Dog Walking in Oxfordshire #4 Sandford-on-Thames Circular Walk: A Peaceful Riverside Dog Walk Near Oxford
Updated: Oct 2
If you’re looking for an easy dog walk near Oxford with beautiful riverside scenery, open countryside and somewhere pleasant to stop for lunch afterwards, the circular walk from Sandford-on-Thames is well worth considering.
We started our walk at The King’s Arms at Sandford Lock, a riverside pub just a few miles from central Oxford. Despite being so close to the city, the walk quickly feels surprisingly rural, with the River Thames, open meadows, woodland and plenty of wildlife providing a peaceful escape.
It’s a particularly easy walk in terms of gradients. The route is very flat and undemanding, making it suitable for a wide range of fitness levels. However, some of the paths are uneven, with exposed tree roots and narrow sections, so the complete circular route isn’t suitable for buggies or pushchairs.
At a glance
Starting point: The King’s Arms, Sandford-on-ThamesParking: Free for customers. Vehicle registration needs to be entered at the pub.Walk time: Approximately 33 minutes at a moderate paceTerrain: Mostly flat, with tarmac, earth and hardcore pathsDogs: Excellent for dogs, although leads are advisable in several sectionsPushchairs: Not suitable for the whole route because of uneven ground and exposed rootsFacilities: Toilets, food, drinks and extensive outdoor seating at The King’s Arms
Starting at Sandford Lock
We parked at The King’s Arms and walked through towards Sandford Lock, where the walk begins beside the River Thames.
The river is particularly pretty here, with weeping willows hanging over the water, swans gliding past and small boats and barges adding to the scene. We crossed the river on a narrow footbridge, and almost immediately the character of the walk became apparent.
On the other side, there is a good tarmac path and a lovely area of grass beside the river which would be ideal for a picnic.
At this point we kept Nellie on her lead, as there were cyclists and the possibility of joggers and other walkers using the path.
It was beautifully peaceful. Ducks were paddling on the river and there was plenty of birdsong, with very little to suggest that Oxford was only a short distance away.
Along the River Thames
After crossing the river, we turned right through a kissing gate and followed the river with the water on our right.
The character of the path changes here. The smooth tarmac gives way to a relatively narrow earthen track, with some uneven ground and exposed tree roots. There are also quite a few low branches, something taller walkers may find slightly awkward in places.
For this reason, although the route is wonderfully easy in terms of gradient, this section isn’t suitable for buggies or pushchairs.
We were walking through lovely autumnal colours, with the trees beginning to take on their seasonal hues.
After about six minutes we reached a small wooden footbridge crossing a stream, beyond which the path opened out into a large grassy field.
There was no livestock in the field during our visit, although livestock can sometimes be present, so it’s worth checking the situation before allowing your dog off lead.
On this occasion we felt comfortable letting Nellie off, and she immediately made the most of the opportunity.
For dogs that enjoy running, sniffing and exploring, this is a wonderful section of the walk. The field is spacious and relatively level, making it an excellent place for a game of ball.
Open countryside and the Sandford weir
We continued across the open grassland, with plenty of visibility around us.
This is something we particularly liked about the walk as dog owners. Because the landscape is so open, you can generally see other walkers, dogs and cyclists approaching from some distance, giving you time to decide whether your dog needs to come back on the lead.
After around ten minutes, we could hear the sound of rushing water ahead of us and caught sight of the weir.
The sound of the water is surprisingly impressive and adds another dimension to the walk. The area is associated with Sandford’s hydro-electric power generation, adding an interesting modern element to this historic stretch of the Thames.
A little further on, after about eleven minutes, we crossed another small stream by wooden footbridge and entered another large open grassy area.
The walking here is extremely easy. There are no significant inclines and, although some of the surfaces are uneven, there is nothing particularly strenuous about the route.
A surprisingly rural walk so close to Oxford
One of the things we enjoyed most about this walk is how rural it feels.
Sandford-on-Thames is very close to Oxford, yet as you walk through the fields there are remarkably few buildings in view. Instead, you’re surrounded by open grassland, trees and the river.
