A five mile run that follows Shakespeare’s Way, a long distance footpath from Stratford upon Avon to London, south from Woodstock on the out trip and then back on footpaths. The route through Bladon Heath wood was virtually impassable in the Winter months, but has recently been given a good surface of stone chippings above buried culverts.
Starting in Woodstock head down the footpath between Hedge End and Crecy Walk, past the Blenheim View housing development to the pedestrian crossing. Continue across the main A44 road through the field with the Cowyard offices on the right and the Palace Retreat Lodges on the left. On reaching the A4095 Witney road, continue straight on keeping to the right side of the road heading in to Bladon village. At the pedestrian crossing next to the White House pub, cross the road and go up the side street past the primary school. Turn right and go through the church yard. The tomb stones of the Spencer-Churchills including Winston Churchill can be seen on the left near Saint Martin’s church. Winston Churchill’s grave is not the original, but was replaced some years ago. Exit the church yard and continue along Church Street until Heath Lane is reached. Turn left and go to the end of the road, which becomes a gravel track, currently in excellent condition. Head through the wood on the track, which becomes a path on leaving the wood. After crossing a field, the path eventually runs next to the drive of a house. Turn right over a cattle grid and up the hill. The farm track bears around to the left and crosses another cattle grid. Soon after the footpath diverges from the track going off to the right crossing two fields, keeping away from the Spring Hill farm, but meets the track again at a gap in a wall. Here a number of footpaths meet and we leave Shakespeare’s Way, which heads off to the left. Turn right, going down hill on the farm track, following the wall until a gap is reached with a stile and ditch crossing. Turn right then follow the hedge until the other side of Bladon Heath wood is seen. There is a down hill bit across an open and sometimes muddy field to reach the edge of the wood, which is on the right. Follow the path along the side of the wood then left to cross a stile at Burleigh Lodge on the road from Bladon to Cassington. Turn right for 200m on the road then right at the next footpath and over a high stile. Across a field, over a stream, turn left and right around the edge of the field back to Bladon. At Manor Road, go straight on and retrace Church Street and Saint Martin’s church yard, back to the pedestrian crossing. Cross the road and this time head around the left side of the White House pub up Park Lane in to Blenheim Park. After the gate, turn right and head straight on passing the Cowyard offices at the rear, the palace car parks and exit Blenheim Park at the main road entrance to Woodstock.