Thame Inner Circuit
Route map for Thame Inner Circuit by Ruth Cornish on plotaroute.com
Download the GPX file for this route from Plotaroute
The Thame Inner Circuit is a 4 mile walking route, making use of existing paths, pavements, tracks and trails. There are many alternatives to the particular route detailed here and the choice of any preferred route is down to the individual. The route is described in a clockwise direction but could, of course, be done in the opposite direction.
The intention is that for anybody living in Thame, some part of the route will be close by, so that the whole circuit can be enjoyed from anywhere in town. Of course, shorter walks can be carried out by simply taking in just part of the Circuit. Many of the paths are close to houses – please respect the privacy of the occupants. Walkers are also asked to leave things as they find them, to take litter home, and to clean up after their dogs. The Circuit crosses both major and minor roads so please cross these with great care and use pelican crossings if available.
There is no specific starting point but this guide starts at St. Mary’s Church.
If you would like to do the walk on either a dark evening or rainy day, an alternative version is available that avoids paths that are not lit, or are prone to mud in wet weather. This can be found at the link below
Point 1
At the rear of the church in Priest End, and with your back to it, turn right to follow a path between the churchyard on the right and a wall on the left. Follow this past a cricket ground on the right and houses on the left to reach a main road (Aylesbury Road). Cross the road safely here and turn left (using the pelican crossing to the right if needed). Shortly after the end of a long wall turn right onto a path alongside house number 44. After a short distance the path becomes paved. Continue on the path passing above a road on the right (Brookside).
Point 2
After passing some green railings bear left up a slope, and cross the next road (Roundhead Drive). Continue ahead, passing a play area on the right. Follow the path as it winds through the play areas (do not bear left towards the road), continuing down towards a barrier. Leave the park here to enter a cul-de-sac (Harrison Place). Walk to the end and turn left into the next road (Roundhead Drive) to then reach a T-junction and a post box. Turn right here (Cromwell Avenue) for only a few yards before turning left to cross the road and join a path between house numbers 33 and 35.
Point 3
At a T-junction turn right into a road (Berkeley Road) to go past Cavalier Road and soon turn left onto a path alongside house number “Four”. Bear left past a grass square, across the top of a road until you reach a T-junction in the path and turn left. Bear immediately right past a grass square signposted ‘Cavalier Road’, continuing straight along this path, crossing over another road (Ormond Road – not signed) and past another grass square signed Hamilton Road. A little further on reach a humped green where you will find a tree stump at the summit where a large solitary tree once stood. Take the path along the left edge of this green (i.e. with the tree stump on the right), bearing right to follow the footpath at a Sedgemoor Drive sign.
Point 4
Go straight ahead at a crossing of paths to finally reach Cromwell Avenue again. Cross the road and take the path diagonally right across a green to reach a path alongside house number 34. Keep straight ahead for some distance to eventually pass a green and play area (Churchill Play area) on the right and arrive at a main road (Kingsey Road). Turn right along the pavement to pass Burnards Court and Churchill Crescent. When the tarmac pavement comes to an end, cross the road to go through an obvious path for a few yards to cross a road (Seven Acres) and take another short path almost directly opposite to arrive at another road (Queens Road).
Point 5
Cross the road to enter Towersey Road. Go past the school and Towersey Drive and soon arrive at a path on the right by a red dog litter bin. Follow this path and take the second path on the left to find a road (Pickenfield). Bear left to follow Pickenfield to a major road (Eastern by-pass). Turn right on the footpath for about 200 yards to arrive at a tarmacked track on the right (Phoenix Trail) by a traffic crossing.
Point 6
Turn right onto the Phoenix Trail and follow it for a considerable distance, passing under a bridge, alongside the derelict station platform, under a further bridge, over Windmill Road and Moreton Lane. Continue on the Phoenix Trail for about ¼ mile, ignoring side paths, until reaching a large Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve information panel.
Point 7
Turn right here, down steps, to follow a clear track straight ahead (which can be muddy!). At a fork in the track, bear right with the Cuttle Brook on the right to reach a large wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and go straight ahead to immediately cross a smaller bridge and continue ahead with the brook now on the left. At a fork bear left and continue to a crossing of paths alongside a wooden litter bin. Turn left here and very soon reach a T-junction.
Point 8
Turn left over a bridge and go up a very gentle rise to reach a crossing of paths. Turn right here to follow a track, with a fence on the left and a hedge on the right. The track soon leads to a busy road (Oxford Road). For safety reasons, cross the road here whilst able to see traffic from both directions. Turn right on the opposite pavement. When the main road turns sharply right go straight ahead into Priest End. Continue along Priest End until reaching the starting point by the church.
This walk has been created on behalf of Thame Green Living as an approachable route to encourage walking around the town as recommended in the Thame Green Living Plan adopted by Thame Town Council to promote a cleaner, greener, healthier Thame. With thanks to Len Davidson, Steve Brandish, Ruth Cornish (Thame & Wheatley Ramblers) and the Lea Park Residents’ Association for helping create this walk, supported by Charles Boundy of Thame Green Living.