It’s not quite as secluded as some of our favourite walks, such as Watlington Hill or Shotover Woods, and there is occasional distant traffic noise. However, it remains a calm and attractive place to spend time with a dog.
The river is generally close by, although bushes and vegetation sometimes obscure the view.
After about 17 minutes we reached another bridge across the Thames.
You could continue along the river without crossing, but we chose to cross the bridge and follow the circular route.
The prettiest stretch of the walk
This was probably our favourite section.
The River Thames widens out here, with beautiful weeping willows along the banks and canoeists and other water users enjoying the river.
Once across the bridge, we followed a firm, stony hardcore path with the river on both sides.
It feels as though you’re walking along a narrow central island, with water flowing on either side.
The path passes through deciduous woodland, creating an attractive canopy overhead, while reeds and bulrushes line sections of the river.
There are several places where the river is easily accessible from the path.
For dogs that enjoy swimming, this could be a particularly enjoyable section of the walk. If, like Nellie, your dog isn’t especially confident in the water, it’s less of a concern, but owners of enthusiastic swimmers may want to keep their dogs on a lead.
The hardcore surface is firm and easy to walk on, although we’d expect it to become muddier during particularly wet winter weather.
Back towards Sandford Lock
After about 30 minutes, we emerged once again into an open grassy area.
The river was now on our left, with a collection of barges and small boats making this another particularly attractive part of the walk.
There are sometimes horses in this area, so once again it’s worth being aware of livestock before deciding whether your dog can safely run free.
From here we made our way back towards Sandford Lock.
We passed the lock keeper’s cottage, which bears the date 1914, and returned to the firm tarmac path beside the lock.
There are benches here where you can sit and enjoy the view, while the neatly maintained borders add a splash of colour around the lock.
The final stretch beside the river is particularly pleasant, with the water, boats and lock providing a lovely end to the walk.
Back to The King’s Arms
We completed the circular walk in approximately 33 minutes at a moderate pace.
For us, this isn’t a walk that requires a high level of fitness. It’s remarkably flat and easy, so the main consideration is the condition of some of the paths rather than the physical difficulty.
If you’re looking for somewhere to exercise a dog, enjoy some fresh air and see a particularly attractive stretch of the Thames without undertaking a long or demanding hike, it works very well.
And there is an added bonus.
You finish exactly where you started, at The King’s Arms.
A dog-friendly pub beside the river
After our walk, we settled in the garden at The King’s Arms beneath a magnificent old horse chestnut tree.
The pub has extensive outdoor seating overlooking the river, and we were able to order directly from our table. It’s a particularly pleasant place to sit after a walk, with the boats and river providing an attractive backdrop.
The King’s Arms describes itself as dog-friendly and has a riverside beer garden, car park and facilities including disabled access. (Chef & Brewer)
The pub also confirms that it has food and drinks available throughout the day, making it a convenient place to combine a walk with lunch or simply a drink overlooking the Thames. (Chef & Brewer)
Parking is free for customers, although you need to register your vehicle at the pub. This is also confirmed by CAMRA’s listing for the pub. (CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale)
Our verdict
The Sandford-on-Thames circular walk is a very easy, flat and enjoyable dog walk close to Oxford, with enough variety to keep it interesting.
There is the historic lock, the River Thames, weeping willows, open meadows, woodland, streams, the weir and plenty of opportunities to see boats and wildlife.
For dog owners, there are also some excellent opportunities for a good run in the open fields, although livestock, other walkers, cyclists and the proximity of the river mean that sensible lead control is important.
The one significant limitation is accessibility for buggies and pushchairs. While the initial tarmac section is perfectly suitable, the complete circular route includes narrow, uneven paths and exposed tree roots.
For us, the combination of easy walking, beautiful riverside scenery, open countryside and a dog-friendly pub at the beginning and end makes this a very appealing little walk.
And perhaps the nicest thing about it is that you really could forget how close you are to Oxford.
Photography
Sandford Lock is also a wonderful location for dog photography, if you'd like to find out what I can offer please follow this link
Comments