The best running trails around Appleford-On-Thames

Little Wittenham has a very pretty church. It is surprising to find that it is not terribly ancient, for it was almost entirely rebuilt in 1862. The original building was built for the monks of Abingdon Abbey who held a monastic grange next door. The 14th century tower is original, as is its 'Ace of Spades' window - a reminder that this playing card paid for its erection when it brought a huge win to a local merchant! This may be a variant on the old story which suggests that the last of the Dunch family at the manor gambled away his home to King James II. The Dunches once had a family chapel on the south side of the chancel. Their fine monuments are now squeezed into the space under the tower. The great treasure of the church is the large monument to Sir William Dunch (1612) and his wife, Mary, the aunt of Oliver Cromwell. The Tudor brasses surrounding it include the first William Dunch (1597). There is a good collection of earlier brasses in the chancel: Geoffrey Kidwelly (1483) has an altar-style monument. His wife (1472) is on the floor with other members of this Lancastrian family from Wales who entered into the service of King Henry VI.

Little Wittenham Wood has been designated as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), reflecting its international importance for wildlife. The nature reserve is particularly important for the endangered species, the Great Crested Newt. This shy amphibian uses the many ponds within the nature reserve to breed, but it spends the majority of time in the surrounding woodland. Tucking itself quietly away in safe and secure hidden spots, you have to search carefully to find them. Much easier to spot are the dragonflies and damselflies which hover around the ponds. If you wander down to the bird hide, at the river’s edge, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Kingfishers or Otters.

It's a Car free route

Great Tarmac track through Milton Park to Sutton Courtney

Cycle path away from traffic and in the middle of nature that's convenient to get from Abingdon to Didcot. Some of the path was resurfaced relatively recently, so the tarmac is in decent conditions, shame they didn't do a better job at smoothing it out as it can be quite bumpy in places even where the new tarmac was laid down.

Great cut through that links Long Wittenham to Didcot. Mostly OK, bar after severe flooding.

The rugged yew tree is a survivor, having been badly damaged in several recent arson attacks. The yew likely predates the All Saints church built in the 12th century. There is evidence of Roman and Saxon settlement in this area, and so it is likely a wooden church once existed on the present site. Baxter wrote about the yew in his 1992 book 'The Eternal Yew' and called it 'a survivor whatever the circumstances - a typical eternal yew'.

Beautiful woodland below Wittenham clumps. Good paths and lovely nature.