How to walk from Newbridge to Oxford: Thames Path Day 4

I set off early today. I had a train to catch. The walk from Newbridge to Oxford would round off this stage of walking. The remote stage of the Thames Path. My hiking boots had been on the radiator overnight and despite how soaked they got yesterday, they were nice and dry. It was a good start.

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What to expect on the walk from Newbridge to Oxford

The walk from Newbridge to Oxford is fairly similar to yesterday, but still unique. What’s been interesting about the past 4 days of walking is that everyday has been different. The landscape slowly changing as you walk along.

Looking across the river to the green on the other side on the walk from Newbridge to Oxford. There is an upside down boat resting on the green by the water, and a tree with red leaves next to it. There are lots of green leafy trees on the other side of the green.

So, first off, the river runs through a lot of flat big fields (like yesterday). For most of the walk you just follow the river….

Looking along the river running straight ahead on the left, and the green field on the right. There are lots of trees on the left side of the river.

However, there is one big section where you leave the river and walk through what feels like endless fields. There was a lot of sheep. It made me realise I hadn’t seen sheep until now. Just cows.

Looking across the large green grass field with tufts of orange grass.

A few sheep resting under a tree on the grass field, with the river behind on the walk from Newbridge to Oxford.

In the later half of the walk between Newbridge and Oxford, there are a lot of boats and barges moored to the side.

Looking across the tall grass with yellow buttercups, and the tops of colourful barges just visible ahead, when walking from Newbridge to Oxford.

Looking over the tall grass with white flowers to the river, with barges moored on the other side on the walk between Newbridge and Oxford

Looking across the calm river, to 3 colourful barges moored to the other side, on the walk to Oxford from Newbridge. The field on the other side of the river is filled with yellow buttercups.

The big change for me though, was the last few miles. There was a vibe. Maybe it was that there were more boats. Maybe it was the sound of the road, or a slight shift in the landscape. But it felt like something was coming to an end. The end of the remote section of the Thames Path. I felt a little sad. Everything would be different after today.

Logistics for the walk from Newbridge to Oxford

Start: Newbridge, Oxfordshire.
Finish: Oxford, Oxfordshire.

Distance: 14 miles
Time: 5h
Difficulty: Easy

Terrain: Grass, dirt trail, road, mud.
Dog friendly: Yes. But there are a lot of sheep about.
Amenities: A couple of pubs in Newbridge. Anything you might need in Oxford. En route, there is the Ferry Inn 4 miles in. Public toilets at Eynsham Lock 8 miles in.

Time of year: I walked from Newbridge to Oxford in early may.
Public transport: Nothing in Newbridge. A train station in Oxford with direct trains to London Paddington (just over an hour), or London Marylebone (1h30min).

Read yesterdays walk: Lechlade to Newbridge

Accommodation

In Newbridge there is one option. The Rose Revived. It’s a pub accommodation bed and breakfast style. Not pet friendly. If you have come with a pet, you could stop 6 miles back at the Trout at Tadpole Bridge. It looks fancy. Or go more basic and stay at the Barefoot Campsite which is a little past Newbridge.

In Oxford there are tonnes to choose from. As I live in London, I went home (which was cheaper than staying the night here). They do have cheap options though. If you don’t mind sharing, you could stay at the Central Backpackers Youth Hostel. It’s also pet friendly. There really is a tonne of stuff to choose from, so if you want something more private, you can have a look at what’s available here. No local campsites.

Map for the walk from Newbridge to Oxford

Route Description: Walk from Newbridge to Oxford

Setting off early, the sun was shining, my feet were dry…but not for long. What do you get when you go hiking early in the English countryside? Dew. Lots of long grass and dew.

A green field with a few wooden picnic benches and big trees at the start of the walk from Newbridge to Oxford. The river is on the other side. The benches are under the tree shadow and light is shining down ahead.

The path continues straight outside the Rose Revived where I was staying. I love this, just walking out the front door and getting straight into the hike. I don’t get that living in London.

