Rolling Oxfordshire Countryside and a Wetlands Nature Reserve
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 Chilterns rail train from London Marylebone, arriving Islip 10:57. Return trains are at 16:51, 16:58; 18:51, 18:58, 20:51 and 20:58. Buy a day return to Islip.
This is a second attempt at posting this walk after a line closure made the transportation a bit suspect. Also, the water levels in the area have dropped reducing the risk of flooded paths...but nonetheless an extra pair of socks may be handy!
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....The last two years we have been treated to great spectacles of wheeling starlings coming in to roost at dusk....but you must be patient and wait until sunset for the action.
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 (a booking for 5 at 1pm has been made).
Back in Islip, tea and other bevies can be had at the Red Lion on the High Street. Fortunately, the Red Lion looks to be open in the evening…..
Enjoy the walk and the birds!
2 comments:
Kudos to the n=4 intrepid souls who braved the dire forecast with hopes to witness the amazing spectacle of murmuratting starlings in w=initially-mild-dry-and-breezy-conditions-turning-wet later. The morning route was very pleasant with even some hazy sunshine...The ground was damp but not flooded as last year -- so hopes were high that the paths would all be passable! The snow drops early on the walk seemed a bit timid and were only just coming out in somewhat less numbers than years past. Lunch at the Abingdon Arms was fabulous as usual and after a relaxed sojourn there we headed down the hill towards the nature reserve wondering whether the starlings would perform in windy conditions. We visited the main hide where bird numbers seemed lower than usual == no lapwings...but another group said they had spotted a Marsh Harrier. Just before sunset, we headed towards the recommended starling view point and not long after they came -- in small groups first, then larger ones -- swirling and diving into a clump of trees....more and more arrived, making for a good display -- though not as long and complex as years past -- the wind and rain did seem to keep them a bit lower to the ground and subdue the performance. Nonetheless, a real treat and well worth the effort even with the poor forecast. The rain had started around dusk -- persistent, but not too heavy and accompanied us back to Islip where we found the Red Lion looking forlornly totally closed (not just for the day) -- as an alternative we settled into the rather nice porch of the church and enjoyed the various contents of our respective flasks....before catching the 18:51 back to London. A fun day out, complete with dry feet!
I agree with all the previous comment (except maybe the intensity of the rain, which was pretty savage for a while) but really wanted to add kudos to Chiltern Railways and in particular the driver of the 18.51 from Islip. It can’t be easy driving a train in the dark constantly watching to be sure a tree, section of fencing or child’s trampoline is not on the track. But despite a 50mph speed limit which extended the journey by only a little bit, she (it was a she) got us to Marylebone in comfort and ease. The railways at their best!
For me the scariest part of the day was walking to my house from the tube station: trees swaying in crazy ways, a nagging worry about roof tiles dislodging and flying through the air, wheely bins gamboling down the road……
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