Exploring Abingdon on Two Wheels: A Scenic Cycling Guide
With stunning views along the River Thames, lush countryside and charming greenery, Abingdon is a historic market town in Oxfordshire that provides plenty of cycle routes for all ages and abilities. Rolling countryside, canal paths and bridleways are perfect for exploring on two wheels and the best bit? No major hills!
Choose to cycle by the home of Lewis Carroll, tranquil Oxford Canal, head to Blenheim Palace or if you want to do more miles and slightly more adventurous – cycle to Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds and stop for an Instagram shot! With plenty of pubs to stop for a spot of lunch, afternoon tea in a quaint coffee shop or end up in the city for a cocktail, there really is something for everyone.
Why Cycle in Abingdon?
With its rich history, and beautiful landscapes, Abingdon is more than just a charming market town—it’s a cyclist’s haven.
Scenic Routes
Abingdon is surrounded by stunning countryside, offering cyclists a chance to explore a variety of curated bike trails and cycling routes. Whether you’re cruising along the peaceful riverside paths of the Thames or pedalling through green fields, the natural beauty of the area makes every ride a visual treat. Cycling in Abingdon offers more than physical exercise—it’s also a journey through time. With a rich history, Oxfordshire is excellent to explore on two wheels!
A Cycling-Friendly Community
The town’s layout and infrastructure make it highly accessible for cyclists. With well-maintained roads, dedicated cycle paths, and numerous quiet lanes, navigating Abingdon on two wheels is both easy and enjoyable. Abingdon has a growing reputation as a cycling-friendly town, supported by local initiatives aimed at promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transport. The town’s proximity to Oxford and other nearby villages also means that cyclists can easily extend their rides to explore more of Oxfordshire’s beautiful landscapes.
Sustainability and Health Benefits
Cycling is not only a great way to stay fit and healthy, but it’s also an environmentally friendly alternative to driving. Abingdon’s commitment to promoting cycling aligns with broader sustainability goals, reducing carbon emissions and contributing to cleaner air in the town. By choosing to cycle, you’re not just benefiting your health—you’re also playing a part in protecting the environment.
An Opportunity to Explore More
Abingdon serves as a fantastic base for exploring more of Oxfordshire by bike. From the town, you can easily cycle to nearby attractions such as Radley Lakes, the charming village of Dorchester-on-Thames, or even venture into the bustling city of Oxford. Each route offers a unique perspective of the region, from tranquil countryside vistas to historic sites, making Abingdon a perfect starting point for broader cycling adventures. There are plenty of welcoming hotels in Abingdon to begin your exploration from.
Scenic Bike Trails near Abingdon
A very popular walking and cycling trail, the Thames Pathway covers 215 miles from the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in London, following historic villages and towns that were built along the river bank. This route takes multiple days, even weeks. Milton Hill House is an excellent stopover in Abingdon on your route along the Thames Path. The majority of the Thames Path is walking only, however, you cycle on the following sections:
- Godstow Bridge to Oxford Ring Road A4142: 5 miles
- Reading Bridge to Sonning: 2.5 miles
- Staines Railway Bridge to Laleham: 2.4 Miles
- Shepperton Ferry to Teddington Lock: 11 Miles
- Hampton Court Station to Weybridge Lawn: 6 miles
Family Friendly Cycling Routes
The Phoenix Trail runs from Thame to Princes Risborough. It is shared by walkers, dogs, horse riders and cyclists so care and attention must be given but it’s flat and an excellent route for families. In total it’s a 5 mile route, there’s no cafes en route so we recommend a picnic.
Historical and Cultural Cycling Routes
The Hanson Way
The Hanson Way is part of Sustrans National Route 5 which links with the Oxford cycleways. Taking you along the River Thames, it takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to cycle from Oxford to Didcot, through Abingdon. You’ll finish near Didcot Railway Station where you can get a train back to Oxford or explore Didcot Railway Centre for history on the Great Western Railway.
Three quarters of the route from Oxford to Abingdon is traffic-free which means it can be great for cycling with kids.
Checkout Proof Social Bakehouse Cafe for a snack on National Route 5.
Blenheim Palace
If you continue along National Route 5, past Oxford, you can cycle to Blenheim Palace. Taking in the scenery along the Oxford Canal you’ll follow the Oxford Canal towpath for the majority of the journey once leaving Oxford. The return journey offers a short detour to Bladon village for those who want to visit the place where Churchill is buried after exploring the Churchill exhibition at Blenheim Palace.
There’s even a community cycle path that takes in part of Blenheim Palace estate to explore. For more information on the community cycle path and arriving here by bike.
Oxford to Blenheim Palace on National Route 5
Make sure you stop at The Medley, a seasonal outdoor bar when on the Oxford Canal towpath! There’s plenty of cafes for a bite to eat in Woodstock close to Blenheim Palace.
Helpful Links and Resources
Sustrans – connecting communities through a National Cycle Network
Cycling around Abingdon with Komoot
More To Abingdon
Things To Do in Oxfordshire
Abingdon is a great location for those looking to explore what Oxfordshire has to offer.
The gentle flow of the Thames meanders through the town, offering serene views and peaceful spots for relaxation. With local green spaces such as those provided by the Earth Trust Centre ideal for panoramic views of Southern England or leisurely strolls, to Oxford’s historic city centre, and quaint villages between, there’s plenty of things to do in the local area.
Cycling To Raise Money for ParalymicsGB
As part of the Levy 1000 we raised over £50,000 for ParalymicsGB. Katie, Director of Sales for The Venues Collection, took part in the leg from Milton Hill House to Cheltenham Racecourse, cycling with her colleague Kevin Zengeni.
Total journey of 82.5K, elevation gain of 655M with average speeds of 23k per hour.
Katie said the cycling routes and bike paths were fantastic,
“The first couple of hours went by pretty quickly, both of us admiring the beautiful scenery, chatting and with relatively flat terrain racking up quite a few miles before eventually meeting our support crew at a pub (too early to be open) however parked our bikes in the garden, had a snack and a drink and carried on… little did we know that was the last we would see of our support crew and in their words “because we were too fast and couldn’t keep up! So headed to the racecourse to meet you!” Again quite a reflection of the terrain being steady and no great hills… (Famous last words!)
The ride continued, stunning scenery across into Gloucestershire, although we did find hills started to appear. For those that don’t know Cheltenham, it’s kind of in a bowl therefore there is a large hill to get to the top of Cheltenham before you drop down and if you take a wrong turn you end up in a pasture which as it turned out is called “Cleeve Hill” (which is fine if you have a mountain bike but not so good with a road bike). We popped off and headed through the pastures on foot, up to Cleeve Hill. At the top the views were worth it – stunning views of Cheltenham and the Racecourse, Vale of Evesham, Malvern’s and Black Mountains in Wales. I found out afterwards it’s also the highest point of the Cotswolds at 330m!”
Visiting Abingdon
Milton Hill House is an excellent base point with so much to see and do in Abingdon. With free parking, safe bike storage, comfortable bedrooms, and delicious food and drink to power your adventures, there’s plenty on offer here.
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