Napton Windmill – Napton Church and Cemetery loop from Napton on the Hill CP

Hiking trails & Routes

Napton on the Hill CP

Napton Windmill – Napton Church and Cemetery loop from Napton on the Hill CP

Easy

4.0

(5)

hikers

Napton Windmill – Napton Church and Cemetery loop from Napton on the Hill CP

01:16

4.50km

90m

Hiking

Easy hike. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 16, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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607 m

Napton Windmill

Highlight • Monument

Napton Windmill is a red brick tower mill that was built around 1835. It was designated a Grade II-listed building on 7th January 1952.

The mill lay derelict until about 1972 when it was restored, converted into a house and fitted with four patent sails. In January 1976, two of the sails blew off in a gale and were later restored.

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615 m

Napton-on-the-Hill WWII Observer Post

Highlight • Monument

Commemorative plaque at the side of the lane about 150 metres from the mill.

Inscription on the Plaque reads

“You are welcome to use the seat on this private property at you own risk. This seat and Rowan tree are on the site of the WWII Observer Post operated by the Royal Observer Corps. It was part of a network of observer towers built for the purpose of providing a system for detecting and tracking aircraft. The Blitz on Coventry (to the north of this spot) in November 1940 would have been observed from the tower. Villagers also witnessed the event from the fields. The Tree was planted on the 50th anniversary.

The Oxford Canal is close by and also played a part in the defences of the area in WWII.

Following the fall of France in 1940 a German invasion was considered imminent and part of Britain’s defence system was a network of Inland Stop Lines. The canal around Napton was part of Western Command’s Napton to Coventry Stop Line.

Evidence of these defences can still be found along the canal to the south of this spot. There are still Stent pillboxes on the side of the canal and anti-tank blocks just off the canal.

The support to this country in its desperate hours by such people as the Observer Corps, The Home Guard, The Women’s Land Army and the Agricultural and Horticultural workers who fed and protected this Nation is not always adequately remembered.

So, please take time to sit and reflect on the freedom we have today.”

The Observer Corps

The Corps was awarded the title ‘Royal’ by His Majesty King George VI in April 1941. During the Second World War the Royal Observer Corps undertook the long range tracking and reporting of enemy aircraft.

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1.52 km

Napton Brickyard Bridge No. 112

Highlight • Bridge

Napton Brickyard Bridge No 112 is a minor waterways place on the Oxford Canal (Southern Section - Main Line) between Old Engine House Arm Junction (1 mile and 7 furlongs and 7 locks to the south) and Napton Junction (Junction of Grand Union and Oxford Canals) (1 mile and 2¼ furlongs to the northeast).

The nearest place in the direction of Old Engine House Arm Junction is Winding Hole below Napton Locks; 4¼ furlongs away.

The nearest place in the direction of Napton Junction is Napton Bridge No 111; 3½ furlongs away.

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2.20 km

Napton Bridge No. 111 (Oxford Canal)

Highlight • Bridge

Napton Bridge No 111 is a place on the waterways on the Oxford Canal (Southern Section - Main Line) between Old Engine House Arm Junction (2 miles and 2½ furlongs and 7 locks to the south) and Napton Junction (Junction of Grand Union and Oxford Canals) (7 furlongs to the east).

The nearest place in the direction of Old Engine House Arm Junction is Napton Brickyard Bridge No 112; 3½ furlongs away.

The nearest place in the direction of Napton Junction is The Bridge PH (Napton) (Closed May 2016); a few yards away.

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2.84 km

Napton Bridge No. 110 (Oxford Canal)

Highlight • Bridge

Napton Bridge No 110 is a minor waterways place on the Oxford Canal (Southern Section - Main Line) between Old Engine House Arm Junction (2 miles and 5¾ furlongs and 7 locks to the south) and Napton Junction (Junction of Grand Union and Oxford Canals) (3¾ furlongs to the east).

The nearest place in the direction of Old Engine House Arm Junction is Bridge Inn Winding Hole; 3 furlongs away.

The nearest place in the direction of Napton Junction is Coventry Road Bridge No 109; ¾ furlongs away.

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3.02 km

Napton Junction Marina

Highlight • Rest Area

This is a pleasant marina that serves the village of Napton-on-the-Hill. The village offers splendid views of the Oxford Canal, as it bends around the hill. It is worth taking a look at Napton Windmill and St Lawrence Church, both beautiful buildings. Close to the marina, The Kings Head is a relaxed and family friendly pub that serves good food.

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