In Steeple and Middle Aston
One of the best ways to explore our area is to take a written guide with you. Steeple Aston Village Archive Trust (SAVA) has published a guided walk around the village, giving details of the houses and their history. There are photos too of some of the houses.
To see the guide in full, and to download a copy to print and take with you on your walk, please click here.
Or you can go to the village shop and buy a booklet. “A Stroll Round Steeple Aston”, written by local resident Jean Stone, takes you on a guided walk around the village pointing out buildings of interest and explaining their history.
Or for a more rural walk try the Guide to local footpaths, also available in the shop, which will give you a choice of walks of varying length around the Steeple Aston area.
If time or energy are limited, there are a few village highlights you shouldn’t miss:
Visit the church and see the extraordinary statue of Judge Page, the notorious “hanging judge” and his wife. The church is open daily and there is a booklet for sale there full of historical detail.
Take a short walk down Cow Lane to see the Folly, also known as the “Eyecatcher”. It looks like the ruins of some ancient abbey, but in fact was built in the 18th century for the owners of Rousham House (see below).
Go down the Tchure, the very short footpath that crosses the valley in the centre of the village taking you from Southside to Northside – or vice versa!
Walk from Steeple Aston to Middle Aston, and then sit on the bench and enjoy the wonderful view across the Cherwell Valley.
And when you’ve finished exploring, there will be a warm welcome for you at our historical pub, the Red Lion.
For details of village footpaths and longer walks nearby, please see the Walks & Other Exercise section.
Places of Interest within 10 miles
Oxford Canal
You can walk down to the Oxford Canal from Steeple Aston, to see the boatyard and perhaps even hire a boat. Oxfordshire Narrowboats at Heyford Wharf have day boats for hire, and a canalside bistro if you’re in need of refreshment. Visit their website at www.oxfordshire-narrowboats.co.uk
Or if you don’t fancy boating, a walk or cycle along the towpath can provide much interest. Not only can you see lots of traditional narrowboats, but there are also plenty of wildflowers, water birds – and if you’re lucky you might even see a kingfisher. The Canal and River Trust administer the Oxford Canal and provide information about walking, cycling and angling on their website https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
Rousham
Within walking distance of Steeple Aston, Rousham is often described as a “hidden gem” for its extensive landscape gardens designed by William Kent in the 1730s. It is very quiet and unspoilt with no tearoom or shop. The gardens are open daily from 10.00am, with last entry at 4.30pm. Admission costs £8. The house is open only by prior arrangement. Neither children under 15 nor dogs are allowed in the grounds.
For more information go to www.rousham.org.
Deddington
The village of Deddington is about four miles from Steeple Aston. It has some lovely shops and houses, an art gallery and a castle site. It also has several hotels and restaurants. The popular Deddington Farmers Market takes place on the fourth Saturday of the month from 9.00am to 12.30pm. More details can be found at www.deddington.org.uk
Bicester Village
Shoppers come from far and wide to search for bargains at Bicester Village, which is 8.5 miles from Steeple Aston. An outlet centre for lots of designer goods as well as familiar high street chains, the village now has over 160 stores. For more information go to www.bicestervillage.com
Blenheim Palace & Woodstock
Blenheim Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. It has formal gardens, a large park landscaped by Capability Brown, and of course a palace to visit. Its website has all the details: www.blenheimpalace.com.
Blenheim Palace is in Woodstock, which is 8.5 miles from Steeple Aston, and this historic town is well worth exploring. There are plenty of shops, hotels and restaurants there. You’ll find details on www.wakeuptowoodstock.com.
Also the Oxfordshire County Museum is in Woodstock, for more information go to www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/the_oxfordshire_museum.
Further afield
There are plenty of other places of interest near to Steeple Aston, not least among them the ancient city of Oxford.
For more information try the following websites:
www.experienceoxfordshire.org
www.visitnorthoxfordshire.com
www.oxtowns.co.uk/
www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org
or contact the following tourist information centres:
Banbury Tourist Information Centre
Banbury Museum & Tooley’s Boat Yard
Spiceball Park Road
Banbury
OX16 2PQ
Tel: 01295 753752
Email: banbury.tic@cherwell.gov.uk
Bicester Tourist Information Centre
Bicester Village
Pringle Drive
Bicester
OX6 7UD
Tel:01869 369055
Email: bicester.tic@cherwell.gov.uk