D'Arcy Dalton Way

Charlbury makes an excellent starting point or stopping place, offering genuine access to what makes this area distinctive on foot. The walk takes you through changing landscapes—rolling farmland giving way to ancient woodlands, with quiet stretches alongside the River Evenlode where you've got a decent chance of spotting local wildlife.

Charlbury itself is worth exploring beyond just a pit stop. It's a proper market town with genuine character, built from local stone and centred around a notable church that tells you something about the area's long history of trade and settlement. What makes walking the D'Arcy Dalton Way special is how it connects these communities, so you're literally following routes people have used for generations to move between farms and villages. It gives you a real understanding of how the landscape and settlements fit together.

Getting there is straightforward—Charlbury has a train station, which means you can access the walk easily from larger cities and dip in and out as suits you. After your walk, you're well positioned to explore further afield. Chipping Norton and Burford are both a short drive away if you want to continue discovering the region. Wear proper walking shoes and take a map along; this is a substantial walk, not a stroll.