It’s easy to start. Flat large fields, with a trail running alongside the river (river to your right).

The river on the left, and green grass on the right. The river is lined with green leafy trees and bushes, and white cherry blossoms.

A large green grass field with a group of brown cows ahead.

I passed a group of cows which I think were bulls….I kept close to the river.

There is a stile coming up, which is confusing. Down go over it. I think that is private land. Follow the path around the hedge instead. It’s then a dirt trail through trees to reach the next lot of fields.

A dirt trail leading straight through the grass, with a wooden fence to the left, tall trees with overhanging branches ahead on the right, and the river on the bright side of the green.

A wide dirt path lined with green leafy bushes and trees. The path is under darkness of the tree cover, with a few rays of light shining through. There is light at the end of the path past the trees.

Lots of fields

Now it’s just lots of fields as you continue following the river, with a section of enviable houses on the other side, all the way to reach the first lock of today. Northmoor Lock.

A large green grass field on a misty day, with trees on the other side.

A grass field on the left and the river on the right. There are trees on the other side of the river.

A few ducks and chics swimming in the river on the walk from Newbridge to Oxford. There a white cherry blossom tree branches hanging in the frame on the right. There is tall green grass in the frame at the bottom.

A curved wooden bridge over the river, with tall messy green grass on this side, and masses of trees on the other side. — Stay on this side of the bridge

The river curving ahead on the right., and the green grass field on the left on the walk from Newbridge to Oxford. It's a misty day. There is a barge moored to the side ahead.

Looking across the river the a neatly cut grass field on the other side and a large red brick walled manor house. There is a green leafy tree partially blocking the view of the house.

The river with a view to a lock budding ahead on the right, and a very tall green leafy tree in the middle of the river. — This is looking back after passing the lock

After the lock it’s more fields and lots of sheep, to reach an interesting signpost.

A large grass field, with a thin dirt trail running through it, and the river to the river. There are lots of sheep ahead.

A curve on the river, with the green grass bank on the left. There are lots of leafy trees lining the river ahead.

A few sheep grazing in the green grass field. The other side of the field is lined with trees.

A wooden trial signpost on the green, with the river to the river. There is a big leafy tree behind the sign.

The signpost points you to nothing. Well, it points you across the boggy field to the bush at the end. Ignore that. Just continue to the pub.

A large green grass field with a large yellow orange patch ahead. There is a line of green leafy trees on the other side of the field. — This is where the sign tells you to walk

The other thing about this sign is there are flood lines. One of the lines is way up high. I couldn’t tell if that was real or a joke. Could the river really get that high?

A Thames Path signpost with flood mark lines.

Follow the road

When you reach the end and the Ferryman Inn, turn left and follow the road. Keep going straight onto the main road, and someway further along there will be a trail sign on the right into a field.

The Ferryman inn pub with green door and cream wall. There are bushes going up the wall.

A gravel road leading ahead to the car park, and yellow acorn and yellow arrow trail sign on the post on the railing on the left.

The road leading to the corner of the main road. The other side of the main road is lined with a green hedge and the rooftop of a bark poking out from the other side. — Stay straight here

A road leading straight ahead, lined with strips of grass and green leafy bushes and trees on the walk from Newbridge to Oxford. There is a blue tractor parked on the left side. — The right turn into the field is around here

Walk through all the fields

Keep going straight through field after field. I started to wonder if I would ever see the river again. Maybe it just felt like forever because it was so hot today.

A large green grass field with big green leafy trees on the left.

A large grass field with wooden fence and metal gate running through the middle. There are trees lining the left side.

When you reach the road, turn right, and walk all the way to the end.

A wooden trail signpost nestled in the green leafy bushes. — Turn right here

A long straight road path, lined with strips of green grass and hedges on both sides.

At the end, go through the gate and turn left into a field.

