Dog Walking in Oxfordshire #1 Shotover Country Park is somewhere I know particularly well
Updated: Oct 2
There are some places you return to time and time again without ever really tiring of them.
For me, Shotover Woods is one of those places.
I have been walking here for 40 or 50 years, and I still love coming back.
There is something wonderfully peaceful about the woodland, with its dappled light, birdsong and winding paths, while just beyond the trees are beautiful views across the Oxfordshire countryside.
Recently, I came back with Nellie, my Goldendoodle, to explore one of the shorter circular routes and remind myself just how much Shotover has to offer.
If you’re looking for a dog walk near Oxford, Shotover Country Park is well worth discovering.
A little bit of Shotover’s history
Shotover is much more than simply a beautiful place to walk.
According to the information board at the entrance, there is evidence of Roman activity here dating back to the fourth century, including pottery and Romano-British kilns. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, Shotover formed part of the Wychwood Royal Forest, where kings and nobility hunted deer and boar.
The woodland also played a part in the development of Oxford itself. Timber from Shotover was used in some of the city’s buildings, while the area’s iron-rich sands produced the yellow pigment known as Oxford ochre.
The open plain has an equally interesting history. Until 1789, the main route from Oxford to London crossed Shotover, although travellers had to contend with the threat of highwaymen.
Much later, during the Second World War, the area was used as a training ground for soldiers, with tanks manufactured at the Cowley factory being driven up the hill and tested on Tank Field.
Today, Shotover is managed by Oxford City Council and provides around 298 acres of open countryside, woodland and rare habitats.
What is Shotover like for dog walking?
In my experience, it’s excellent.
Dogs don’t generally need to be kept on a lead, and there is plenty of space for them to explore. I regularly let Nellie run here, although I am more cautious in the car park and keep her on a lead there because it can become quite busy with vehicles.
The park is popular, so you should expect to meet other dogs, as well as walkers, joggers and mountain bikers.
There are also bridleways through the woodland. Horses can occasionally be encountered, including in areas where you might not necessarily expect to meet one, so if your dog is nervous around horses, it’s worth keeping them on a lead.
For dogs that are nervous around other dogs, the open areas can be particularly helpful because you can see what is approaching from a considerable distance and give yourself plenty of space if needed.
The open field and views over Oxford
One of the first things you’ll see after leaving the car park is an open grassy area with several benches and wonderful far-reaching views across Oxfordshire.
The grass here is short, and there is plenty of space for dogs to have a run around or enjoy a game of fetch. The openness also means you have good visibility in every direction.
It’s not somewhere I would simply rush through on the way to the woodland. The benches make it a lovely place to stop, enjoy the view and perhaps have a few quiet moments.
I’ve sat here myself simply contemplating things, and I think that’s part of Shotover’s appeal. You can come here for a proper walk, but you can equally come for a little time outdoors without needing to turn it into an expedition.
Exploring the woodland
From the open area, paths lead into the woodland, where the atmosphere changes quite noticeably.
The native deciduous trees provide beautiful dappled light, particularly when the sun is filtering through the canopy. There is plenty of bracken and natural vegetation, and the woodland feels peaceful even though Shotover is so close to Oxford.
The route I recently walked follows the woodland edge, keeping to the furthest path on the left. There are several openings where you can return towards the open plain, and after around ten minutes you reach a crossroads where you can turn back towards the grassland.
The circular route took me just over 20 minutes at a reasonable pace.
The woodland paths are generally firm, although they have exposed roots and some uneven sections. They can become muddy after prolonged wet weather, although being relatively high up, this particular route is less prone to becoming boggy than some lower-lying walks.
There are a few gentle inclines, but I would consider the route manageable for most people. It isn’t particularly suitable for pushchairs or buggies because of the exposed roots and uneven ground.
The Sandpit
Another part of Shotover worth discovering is the area known locally as the Sandpit, reached by following the marked Sandpit Walk.
The sandy area has little streams running through it, and it’s a lovely place for children to explore. I’ve seen children playing in the sand, building sandcastles and making little dams across the small streams.
There is also an open grassy area nearby, making this a particularly appealing spot for a family picnic.
For families with children and dogs, the Sandpit adds another dimension to a visit to Shotover. It’s somewhere where the children can explore while everyone enjoys being outside together.
Which walks can you do?
There are three suggested routes shown on the information board at the main entrance:
Sandpit Walk — approximately 30 minutes
Northwood Trail — approximately 45 minutes
Boundary Patrol — approximately 90 minutes
There are also bridleways and permitted cycle tracks, and numerous other paths to explore if you prefer to make up your own route.
The route I took recently was considerably shorter than the three suggested walks and took just over 20 minutes. It makes a good option if you want a shorter outing rather than committing to a longer walk.
You can also simply enjoy the open grassy areas and views without undertaking a substantial walk at all.
Practical information for dog owners
Getting there: The car park what3words location is I’m sharing a what3words address
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Parking: The main car park is free and has space for roughly 50 vehicles. It can be busy, so I would recommend keeping your dog on a lead around the car park.
Dogs: Dogs can generally be exercised off lead, but owners should be aware of other dogs, cyclists, walkers and horses.
Dog waste: There are dog-waste bins at the entrance by the car park. I didn’t see bins throughout the wider park, so it is sensible to carry bags with you and take waste back to the entrance.
Water: There isn’t an obvious source of drinking water for dogs, so bring your own.
Toilets: There are no public toilets at the site.
Pushchairs and buggies: The open areas are easier to navigate, but the woodland paths have exposed roots and uneven ground and aren’t suitable for buggies.
Ground conditions: The paths were generally firm when I visited. They can become muddy following heavy rain.
Horses: Bridleways run through the woodland and horses may be encountered, so owners of dogs that are nervous around horses should take particular care.
Why I keep coming back
I’ve known Shotover for most of my life, and perhaps that’s why I find it difficult to reduce it to simply being a “dog walk”.
Yes, it is a fantastic place to walk a dog. But it’s also somewhere to wander through the woods, enjoy the views, have a picnic, watch children explore the Sandpit, sit quietly on a bench or simply spend some unhurried time outdoors.
I love walking Nellie here, and I love the fact that after 40 or 50 years I can still come back and enjoy it.
For me, that is what makes Shotover special.
It isn’t somewhere you need to rush through.
It’s somewhere to spend a little time.
If you're looking for a gentler walk nearby you could try our Brasenose Wood walk
Photography
Shotover is also a wonderful location for dog and horse photography, if you'd like to find out what I can offer please follow this link
You can also book a free discovery call with me here
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