Wittenham Clumps to Days lock, Oxfordshire

This is a lovely walk round the base of Wittenham Clumps where people don't often walk heading down towards Days Lock which is famous for Pooh Sticks and then back up to the top of the clumps.

Approx time: 1-2 hour

Paths:  grass and mud
Points of interest: wildlife, river
Amenities: car park at Wittenham Clumps
Grading: possible with all terrain buggy but hard work going up the hill
Weather: all seasons  (except after heavy rain)

map of the area, following the red line

Starting at the Wittenham Clumps car park take the small gate to the left before heading up the hill, currently its all very over grown looking.

the footpath from the car park

This footpath is quite flat and takes you around the base of the clumps, we spotted quite a lot of wildlife (or signs of) and also lots of blackberries ready to pick. After a short time the footpath will widen out.

clear open space

 You will eventually come to a gate and into a wooded area. This is where they hold the Earth Trust birthday parties so we came across a lot of dens almost the trees and we had a great time building some more dens and improving others.

checking out the dens

 At the end of the wood you will get to another gate and come out the other side of the hill. Turn left after the gate heading down the hill towards the church. At the Church turn right and you will cross a couple of bridges and days lock. This is where they play the famous game of pooh sticks every year, and we had a couple of goes ourselves.

days lock

When you are all pooh sticked out retrace your steps back to the base of the clumps, and if you are up for the walk head up the hill for wonderful views across Oxfordshire.

looking back towards Wittenham Clumps

 There is a bench right at the top to rest any weary legs.

view down towards days lock

 Circle round the top of the hill and then back down the other side to the car park.

Wittenham Clumps and Pooh Sticks at Days Lock both feature on the oxtrails app.
If you are ticking off your 50 things before 11 3/4 then den building, climbing a big hill, fly a kite, play pooh sicks, pick blackberries, eat an apple from a tree, make a trail with sticks, hunt for bugs, catch a falling leaf can all be done on this walk. I do not advise rolling down a big hill due to cows and sheep grazing!

OxTrails big launch in May

If you live in Oxfordshire and not heard of OxTrails yet why not as it sounds like such a great idea.

Imagine the scene where you wake up one morning, the sun is shining (I know this is England but its improving) and you think what can we do today. You don't want that same walk to the same pub you want something local but different. You go consult google and come up with x pages telling you what to do that day and feel like hiding under the duvet again. Then you click on your OxTrails app. Great there is a lovely walk 20mins drive away (or even bus or bike ride) you've not done before, there is a museum there and looks like a couple of tea rooms and local shops. We could make an afternoon of it or maybe a day.

Days Lock from Wittenham Clumps

Aside from the sun shine all the above is now possible thanks to OxTrails. The app is launching in May but you can already go check out their google map, pintrest, twitter or website for fab ideas that are on your doorstep.

Feeding sheep at Farmer Gows

You can even check out a theme for a real adventure, there is something to suit everyone with OxFood, OxLiterature, OxFilm, OxHistory and OxOutdoors.

My mother-in-law loves quaint little tea shops so she will of course love to check out OxFood. Those lovely little delli's that you have heard of but never quite found or unique shops like Added Ingredients in Abingdon. How about a nice pub lunch, maybe by the river.

Hubby loves his books so will be checking out OxLiterature for famous Oxfordshire author places like playing pooh sticks at Days Lock or Wind in the Willows at the River and Rowing Museum. Or bury yourself in some of the fantastic independent bookshops we have in the county.

Brother-in-law loves films and tv so I'm sure he will be going to check out OxFilm to follow in the footsteps of the famous Harry Potter or Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Ibstone. We all know of Morse, Lewis and Downton Abbey, now you can go follow in their footsteps.

Mum loves a bit of history and Oxfordshire is awash with historical places like Blenheim Palace, Wallingford Castle and Wayland Smithy and the White Horse. Along with museums such as Vale and Downland at Wantage or the wonderful Pendon Museum.

As a family we love a good walk so OxOutdoors is our favourite, we are often visiting Harcourt Arboretum and Wittenham Clumps. We've also been to Farmer Gows and a number of the BBOWT reserves. But up next is Jarn Mound or maybe a cruise or punt on the Thames.

Its amazing how many places I didn't realise were right on our doorstep.

Go take a look at the website http://www.oxtrails.co.uk/ sign up to the twitter feed for the theme that interests you the most (or all of them), go check them out on pinterest or youtube take a look at the google map and look out for the going ons near you in May for the launch.