A large grass field with sheep grazing, and a tall hedge running along the left side. — This is after you turn left into a field

Keep going through more fields, gates, and fields, and you will eventually get back alongside the river (river to your right).

A dirt trail leading g through the middle of a large grass field with a few sheep grazing.

An open gate leading to a large green grass field.

A track heading straight through the green grass field, with the river just visible to the right.

Some more fields and gates later, you will go over a lock bridge to reach Pinkhill Lock.

The river on the right and green grass edge of field on the left. There is a white cherry blossom tree on the side of the green next to the river.

A metal gate with wooden trail sign and masses of bushes and tall grass on the other side.

A walking bridge lined with metal railings leading straight towards masses of green leafy trees on the other side.

A white thames path sign on a metal gate, with clack writing and an arrow pointing right.

A barge moored to the side of the calm river with reflections, on the walk from Newbridge to Oxford. On the right side is grass, bushes and big green leafy trees. There is a hanging raft ring in white and red saying 'Pinkhill Lock'.

Go through the gate on the right, then turn left. River now on your left.

Keep going, past some boat shed ruins, through some trees, and a mud alley, to reach the road.

The river leading ahead on the left, and strip of grass with trail next to it on the right, partway through the walk between Newbridge and Oxford. The river is lined with bushes and trees ahead.

The ruins of a wooden boat shed partially visible through the messy tree branches, when waling from Newbridge to Oxford.

A narrow dirt trail through the alley, with tall fence on the right and bushes and trees on the left.

A wooden trail sign post pointing left and back, surround by green trees and bushes. — Turn left here

The halfway point in the walk between Newbridge and Oxford

Turn left onto the road, and keep going past the house with clogs, then turn left onto the boat yard. Somewhere around here is also the halfway point in the walk between Newbridge and Oxford.

The right on the right leading ahead, and side road on the left. There are big information boards on the left side read, and green grass and bushes on the corner between the two roads. — Turn left here

Go through the boat yard, and through a little gate on the right next to the river. Follow the path through the bushes and trees to reach the open fields.

A big red rusty boat on the right side of the wide path.

Looking towards a wooden gate with gravel path leading to it, and the river on the left.

A dirt path leading through the trees to a field on the other side.

A grass path leading through a field with tall grass and yellow buttercups.

The buttercup fields

Now, this may be time of year dependant, but the next lot of fields are buttercup land. The whole thing felt super pretty, being surrounded by carpets of buttercups, with barges moored to the side of the river. There were a few people about on their boats. What a wonderful place to wake up.

Looking across the river to a blue barge moored to the right side and a field filled with yellow buttercups behind, partway through the walk from Newbridge to Oxford.

Past the fields, the trail becomes bit muddy, then takes you past a bridge to reach the lock. Eynsham Lock. This one has toilets.

A white boat half sunken on it's side in the river, on the Newbridge to Oxford walk. — Poor boat

Looking along the river with tall watercress, and a stone double archway bridge ahead. There are lots of green leafy trees on the other side of the river and surrounding the bridge.

A path on the left and neatly cut green on the right, with planted flowers. There is a wooden hut just visible on the left side of the path.

Where the vibe changes

Past the lock, the trail is a little rugged and maybe muddy for a bit, before reaching the next lot of fields.

A thin dirt trail through the messy green grass leading ahead towards masses of bushes and trees. The river is on the left.

A dirt trial leading through the green leafy bushes and trees with overhanging branches.

Looking over the tall grass to the river and reflections from the trees on the other side.

These fields have a wire type fencing keeping you on the edge. It felt very constricting. And a bit bland. I feel like this might be the first time there is wire keeping you in. Not that I would want to walk into the field, but unlike everything else so far, this place had rules. This is it. This is where the whole vibe changed.

The river leading ahead on the left, and tall grass and trail on the right.

Especially further ahead where the path was blocked off and the detour had me walking through mud and deep puddles, with wire and fencing preventing me from walking around it. There was no avoiding deep foot submersion.

