Thame Circular Walk

20.9 km (13.0 mi), with 115m ascent/descent. For a shorter or a longer walk, see below Walk Options.

2 out of 10, with 4 1/2 hours walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 7 hours.

This is a scenic and easy ramble north of The Chilterns through the Thame Valley on the Oxfordshire - Buckinghamshire border that involves a short bus ride (on a frequent service) at the start and the finish of the walk. Set off in a westerly direction from the charming market town of Thame through a Nature Reserve and soon pass through a beautifully laid out golf course to join the Oxfordshire Way through the ancient Rycote Estate, then head north through a few quiet villages to lunch in Worminghall or Ickford.
After lunch continue easterly through pastures-with-views, largely following the waymarked Thame Valley Walk, to the numerous tea options in Thame and the return bus journey to Haddenham & Thame Parkway.

A shortcut cuts out the outlying villages and pubs to descend to the Thame River – partly along a dismantled railway line – and follows the river to a lunch pub in Shabbington.
An extension through the pretty villages of Tiddington and Waterstock leads through some more gently rolling, quiet countryside.
An alternative ending follows the Thame for a stretch and picks a different route through the golf course on the way back to Thame.

A Shortcut omits the recommended lunch time destinations, leading to lunch in Shabbington (cut 5.7 km).
An in-walk shortcut cuts the outlying recommended lunch pub in Worminghall (cut 2.0 km).
An Extension is possible in the morning by adding a diversion through Tiddington and Waterstock (adds 3.6 km).
Bus Line 280 (the line you take from Haddenham Station to Thame), continues westbound along the A418, stopping at Tiddington, The Fox; which is close to both the Main Walk route and the Extension.
A longer Alternative Ending, from Shabbington to Thame, replaces the sequence of pastures at the end with a more varied route, first along the Thame then back through the golf course of the outbound route, along some different paths though. This adds 2.8 km.

OS Explorer: 180 (Oxford)
OS Landranger: 165 (Aylesbury & Leighton Buzzard)

Thame Town Hall Bus Stop, map reference SP 705 059, is 14 km south west of Aylesbury, 20 km east of Oxford, in the county of Oxfordshire, and 71m above sea level. It is a 9-minute bus ride from Haddenham & Thame Parkway station’s forecourt, on line 280 (direction Oxford), with a bus running every 20 minutes (2021 return fare: £4.10) and a couple of other, more infrequent lines (return tickets are not mutually accepted). Haddenham & Thame Parkway station is on the London Marylebone to Oxford main line. Journey times are from 34 minutes, with at least two trains per hour. The exit from the platform is near the rear of the train.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 9.00 hours (later for the short walk).

The Fox and Goat Oxford Road, Tiddington, Oxfordshire, OX9 2LH (01844 339 808). The Fox & Goat is located 400m off-route 8.9 km (5.5 mi) into the extended walk.
The Clifden Arms 75 Clifden Road, Worminghall Buckinghamshire, HP18 9JR (01844 338 429). The Clifden Arms is located 11.9 km (7.4 mi) into the full walk.
The Rising Sun 36 Worminghall Road, Ickford Buckinghamshire, HP18 9JD (01844 339 238). The Rising Sun is located 13.3 km (8.3 mi) into the full walk, or 11.3 km if taking the in-walk shortcut.
The Old Fisherman Mill Road, Shabbington, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9HJ (01844 201 247). The Old Fisherman is located 9.5 km (5.9 mi) into the walk if taking the Shortcut.

Plenty of options in Thame, both pubs and cafés. The ones on the route are mentioned in the text, as well as where to find other options.
Of the cafés, recommended is:
Rumsey’s Chocolaterie 8 Upper High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3ER (01844 260 303). Open Mon-Sat 9.00-17.30, Sun 09.30-17.00.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Nov-21 Thomas G