The d’Arcy Dalton Way is a long distance walk named after Col.
W.P. d’Arcy Dalton, a notable defender of Oxfordshire’s rights
of way and the first chairman of CPRE Oxfordshire’s Rights
of Way Group. The 66 mile walk follows the western boundary of
Oxfordshire, running north of Banbury to south of Abingdon and leads you through some of the remotest and most
beautiful countryside in Oxfordshire including the Redland Hills,
Cotswolds, Thames Valley, Vale of the White Horse and the Wessex Downs.
The
route is described in a north to south direction as the Wessex Downs,
which are capped by the Ridgeway and Wayland's Smithy, first come into
view some 30 miles short of your destination and thus provide a focal
point for the second half of the Way. The backdrop which they provide
creates more interesting views when crossing the flatter parts of the
Thames Valley than if you were travelling north.
The guide
describes the route in short stages, each with a detailed sketch map and
an overview of places visited and of the features of the section. Where
possible the stages end at locations where accommodation and public
transport links are available.
OS Explorer and Landranger map sheet
numbers are given for each section and there is a detailed mileage table
for planning purposes. The guide also includes eight circular walks
along the route for those who wish to sample the Way on day walks,
perhaps before attempting the full route.
Settlements passed
along the route include:
- Farnborough
- Shotteswell Green
- Hornton Green
- Epwell
- Burdrop
- Hook Norton
- Little Rollright
- Sarsdon Cross
- Snow
Hill
- Tangley
- Great Barrington
- Filkins
- Little Clanfield
- Eaton
Hastings
- Longcot
- Knighton
- Compton Beauchamp.
The 8 circular walk locations:
- Claydon - 5.6 miles
- Horley - 5.3 miles
- Hook Norton - 7.7 miles
- Salford (Oxon) - 4 miles
- Ascott-under-Wychwood - 8.5 miles
- Langford - 13.4 miles
- Little Coxwell - 8.1 miles
- White Horse Hill - 7 miles
