This is an intermediate run with unpaved parts along the way. During the rainy season, some sections may be flooded. The route starts in Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park and takes you through Islip to the RSPB Otmoor to end at the Court Place Farm Nature Park.
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Route overview
Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park is the largest park in Oxford. Part of it was once a wasteland and Council tip, and during WWII, parts of it served as a vegetable patch. Today, it has semi-natural wildlife, a community woodland, and a variety of activities such as sports courts, mini golf, mini railway, a skate park, and more. The park is open all day, every day. See the activities and times available here.
Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park. Credit: Oxford Magazine
Exit the park on Harbord Road to reach Banbury Road and turn right. Banbury Road becomes Oxford Road. At the roundabout, keep right to follow Bicester Road.
Part 1 of the 23km Oxford Run Route Map
At the next roundabout, keep right. Follow the bend to the right of the road and follow its curve to reach Kidlington Road, which takes you into Islip. Follow Church Close, then right onto Blechingdon Road to find St. Nicholas’ Church on the right.
Part 2 of the 23km Oxford Run Route Map
Islip is known as the birthplace of Edward the Confessor or King Edward. An unusual nickname meant to depict his reputation as a saint who did not suffer martyrdom, unlike his uncle, King Edward the Martyr. There are differing opinions on whether or not he was a good ruler. Some feel his reign disintegrated royal power in England and allowed the advancement of the House of Godwin. However, biographers Frank Barlow and Peter Rex painted him as a successful, energetic, resourceful, and firm king, stating that the Norman conquest not long after his death is what tarnished his image. King Edward founded Westminster Abbey, then known as the Abbey of St. Peter at Westminster. The oldest part of St. Nicholas’ Church dates back to about 1200; however, most of what you see was part of a rebuilding in the 1300s and some restoration during the Victorian era.
St. Nicholas’ Church. Credit: St. Nicholas’ Church
Exit Islip on Middle Street. Follow its curve to the right, then when the road splits, keep left. At the next split, keep right onto High Street. Follow its curve to the left, away from the small village.
Part 3 of the 23km Oxford Run Route Map
At Charlton-on-Moor, turn right onto Otmoor Lane. Just after the bridge over New River Ray, turn left. When the road splits, turn right. Continue until you reach RSPB Otmoor on your right. Feel free to explore the Nature Reserve before you continue your run.
Part 4 of the 23km Oxford Run Route Map
Exit RSPB Otmoor, turning right back onto Otmoor Lane until you reach High Street. Turn right and find the Beckley Phone Box on your left. At the intersection with High Street, The SHippen Drive, New Inn Road, and Church Street, turn left onto New Inn Road, then right onto Common Road.
Part 5 of the 23km Oxford Run Route Map
The RSPB, or Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, was founded by Emily Williamson, who had a passion for protecting the birds, who, in the 1800s, were plucked of their feathers for fashion. This, of course, led to some species of birds going extinct. This became an all-women movement and proved successful, with their first accomplishment passing the Importation of Plumage Prohibition Act in 1921. The RSPB is now Europe’s largest nature conservation charity, with over 200 nature reserves managed across the UK. You will undoubtedly see some spectacular wildlife all year round, including the lapwing, redshank, Golden Plover and more. See their opening times here.
RSPB Otmoor Nature Reserve. Credit: The Oxford Magazine
You’ll see the Beckley Phone Box to your left. It is used as a little gallery to display local artworks. Stop and have a peek; you might discover a new favourite artist.
Beckley Phone Box. Credit: The K6 Project
At the end of Common Road, turn left, then curve slightly right onto Elsfield Road. When the road curves to the right, turn left onto the gravel road between the trees. After about 2.2km, turn left at the cellphone tower and right along the main gravel path.
Part 6 of the 23km Oxford Run Route Map
Turn left over the second bridge, then right onto Oldwell Road. At the end, turn right onto Barton Fields Road. Continue over the main intersection at the pedestrian crossings onto Foxwell Drive and turn right. Follow its curves onto Borrowmead Road. Turn right onto Maltfield Road to reach Court Place Farm Nature Park. To reach the start of the route, retrace your steps to the main pedestrian crossing and turn left to go along the Northern Bypass. Then, at the roundabout, turn right onto Banbury Road.
Part 7 of the 23km Oxford Run Route Map
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Resources:
If you enjoyed this route, see our Half-marathon run route.
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Download the GPX File for this route here.