Cycling type
Road
Distance
19 miles / 30.58 km
Duration
4 to 5 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Shape
Circular
Route description
A chance to visit both Chastleton House, the Rollright Stones and drop in on Chipping Norton. Great views from Kingham Hill and Chastleton Camp – but that means a few climbs!
Highlights
Kingham was voted ‘England’s Favourite Village’ in 2004 by Country Life magazine.
Churchill has a church tower visible for miles, a two-thirds copy of Magdalen College tower in Oxford.
The Rollright Stones is an ancient site consisting of three main elements, the Kings Men stone circle, the King Stone, and the Whispering Knights. Numerous myths and legends surround the stones including the claim that it is impossible to count the stones and get the same result three times.
Chipping Norton
The highest town in Oxfordshire and once an important centre of the wool trade. Chipping Norton was given a charter by King John in 1205 to hold a wool fair. This later became a Mop Fair, a tradition still maintained as a funfair. St Mary’s Church reflects the prosperity of the town’s wool merchants living here in the 15th century. There are some attractive almshouses in Church Street. A curious local feature just south west of the town is the Bliss’s Valley Tweed Mill, built in 1872 with an Italianate chimney!
Start
Address
OS Grid Ref
SP2564422741
What3Words
Refreshments
Pub in Churchill, Pub and shops in Kingham
Navigation
1. Turn left from station, after 1/4 mile turn left signed Kingham, follow the signs to Cornwell. After 3 miles straight over X roads, signed Chastleton, then in 1/2 mile cross A436, signed Chastleton.
2. After passing Chastleton House, turn right, signed Little Compton, turn left WITH CARE onto A44, then turn right WITH CARE, signed Little Compton.
3. In 2 1/4 miles turn left at T-junction, signed Rollright Stones.
4. Turn right then left to cross A3400, signed Great Rollright, turn right, signed Great Rollright. Turn right at X roads, signed Over Norton, cross A3400 onto B4026, signed Over Norton. Continue through Over Norton to Chipping Norton.
5. In Chipping Norton turn right at mini-roundabouts, signed Evesham. Then turn left, appears straight on, signed Burford. Then turn right at mini-roundabout signed Churchill. In Churchill follow road through village, then along Junction Road to Kingham Station.