Nettlebed Walks
This Oxfordshire village is surrounded by several large areas of woodland and some lovely Chilterns countryside. There's also a nearby nature reserve and a fine National Trust property within walking distance.
This circular walk uses a mixture of country lanes, bridleways, public footpaths and a section of the Oxfordshire Way to explore the area to the south of the village. On the way you'll visit Warburg Nature Reserve, the village of Middle Assendon, the historic Greys Court and Nettlebed Woods.
The walk starts from the village and follows trails north east to the Warburg Nature Reserve. There's some nice nature trails here with lots of bluebells and wood anemones in the spring moths. Also keep your eyes peeled for a variety of woodland birds.
At the eastern end of the reserve you can pick up the Oxfordshire Way and follow the waymarked footpath to Middle Assendon. There's a nice pub here if you'd like to make a pit stop on the walk. From the village you head south west past Bix Common and Lambridge Wood. You could take a small detour from the route to explore the woods. The large beechwood stretches from the northwest end of Henley towards the village of Bix. This walk continues south west to visit Greys Court. This National Trust owned property includes woodland trails, beautiful gardens, a turf maze, a photogenic Chinese Bridge and a 19th century ice house.
After exploring the estate the route heads north through Shepherd's Green to Nettlebed Woods. You can follow trails north through the woods to Castslip and Crocker End before returning to the village.
Nettlebed Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Nettlebed Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Nettlebed OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Nettlebed Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Back in the village head to The White Hart for some post walk refreshments. It's a historic pub of some note, dating all the way back to the 14th century. Inside there's cosy log fires, while outside there's a nice garden area for warmer days. You can find them on the High Street with a postcode of RG9 5DD for your sat navs.
On the walk the Rainbow Inn in Middle Assendon is a nice place to stop for a rest. The typical country pub particularly lovely gardens to relax in. You can find them in the village at postcode RG9 6AU.
Dog Walking
The woods are country trails are ideal for dog walking and the White Hart mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The village is located close to Henley-on-Thames where there are nice trails along the Thames Path National Trail. In the town you can also pick up the Henley via Stonor Circular Walk which also visits Greys Court and the scenic deer park at Stonor Park.
Another nice option is to head to the noteworthy village of Turville and visit the famous Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Windmill. You can follow the long distance Chiltern Way from the Warburg Nature Reserve north east to Turville and its near neighbour of Fingest.
Just south is the worthy village of Stoke Row where there are some interesting historical features. The village includes the distinctive Maharajah's Well, a pretty cherry orchard and a noteworthy 17th century pub reputed to be the former haunt of notorious highwayman Dick Turpin. Near here there's also Ipsden where you can explore the trails on Ipsden Heath and visit the 12th century Norman church.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Chilterns Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
High Street, Nettlebed
Path in Nettlebed Woods. Part of an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways in this area. This is at Oxlands Bottom looking north-east. Many of the paths are used by cyclists; this is a bridleway so can be used legally.
Visitor Centre at Warburg Nature Reserve. This is the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford Wildlife Trust visitor centre. During the summer months orchids can be found in all of the habitats, including fly orchid and bird's-nest orchid.
Middle Assendon. The village, which is largely modern, is mostly strung along the B480. In addition there is Mill Close, between the top and middle rows of houses.
One of the gardens at Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. On the right is the Great Tower.
Footpath through Tartary Wood just south of Nettlebed
The road through Lambridge Wood. These cyclists are heading towards Bix having just entered the grid-square.
The White Hart, High Street, Nettlebed. A fine place for a rest and a meal after your exercise. Seen from south-southwest. The village once had seven pubs or inns. Now only The White Hart is still trading.