Epwell Saltway

We first stopped at the village of Epwell in May 2018, forgot it completely and revisited in Jan 2024.  Then old memories started to return and I found the pictures I took all those years ago of what seems to have been a Roman saltway, much reduced by hedges and Time… or perhaps it was always this narrow?  It was so beautiful in the early days of May that it’s hard to resist a third visit…

There’s a small pine forest outside Epwell (#1) with three on the left – now only two – seemingly forming an archway en route to Ditchedge Lane.  We turned right towards the village but came off the tarmac at SP 353396 to join a track towards Swalcliffe, which soon became something narrower, cosier and somehow more English.  It’s a long time ago, but I remember the excitement and smell of spring.

What of drovers?  Well, we didn’t meet any on this walk, but there was one sign they may have left behind: a wide cattle/sheep resting place before Banbury Market.  But that is only an excuse for inclusion.  If you do the walk, you may meet us on our third Epwell visit…

Our last view was of Madmarston Hill, an iron age fort.  Its walls were destroyed by modern agriculture.  There is an excellent photo of how Madmarston used to look on the site  http://www.fraw.org.uk/rambles/ancient/sites/madmarston_hill.shtml