A metal fence with blue sign saying 'footpath diversion' and white arrow pointing right.

The waterlogged patch of grass with big metal fence on the left.

Once back along the river, things prettied up again, but the shift was still there. There was the constant hum of road. Occasional police sirens. I hadn’t heard road noise for the past 4 days.

Looking over the tall grass and white flowers to the river, and some boast moored to the side further ahead on the left.

The trail leading through and open wooden gate, and a white acorn trail sign on the wooden gate post.

I was also in quite a bit of pain by this point. The socks I was wearing were too thick. My feet were squished. Squished and wet. I was done with the walk now. But I still had a bit to go,

Walk into Oxford

After the next lock, there is a proper path.

A wide path leading ahead, with small hedges on the right and pink cherry blossom tree on the left.

A long straight wide path leading ahead, lined with green grass. — This is looking back along the path

The river really winds here, but you can just stick to the path to avoid all the curves. It was a lose lose situation for me. The path was hard and made my feet hurt more. But curving with the river meant walking more steps. I chose the pain of the path. It was also very hot and exposed. I wasn’t wearing sunscreen. I would see the results of this later.

When you reach the A road bridge, walk under it.

A dirt path leading towards a bridge over the river.

Looking across the water tow white coloured boats moored to the other side with their reflections in the water. There are white cherry blossom trees on the other side.

The path becomes a little rugged and maybe muddy again to reach a cute bridge. Walk up it and cross the road to the other side.

A dirt path winding ahead, with trees and bushes on the right and rive Ron the left. There are lots of green leafy trees on the other side of the river.

Looking along the road lined with stone walls and part of a pub visible on the other side. There are big green leafy trees on the other side of both stone walls, and over hanging.

That path will now lead you past some ruins (Godstow Abbey), and probably other people. Civilisation really starts to pick up.

A path on the right and abbey ruins on the green on the left. — This is looking back

The river then runs through large sparse neatly cut grass fields, and then bushes and trees. Sometimes it’s grass, sometimes it’s path. Lots of runners about. Maybe this is the place to come for nature if you live in Oxford.

Looking over a few logs on the side of the bank to the calm river. There is a large flat green grass field on the other side of the river.

Looking straight across the river two one black horse and three white hoses on the green grass on the other side, near the end of the walk between Newbridge and Oxford.

A rugged wide dirt path leading ahead, lined with grass on both sides, and bushes on the left side.

When you reach the bridge, cross over, then stay on this path (as in, don’t cross the next bridge).

Looking along the river with ripples, towards a red metal brush. There are green leafy tree branches hanging over the bridge and river.

It all really pretties up along here. The way I expected Oxford to be.

The river leading straight ahead, with a path on the right and barges and boats moored to the left side of the river on the walk into Oxford from Newbridge. — This is looking back. The river will be on your right as you walk into Oxford.

Looking across the river with a metal bridge on the left side.

A path leading straight lined with tall grass and Ivey covered tree trunks.

Walk to Oxford Station

To reach Oxford train station, turn left at these houses (photo below).

Looking over the bushes to a bridge on the left, river on the right and a row of houses on the left side past the bridge.

A path leading straight on the left with metal railings, and the river on the right. There is a bridge ahead. There are leafy tree branches hanging in the frame from the top.

Follow the path under an impossible low bridge, I almost had to crouch, then take a right on the road. At this point you should start seeing train station signs. Follow these. It’s not far. Just a few minutes to get there.

Red bricked houses in a residential area, with a pole and train station sign with a blue arrow pointing right.

I was very happy to see an M&S at the station. M&S food always makes me happy. So I picked up some food and got on the train. Feet throbbing. One arm looking a little pink.

It was once I got home I really saw it. My whole right arm, right up to my t-shirt sleeve line, was very burnt. Just my right arm though. It’s too bad the river didn’t change direction.

Read next: Oxford to Abingdon Day 5 coming soon