Oxford United’s proposal to build a new stadium near Kidlington could lead to extensive development around Stratfield Brake.
The club wants to relocate from the Kassam Stadium at Grenoble Road, Oxford, to land at Stratfield Brake.
The plans are at an early stage and have not yet been approved, so now could be a good time to take a stroll around the area, close to where the stadium might be built.
Last year keen local rambler Wendy Thomas devised a walk around Stratfield Brake, an 18.3-hectare (45.3-acre) site close to the southern edge of the village of Kidlington and just three miles north of Oxford.
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Here is a reminder of Ms Thomas’s circular walk close to woods looked after by the Woodland Trust and the local sports ground.
The Oxford Canal forms its western boundary and a footbridge links with the canal towpath.
Ms Thomas said at the time: “Stratfield Brake, Kidlington, provides walkers with the choice of a short circular walk (a mile/mile and a half) which could be combined with the weekly shop.
“It could also be used for a longer, linear walk, reaching it from the canal towpath approaching from either direction and entering the reserve via the little wooden bridge over the canal roughly half way between Duke’s Lock and Kidlington Green Lock.
“As a linear walk, the length would be up to you and you could take a bus from near Sainsbury’s, Kidlington, to return to your start point.”
For the short, circular walk, park in the little car park immediately on your left as you turn into the entrance for the sports’ grounds at Stratfield Brake off the A4260.
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Ms Thomas added: “From the car park, take the path that runs parallel to the A42060 initially and choose the left branch when it divides.
“To see the bridge over the canal, continue as far as you can, following the path as it curves to the right then, retracing your steps from the footbridge, walk back until you see a wide path coming in on your left, take this and walk until you see the lake on your left and a welcoming seat on your right.”
Walkers should then return to the car park either by retracing their steps a little way, then taking a path on their left running parallel to the one you used earlier or continue on past the lake and follow the path until you reach a hedge where you must turn right to skirt the field.
As walkers reach the top of this path, and before the exit for walkers onto the pavement opposite Sainsbury’s, they will see a path on their right that takes them back to the car park.
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For further information about organised walks visit ramblers.org.uk/oxfordshire.
Booking is usually required to join walks. You can also join Oxford Fieldpaths Society, one of the country’s oldest walking groups.
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