Several public rights of way (including the Thames path) and 'permissive paths' run through the Radley Lakes area, and connect it to Abingdon and Radley. These are shown on the map below. The land around Thrupp Lake is open to the public, as is the Barton Fields Nature Reserve.
Other areas, although crossed by informal paths, are private land with no right of public access. We plan that other permissive paths will be opened in future, in line with the Radley Lakes Masterplan. We will keep the map updated.
Wherever you walk, please follow the Countryside Code. In particular, do not leave litter, and avoid disturbance to wildlife. Dogs off leads can disturb wildlife, including ground-nesting birds. Please keep your dog on a lead, and clean up and remove any mess they may make.
You can now walk from Radley village to the heart of the Lakes on a new permissive path which has been kindly agreed by the two landowners.
Starting at the village end the path goes south alongside farmland followed by a track close to the rail mainline.
It then turns west, crossing the railway under what is locally known as the ‘Sounding Bridge’.
After that it follows the disused branch line to Abingdon, passing between former gravel pits that have now been restored to nature conservation.
It finishes by joining the Sustrans cycle track close to Thrupp Lake.
The route is about 1.25 miles long. The vegetation has been cut back by volunteers and it is reasonably good underfoot. It is signed with fingerposts and waymarkers: they all have a blue and orange ‘RLT’ disc on them. There are interpretation boards near the start and soon after the Sounding Bridge. These tell you about the route and what you can see.
Enjoy the path but do respect it. Please don’t cycle or ride a horse. Do take any litter home with you and do keep dogs on leads.
If you have feedback or encounter problems let us know at info@radleylakestrust.org
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