Seven routes to get you into the Oxfordshire countryside

The following seven routes get you out of Oxford with the least hassle. Have an adventure by planning your own route once outside the city, or read future postings for specific journey suggestions. Taking Cornmarket Street as the central axis, these gateways out of town are arranged clockwise, with 12 o’clock being roughly at Summertown.

2 O’clock: Marston. Take either Marston road from St Clement’s or Marston Ferry Road from Summertown. Where these two meet, head North-west on Marsh Lane. Cross the ring road and take the first right. Continue straight to Elsfield (up a steep hill) or take the first left and continue to Woodeaton. The latter gets you to Islip and points further north or north-west; the former gets you to a choice between Beckley, Horton-cum-Studley, Stanton St John and a whole plethora of mostly quiet roads east of Oxford. Just plug “Elsfield” into www.multimap.com and set any course you like. Note that Woodeaton-Islip is a good route to get to points North of Kidlington -- just follow the B4027 through Islip and following the signs for Bletchingdon.

2:45: Barton. From East Oxford, take Morrell Avenue uphill, which turns into Warneford Lane. Continue past Gipsy Lane and the road becomes Old Road. Continue through the traffic light at Windmill Road and carry on till you hit Quarry Road. Left on Quarry Road (if you cross a bridge over the ring road you’ve gone too far). Continue on, do not take a right on Quarry Hollow. The road becomes Quarry High Street. Take a left on the access road of the ring road, and continue to the entrance for the Roundabout underpass. Take this underpass, then take the next underpass immediately to the left. You emerge on the road out of Barton. Take this downhill and proceed either straight Woodperry and beyond, or take the first right when the road goes uphill, to reach Stanton St. John and points beyond.

3 O’clock: Horspath. From Cowley Road, take a left on Marsh Road. Take another left onto the cycle path, just beyond the Fuller’s pub. Continue on path and at first junction, turn right. Cycle through turnstiles and emerge at bottom of steep hill on Barracks Lane. Go up this, and dog-leg slightly to the right at the intersection with Hollow Way, continuing East on Horspath Road. Continue on this until you get to the Ring Road, and use the pedestrian signal crossing to cross it. Cycle down Horspath Road past the BMW entrance and Stagecoach bus depot. There is an entrance to a cycle path there, which runs parallel to the Horspath road. Go on through Horspath village and under the railroad tracks. Take your first left up a big hill to get to Wheatley, or go straight beyond the railroad tracks and eventually climb a hill to Cuddesdon and points beyond.

4 O’clock: Cowley. Although it’s a B road, the B480 is a fine way to get out of town, especially if you’re in a hurry to reach points south-by-southeast, such as the Baldons or the Ridgeway. Just take Cowley right through town, under the ring road, and continue as it becomes B480. Follow the signs for turnoffs to the Baldons or just carry on to Charlgrove and Watlington to Christmas Common on the Ridgeway.

6 O’clock: Kennington. From the city centre, take Abingdon road south past the Donnington Bridge. Make a right at the sign for Kennington and Templeton College. Take this road over the railroad tracks, turning left as the descent reaches a trough. Cycle through Kennington and reach Abingdon and points beyond.

7 O’clock: Boars Hill. From the city centre, take Abingdon road south past the Donnington Bridge. Before the turn to Kennington, join the cycle path on your left. Continue on this as it descends below the roundabout, turn right beneath the roundabout and then immediately left. Ascend on the south side of the ring road, heading west. Continue on the pavements until you hit the roundabout with a signpost for Wooton. Follow the road to Wooton and Boars Hill. Continue to Sandleigh and points west of Oxford.

9 O’clock: Cumnor Hill. From the city centre, take Botley Road west out of town. Cross under the ring road overpass and continue up Cumnor Hill road, rather than taking the right turn to Eynsham. Climb the hill and veer right at the apex, following signs to Cumnor village and Appleton. Continue on the A road overpass and skirt around the Vines pub, continuing to Cumnor village. At the roundabout, go straight to reach Eynsham over a toll bridge (bikes cross free) or go left to reach Appleton and a long stretch of quiet, straight road all the way to Hinton Waldrist.

Scott Urban