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Bodicote Circular Walk

3.4 miles (5.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This short circular walk explores the countryside around the Oxfordshire village of Bodicote near Banbury. The trail runs for just over 3 miles on waymarked footpaths, visiting several of the local highlights. You'll pass near to some of the village's historic buildings including the restored 19th century windmill, the 13th century church and the Georgian Bodicote House which is now the main office for Cherwell District Council.
The walk starts on the High Street in the village centre. From here you head north before turning west along the Salt Way. Country trails then lead south past Wykham Farm and Bodicote Lake to Upper Grove Mill. Here you cross the Sorbrook before turning east towards Bloxham Grove, the Bodicote Post Mill and Lower Grove Mill Reservoir. You then turn north along the Austin Road to return to the village.

Bodicote Circular Walk OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Bodicote Circular Walk Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

There's a couple of nice village pubs and an Indian restaurant back in Bodicote. The Plough serves good food and has a lovely garden area for summer days. It's set in an historic 18th century coaching inn which is also Grade II listed.
The Horse and Jockey is just around the corner on Malthouse Lane. They have a large garden and serve particularly tasty pizzas. You can find them on the High Street at postcode OX15 4BZ for your sat navs. There's also the Spice Room Indian restaurant, which used to be the Baker's Arms pub. It was built in 1702.

Dog Walking

The country trails make for a nice dog walk and the two village pubs mentioned above are also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the east of the village you can pick up the Oxford Canal Walk and enjoy an easy stroll along the canal towpath. The Adderbury Circular Walk, the Kings Sutton Walk and Bloxham Walk also pass close to the village.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Oxfordshire Walks page.

Photos

Horse and Jockey, Bodicote - geograph.org.uk - 168476

Horse and Jockey, Bodicote. One of few pubs still sporting a Courage sign (just!) although has not served a genuine pint of Courage Directors for many a year.

The Plough Inn, Bodicote - geograph.org.uk - 168474

The Plough Inn, Bodicote. Former home of the Bodicote Brewery; sadly missed. Now under the Wadworth's flag having been a free house with the Blencoe family for nearly 50 years.

St John the Baptist Parish Church, Bodicote - geograph.org.uk - 112721

Church of England parish church of St John the Baptist, Bodicote, Oxfordshire. View north up the High Street; the pub is the Plough. The junction with East Street is to the right by the red brick house. The noteworthy church includes a chancel arch from the 1200s and an iron-framed turret clock that was made by John Wise of London in 1700.

Bloxham Grove post mill - geograph.org.uk - 451294

Post mill at Bloxham Grove, Oxfordshire in a field of beans. The mill is thought to have been built in 1842 by Henry Warriner who was a director of the London engineering firm of Maudsley Son and Field. The Windmill has since been restored to its former glory and is now looked after by “Friends of Bodicote Windmill”. 

Lower Grove Mill and Reservoir. - geograph.org.uk - 451620

Lower Grove Mill and Reservoir. This was photographed on a fine and sunny 1st June 2007.

Bridleway down to Lower Grove Mill - geograph.org.uk - 451284

Bridleway down to Lower Grove Mill

Bridge at Lower Grove Mill - geograph.org.uk - 451268

Bridge at Lower Grove Mill. The bridleway goes over this bridge and then onward to Bloxham Grove.

Wykham Park Farm - geograph.org.uk - 150838

 Wykham Park Farm. The farm, which produces beef, asparagus, potatoes and other vegetables is a member of the Thames Valley Farmers' Market Co-operative.

GPS Files

GPX File

Bodicote Circular Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Bodicote Circular Walk.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)