warren and Hatford

Oxfordshire Walk

County/Area - Oxfordshire

Author - Visit Southern Oxfordshire

Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km    Ascent - 500 feet / 152 metres

Time - 4 hours 30 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Faringdon Folly, Buckland Warren and Hatford
Click image to see photo description.

This walk starts from Faringdon. To reach the Folly Hill, either start from the Market Square and walk through the town, or go through Folly Park (entrance on Park Road, parking for cars) to Nursery View Estate. At the Stanford Road head for Folly Hill.

1 - At Folly Hill walk on the path through the trees, out to the other side of the Hill (Folly Tower on your left). Walk downhill into the next field. There is a white metal stile that you can walk around.

2 - The path then goes across the middle of a field to a wooden stile.

3 - Go over the stile and cross the A420 to another stile. Follow field edge, then go over a white metal stile. There are gates on either side. Notice the tree lined stream to the right. Take a path across the field, and go over a stile. Wadley Manor is on the left and Oxpen Farm on right. Cross the track, go through a field to a metal stile. After the stile, bear right on the track (no signs). Notice a small lake over to the right. You can look back at this point for a good view of the Folly.

4 - When the path reaches a junction, bear left along the side of the field. The track continues through large open fields and on past Tagdown Barn and a cottage called Hideaway, both on the right. When the road is reached turn left for a short distance then take the bridleway (signed) on the right. The bridleway leads to a thick hedge (which marks the boundary between Hatford and Buckland parishes). Through a gap in the hedge, continue on through a golf course, the way being marked by metal railings.

5 - Follow the path through the woodland for about half a mile (1km) until a junction is reached (note the 'All dogs on lead' sign). There is an open field in one quadrant, the other three are woodland). Turn right here. (The path straight ahead goes to Pusey - approx 1mile. The path to the left goes through Home Farm and up to the A420 - approx 3/4 mile). Later go through a yew grove.

6 - The path emerges into fields again. Follow the path across the field towards the road. At the road (opposite house called Woodlands) turn left and go into Hatford. On the main road, turn right (west) towards Shellingford. If you wish to shorten the walk, turn right opposite Woodlands and walk on the road (Sandy Lane) until you reach the cottage called Hideaway. Then retrace your steps to the Folly.

7 - Just over the bridge, climb the stile on the right and follow Frogmore Brook, keeping it on your right. About 165 yards (150m) further on, go right (yellow arrows mark the route) over the stream. The path follows the bank on the left, and continues through 3 gates. Climb a stile to reach a track to a quarry. Cross this track, keeping the stream to your left. Look out for a plank bridge over the stream and go into the woodland. The path follows the left hand woodland edge initially and then travels to the right, where it emerges from the wood. There are several fallen trees in the woods and the path is not very distinct. Keep persevering through the woods and you will eventually emerge through a well-defined exit. This woodland path passes Tagdown plantation.

8 - Follow the field edge, past Chinham Copse where soon it becomes a wide grassy track with a hedge on the left.

9 - Follow the track until it reaches a junction and bear left to return to Faringdon Folly and the centre of Faringdon.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1069 Badbury Hill, including the Great Barn at Great Coxwelleasy6.0 miles
Walk 3630 Longcot & Uffington Circulareasy5.2 miles
Walk 1062 Pusey & Buckland circulareasy3.5 miles
Walk 1554 Wayland's Smithy & Uffington Castleeasy/mod5.5 miles
Walk 2915 Uffington Castle, the White Horse and Wayland's Smithyeasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 3116 Uffington White Horse & Wayland's Smithyeasy3.3 miles
Walk 2410 Wayland's Smithy, Ashdown House and Ashburyeasy/mod7.5 miles
Walk 1419 The Lambourn Downs from near Astburymoderate14.0 miles
Walk 1873 The Ridgeway from Ardingtoneasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 1439 Fulbrook & Widfordeasy6.0 miles

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