SWC 292: Islip Circular (in reverse) t=swc.292
Distance: 10.8 miles or 17.4 km for those more
metrically minded with shorter options available – see walk instructions
Difficulty: 3
out of 10
Train: Take the 9:42
AM Oxford-bound Chilterns Railway train from London Marylebone, arriving at Islip at 10:56. Return
trains are at 16:51; 16:57 (change at Oxford); 18:51 and 18:57 (change at
Oxford). Buy a day return to Islip.
In addition to gently rolling landscapes and
picturesque villages, one of the real highlights of this walk is the Otmoor
Nature Reserve, a favorite haunt for various birds of different sizes and
shapes. In fact, the main reason for doing the walk in reverse is to have some
time towards the end of the walk to explore the reserve without feeling the
need to rush on to lunch. So bring your binoculars and a flask (hip or thermos)
and enjoy the action…..before the final stretch back Islip (which takes about 45
minutes)—but do watch the clock, as the trains back to London are not super
frequent…..
You can find more information about the walk and
download the walk instructions here.
As we will be going in reverse, a print-out of the map or download of the GPX
will be helpful.
The recommended lunch pub on the main walk is the Abingdon Arms
in Beckley (01865 655667) a popular community-based pub,
serving excellent food.
Back in Islip, tea and other bevies can be had at
the Red Lion on the High Street.
Enjoy the walk!
2 comments:
Gosh, where to begin...what an amazing day...shared with a select group of n=4 walkers, a perfect number for the booking at the fabulous Abingdon Arms. I had not mentioned the starlings at Otmoor in my walk post, as their website made no mention of them and two previous posts of this walk in the winter had been unsuccessful in spotting them -- so figured they had moved on to greener pastures....However, when we arrived at the reserve (after our delicious lunch), things felt different this year -- starling-shaped signage was up pointing you to view points! We spent some time at the main hide watching lapwings; then moved to the outer hide (and designated view point) which was pretty quite and we settled in to wait warmed with a wee dram....Eventually, time came to consider leaving for the 16:50 train...one departed and the other three continued to weigh the options....ultimately, forgoing the 16:50 train and going on a short stroll around the marsh to warm up....noticing a growing number of people....then, as if from nowhere, the first group of starlings arrived (about 4.20 PM -- just before sunset) swirling in the sky forming a set of lips ahead of us....more and more came fast and furious, sections of the sky becoming dark with their density...as they flew overhead you could hear the sound of 10s of thousands of flapping wings.....astonishing...we noted they were all heading near where our onward route leaves the reserve, so we headed over there to continue the walk at the same time watching more and more groups of birds arriving and swirling over the marsh....back on the track -- there they were settling into the trees almost right along the track....a great cacophony of activity and chirping as they nestled in and then took off in great swarms to resettle on another tree creating great swooshing sounds as they look flight...mesmerizing to watch...eventually we pulled ourselves away and carried on along the walk watching the last few groups settling in as we left the reserve (about 16:50). It is about 2 miles back to Islip from the reserve -- one mile in growing darkness and one in the dark...it is a pretty simple route -- so no major problems (just one slight wrong turn -- quickly corrected).....Back in Islip at 17:45, the pub had technically closed -- but as we inquired about buying a take away bottle of wine to enjoy at the station....the situation evolved to allow us one drink inside before heading to the station with our provisions -- so, in the end, we only had to wait about 30 minutes on the platform -- armed with a bottle of Malbec and a few rounds of "I spy" the time passed quickly....Although the starlings were by far the standout highlight of the day (well worth the wait and missed train), the morning was not without interest as we came across some mighty fine snowdrop and aconite showings in one of the villages...a first of the year for most of us.....a very memorable and amazing day under w=cloudy-skies.
If anyone is interested, I have put a video of the starlings on the SWC group Facebook page and on @SWC_Nature on Twitter
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