Swinford Bridge – Godstow Abbey Ruins loop from Wytham Woods

Hiking trails & Routes

Swinford Bridge – Godstow Abbey Ruins loop from Wytham Woods

Moderate

hikers

Swinford Bridge – Godstow Abbey Ruins loop from Wytham Woods

03:01

11.4km

110m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 7.48 km for 3.83 km

Permit required

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

178 m

Entrance to the Thame Path

Highlight • Trail

Entrance to path next to toll bridge

Tip by

222 m

Swinford Bridge

Highlight • Historical Site

Swinford Toll Bridge is built of local limestone and was opened in 1769. It is one of only two remaining toll bridges that cross the Thames upstream of London.

Tip by

458 m

One of the newer locks on the River Thames, Eynsham Lock was built in 1928. Like Pinkhill a little upriver, there's an island here which hosts a campsite. While the lock may be young, the nearby village of Eynsham is incredibly old – perhaps one of the oldest in the country and dates back to before 571AD when it was mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Tip by

4.61 km

Kings Lock

Highlight • River

6.06 km

The Trout Inn, Godstow

Highlight • Pub

The Trout Inn at Godstow is no ordinary pub. It's a stunning building in an exceptional location, right on the banks of the Thames outside Oxford. But it's not just today's locals and visitors who love it. The pub is mentioned in 'Brideshead Revisited' by Evelyn Waugh, was a film location for Inspector Morse and, most recently, is heavily feature in Phillip Pullman's book 'La Belle Sauvage', part one of a trilogy preceding 'His Dark Materials' or, The Northern Lights Trilogy.

It's worth noting that there are two other pubs with the same name not far away and both on the Thames. So be careful that you're looking at the right pub if you go searching online for menus.

Tip by

6.18 km