The city of dreaming spires lies in a blissful landscape complete with meandering rivers, historic manor houses and patchwork fields. There’s so many beautiful views and sites in the city’s surroundings that you’d need a long-distance hiking trail specifically to make the most of it. Luckily, there is such a thing: the Oxford Green Belt Way.

This 52-mile (84 km) circular route leads you alongside the mighty River Thames, the Oxford Canal and passes by the River Cherwell. You’ll find locks that have been in operation for hundreds of years, pubs that have been serving for even longer and the ruins of once-great buildings. The path takes in thatched villages where churches have stood since the Norman times and hikes through vibrant woodland like Wytham Wood.

Along the way, you pass historically important places and wander through villages and landscapes that many famous names have wandered through before. This is all thanks to Oxford’s storied past and its incredible university. Writers, artists, poets have all soaked up the scenes in the city’s green belt.

Exceptionally well-planned by Campaign to Protect Rural England, the trail leads past four Park & Ride (P&R) sites, allowing you to reach it easily either from within Oxford or from elsewhere. With lots of other bus routes crossing the trail too, you can essentially start your walk from any point along it. This also means you can hike it in individual stages and simply use sections as the basis of weekend walks. In this Collection, it begins from Sandhills & Thornhill P&R.

There are usually a few accommodation options near the stage end points but sometimes the Tours end away from settlements, giving you the option of walking a little off the trail to find suitable overnight stays. If you want to stay in Oxford, it’s never a very long bus ride into the city from any of the surrounding villages. For food, you’ll find village shops, pubs and small local supermarkets, the latter in places like Abingdon, Eynsham and Kidlington.

You can hike this route throughout the year and there’s nothing challenging about the terrain. Late spring to early autumn is the best time for daylight hours, warmth and settled weather; waterproofs and sun cream will always come in handy. Always carry enough water with you and some snacks for each day’s walk in case you struggle to find supplies.