Four New Walking Trails At Wittenham Clumps

Some links on posts are affiliate links and will earn us a commission from qualifying purchases

Earth Trust has launched four free, waymarked walking trails at Wittenham Clumps in Oxfordshire, offering routes from 1.5km to 5.7km. The trails cater for different abilities and interests, from short, family-friendly countryside walks to longer explorations of woodland, farmland, historic landmarks and panoramic Thames Valley views. The routes are available throughout the year, with free maps provided at the Visitor Centre.

Launch of four new walking trails

Earth Trust, the charity responsible for caring for the South Oxfordshire landscape, has introduced four new waymarked walking routes at Wittenham Clumps. The trails were launched in time for the October 2026 half-term holidays.

Distances range from 1.5km (0.9 miles) to 5.7km (3.5 miles) and all four routes are free to use and will remain accessible throughout the year.

The initiative aims to encourage more people to explore the countryside, including families, casual walkers and those looking for longer walks. Free printed route maps are available from the Visitor Centre’s pop-up café, and a downloadable walking leaflet is also available.

Details of the four walking routes

The four trails offer different experiences, landscapes and levels of physical challenge.

Trail	Distance	Approximate time	Highlights
Farm Nature Trail	1.5km / 0.9 miles	30 minutes	Flat circular route through pasture, orchards, wildflower meadows and farmland.
Clumps Heritage Trail	1.5km / 0.9 miles	40 minutes	Steep climb to Round Hill, Thames Valley views and Iron Age hillfort ramparts at Castle Hill.
College Farm Trail	2.8km / 1.7 miles	50 minutes	Circular walk through woodland, meadows and farmland, starting at Neptune Wood car park.
Landscape Discovery Trail	5.7km / 3.5 miles	1 hour 45 minutes	Longer circular route through grassland, woodland and nature-friendly farmland.

Choosing the right trail

• Farm Nature Trail: Best suited to families with younger children and people looking for a relatively easy introduction to the countryside. Its mostly flat terrain makes it the gentlest option.
• Clumps Heritage Trail: A short but more physically demanding walk, featuring a steep ascent to Round Hill. It rewards walkers with impressive views across the Thames Valley and opportunities to explore historic hillfort remains.
• College Farm Trail: A good intermediate option for walkers wanting to explore more of the surrounding countryside, including woodland and meadows.
• Landscape Discovery Trail: The longest option, offering a more substantial countryside walk and a varied mix of habitats and landscapes.

Walking times and terrain

• The two shortest trails are both 1.5km but offer very different experiences.
• The Farm Nature Trail is mostly flat, whereas the Clumps Heritage Trail involves a steep climb.
• The estimated walking times are approximately 30–40 minutes for the shortest routes.
• Walkers should allow additional time for photographs, refreshments, wildlife watching and enjoying the scenery.
• The longer routes provide opportunities to explore more of the Earth Trust landscape.

Earth Trust’s reasons for introducing the trails

Earth Trust chief executive Ian Barrett explained that Wittenham Clumps is already a popular destination that attracts returning visitors. The new routes are intended to give people fresh ways to experience the landscape.

The trails cater for families, people seeking a short outdoor break and walkers looking for a longer countryside outing. The project also encourages visitors to understand the relationship between food production, farming and wildlife habitats.

Visitor Centre and planned improvements

A pop-up café, open from 09:00 – 15:00, is operating at the Visitor Centre. Visitors can purchase drinks and refreshments and collect free walking maps. Earth Trust is developing plans for a permanent café, expected to open in early 2027.

Further planned improvements include:

• A new access track.
• An adventure playscape for children.
• Continued improvements to the visitor experience and surrounding landscape.

Funding and environmental support

The Farm Nature Trail, new waymarking and habitat improvements have received external funding and support. Supporting organisations include:

• North Wessex Downs National Landscape through its Access for All programme.
• Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment.
• South Oxfordshire District Council through its Community Infrastructure Levy Fund.

The project combines improved countryside access with environmental and habitat improvements.

Practical information for visitors

• Location: Wittenham Clumps and the surrounding Earth Trust landscape, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire.
• Visitor Centre postcode: OX14 4QZ.
• Parking: Free parking is available.
• Facilities: Toilets, baby-changing facilities and refreshments are available.
• Maps: Free printed maps are available from the pop-up café.
• The College Farm Trail starts separately at Neptune Wood car park, so visitors should check the route map before setting off.
• Suitable footwear is recommended because paths may be muddy or uneven.
• Dogs should be kept on leads at the Clumps, particularly because cattle may be grazing.
• Although the Farm Nature Trail is described as mostly flat, this does not automatically mean it is suitable for every wheelchair or pushchair.
• Visitors requiring specific accessibility information about gradients, surfaces or facilities should contact Earth Trust before travelling.

Useful links and further information

• Earth Trust visitor information: https://earthtrust.org.uk/visit/
• Walking leaflet: https://earthtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ET-WALKS-LEAFLET-SCREEN-USE.pdf
• Telephone: 01865 407792.

Wider significance for Oxfordshire walking

The new routes strengthen Wittenham Clumps as a destination for accessible countryside recreation. The combination of short family walks, heritage features and longer countryside routes makes the area suitable for a broad range of visitors.

The project demonstrates how walking trails can help visitors appreciate local history, farming, biodiversity and landscape conservation. The planned café and visitor improvements suggest that Earth Trust intends to develop the area further as a countryside destination.