As the cost of living escalates and we have less money to spend on social activities and gym membership, there is one thing that does not cost more than the price of a comfortable pair of outdoor shoes and that is finding interesting walks around our local area.
Oxfordshire as a county has some wonderful places to explore on foot and there are a number of interesting walks in Abingdon to get you outdoors. Whilst the weather may not always be conducive, fresh air and exercise can not only improve one’s mental health but also our physical stamina.
If you are not a walker but are keen to start getting active, you can find some suggested First Step Walks by visiting getoxfordshireactive.org/community-walks-vale. These walks take around 30 minutes at a slow/gentle pace with opportunities to stop if required. There are also longer walks up to 90 minutes which can be undertaken at either a gentle or more moderate pace.
If you get involved in the two Abingdon Community Walks, it will also provide you with the chance to meet people and potentially make new friends. There is one on a Monday starting at 10.30 am with a meeting point at the Bottom Gates of Abbey Gardens. There is another walk at 2pm on a Tuesday with the meeting point outside Long Furlong Community Centre, with a third on a Wednesday at 10.30am meeting inside the White Horse Leisure Centre.
Other suggested walking routes around Abingdon range from 1.75 miles to 9.75 miles with the routes found the Oxfordshire Walks app. For further information visit localwalks.co.uk/oxfordshire-walks
The walk through Rye Farm Meadow alongside the River Thames, crossing at Abingdon Lock into the Abbey Gardens is a great starting point. There is an alternative shorter route which takes you along a stretch of the River Thames through Rye Farm Meadow, looping back to the carpark through open countryside.
Another slightly longer walk of 2.3 miles is the circular trail near Abingdon that takes on average 46 minutes to complete. The trail is open throughout the year, and you can take your dog provided you keep it on a lead. Start at the Crown and Thistle coaching inn and follow a route which explores Abingdon’s rich heritage, passing churches, the old County Hall, Abbey Gardens and Meadows and the bustling River Thames. As this route is almost entirely flat, following a mixture of pavements, stone paths and a grass stretch of the Thames Path it is accessible, albeit a little muddy after rain and during winter. As the route will require you to cross the weir and local over the river, you will need to take care with children and dogs whilst doing so.
A visit to the Visitor and Community Centre at Roysse Court in Bridge Street is a great place to pop into as you will find various leaflets and booklets about walks in the area which can also provide valuable information on accessibility.
