Shakespeare's Way
Shakespeare's Way is a relatively unknown long-distance footpath, 146 miles in length, between Stratford Upon Avon and the recreated Globe Theatre in London. The path runs through the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, Blenheim Park, Oxford, the Valley of the Thame, and the beech woods of the Chilterns.
There is plenty of accommodation in hotels, inns and bed & breakfast, and more than enough excellent pubs and restaurants.
Much of Shakespeare's Way passes through similar countryside to the Thames Path, and connects with it at various places. Walkers can use connecting paths to make circular routes using parts of both long-distance footpaths.
Please note that Ramblefest gives information on accommodation and other services along the Shakespeare's Way only as far as West Drayton, 119 miles, just inside Greater London. After that we consider the Shakespeare's Way to be too urban and having too many options of accommodation, pubs etc.
Not only do we show you where to find accommodation and places to eat and drink (click in table below), but we show the guidebooks and maps required, and make them available to buy online.
Shakespeare's Way
Mileage and Services Table
Please click on a location to open the page displaying Accommodation, Camping, Pub and Restaurant information for that location.
NOTE: Figures after the `+' sign indicates miles off route. The table legend is at the bottom of the page.
| LOCATION | CUMULATIVE MILES |
FACILITIES |
|---|---|---|
| Stratford Upon Avon | - | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,CG,Train,Bus |
| Clifford Chambers | 3 | Accommodation (Inn),R,PH |
| Alderminster | 7 | Accommodation (H,Inn),R,PH |
| Halford | 11 | Accommodation (Inn),R,PH |
| Shipston On Stour | 17 | Accommodation (B&B),H,R,PH |
| Long Compton | 24 | Accommodation (Inn,B&B),C,R,PH |
| Salford | 29 | Accommodation (B&B,PH |
| Chipping Norton | 31 | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,Bus |
| Enstone | 36 | Accommodation (B&B),PH |
| Woodstock | 47 | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,CG,Train,Bus |
| Bladon | 48 | Accommodation (B&B),PH,Rail,Bus |
| Yarnton | 52 | R,PH |
| Wolvercote | 54 | R,PH |
| Oxford | 58 | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,CG,Train,Bus |
| Sandford On Thames | 62 | Accommodation (H),R,PH |
| Toot Baldon | 65 | R,PH |
| Marsh Baldon | 66 | R,PH |
| Chiselhampton | 68 | Accommodation (Inn),R,PH |
| Stadhampton | 69 | Accommodation (H),R,PH |
| Chalgrove | 71 | Accommodation (B&B),R,PH |
| Brightwell Baldwin | 74 | Accommodation (Inn),PH |
| Watlington | 76½ + 1 | Accommodation (Inn,B&B),C,R,PH,Bus |
| Maidensgrove | 83 | R,PH |
| Hambleden | 89½ | Accommodation (Inn),R,PH |
| Marlow | 96 | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,CG,Train,Bus |
| Bourne End | 99 | Accommodation (B&B),R,PH,Train,Bus |
| Cookham | 100 | Accommodation (B&B),R,PH,Train,Bus |
| Farnham Common | 107 | Accommodation (B&B),C,R,PH |
| Fulmer | 110 | PH |
| Iver | 116 | Accommodation (H),R,PH,Train,Bus |
| West Drayton | 119 | Accommodation (H),R,PH,Train,Bus |
Legend
| B&B | Bed & Breakfast Accommodation |
| C | Camping |
| CG | Camping Gear Shop |
| H | Hotel or Inn Accommodation |
| PH | Pub or Bar |
| R | Restaurant, Bar Meal or Tea Shop |
| YHA | Youth Hostel |
Shakespeare's Way Accommodation
We have split Shakespeare's Way accommodation into Hotels & Inns and Bed & Breakfast. Guest House accommodation is included with Bed & Breakfast. While we realise many guest houses are better than some hotel accommodation, in order to avoid confusion we have opted for the simpler option. We are always looking to improve our information, and welcome accommodation recommendations.
Shakespeare's Way Restaurants and Pubs
We have attempted to give as much information as possible on pubs and restaurants along Shakespeare's Way, but restaurants and pubs are notoriously changeable. Wherever possible, we have included information on pubs serving real ale and/or food. Please let us know if our information is out of date.
Shakespeare's Way Guidebooks & Maps
We have greatly improved our Ramblefest-Amazon store and made it very easy to find the books and maps required for your walk. Please click on the Guidebook or Map image to be taken to the relevant guidebooks and maps for the Shakespeare's Way, many other outdoors books and maps, and the option of buying them online.
Shakespeare's Way Forum
We have added a forum for those wishing to place or gain additional information or opinion on the various aspects of the Shakespeare's Way long-distance footpath. Shakespeare's Way Forum.
The Shakespeare’s Way Association
The Shakespeare’s Way Association created the footpath entirely from existing paths. They have a website:
The association is raising funds for Stratford-upon-Avon’s Shakespeare Hospice, which is funded almost entirely by charitable donations, and are encouraging walkers, should they so wish, to raise funds by obtaining sponsorship from friends, relations and work colleagues.
Sponsorship forms are available via e-mail. Please follow the link below marking the subject box ‘Sponsorship Form’:
Shakespeare's Way Photographs and Logs
We want to display as many photographs as possible of the Shakespeare's Way, and there is always room for your photographs and walk logs - just email them to us. Alternatively, if you have them online you can send us the link.
Contact us
If you wish to add comments or amendments, upload your Shakespeare's Way photographs or logs, add to our free listing or upgrade to Superior Listing, please email us:
shakespearesway@ramblefest.com
