Aston Rowant: Nature, Walking Trails and Village History

Aston Rowant can be explored through its escarpment landscape, the paths of the Chilterns and the village’s history. Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve lies on the north-western escarpment of the Chiltern Hills, within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Ridgeway National Trail borders the reserve. Aston Rowant Woods is a large area of ancient beech woodland.

Natural Landscape on the Chilterns Escarpment

The reserve is a place to spot finches, fieldfares, redwings, red kites, wheatears, lesser whitethroats and blackcaps. For nature enthusiasts, the landscape offers specific bird species to look out for as well as its location on the Chilterns escarpment. The ancient beech woodland of Aston Rowant Woods adds another dimension to the landscape.

Walking Trails and Historic Routes

The stated starting points and trail formats offer useful ways to distinguish between walks. The Aston Rowant Discovery Trail is fully waymarked, five miles long and a circular route. It starts in the village of Aston Rowant and leads into the Chiltern Hills. By contrast, the “Beacon Hill, Juniper Bank and Aston Wood walk” starts at the car park for Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve. The Discovery Trail can therefore be identified by its length, circular route and village starting point; the other walk is described as starting at the reserve car park.

The long-distance routes also have different descriptions of their courses. The Ridgeway Long Distance Path (Icknield Way) runs from east to west through the Parish of Aston Rowant at the foot of the Chilterns. The Discovery Trail, by contrast, leads from the village into the Chiltern Hills. This comparison helps distinguish the route through the parish at the foot of the hills from the circular walk that starts in the village.

The Upper Icknield Way is also the Ridgeway National Trail and probably served as a drove road for more than 1,000 years. In Aston Wood, a sunken lane leads up the escarpment from the area around the Icknield Way. A plan drawn by B. Badock in 1824 labels this sunken lane “Old Wood Road.”

Village History and Local Landmarks

The Church of St Peter and St Paul provides its own timeline. Its nave dates from the 12th century and its chancel from the 13th century. The tower and aisles date from the 14th century, and the clerestory from the 15th century. This sequence places the named parts of the church across several centuries.

Fiveways is a specific landmark for finding your way around the village: an information board is located there, and the Church Lane bridleway meets the Lower Icknield Way at the crossroads. Every February, FAAG and the church organise duck races and cream teas at Fiveways; the events coincide with the peak flowering season for snowdrops. This links a recurring village event with a seasonal natural feature.

Aston Rowant also hosts three community walks each year. FAAG leads them together with Thames and Wheatley Ramblers and the Chiltern Society. This annual activity complements the individual routes described above with a community-led walking event.

For an overview of the wider area: Oxfordshire.