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Walling along the Wychwood Way, Oxfordshire, England

Learn the art of drystone walling restoration along the Wychwood Way, a 37 mile circular walk in Oxfordshire while staying under canvas in style (Glamping) on a working farm with magnificent views over the Cotswolds and Thames.

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Type of Holiday: Conservation Holidays, Short Breaks, Volunteer Holidays

Price:

£190 (£180 with earlybird discount)

Duration: 3 Days

Departures: 22 July

Start point: Oxford

End point: Oxford

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Greentraveller's Top Tips: If you've some time to spend in Oxford before hopping on the train, we have a few green suggestions for you to consider. From the train station on the way towards the stunning University of Oxford, the Organic Deli and Cafe is well worth a stop for a scrumptious lunch break. Exploring the landmarks, colleges and museums of Oxford is best done on foot as the city is very compact and many streets are pedestrianised. The Oxford University Parks are also a great place for a stroll through lovely green space.

Details of Walling along the Wychwood Way, Oxfordshire

The wonderfully secluded and tranquil work site is situated in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers beautiful views in almost every direction. The wall we will be working on runs alongside the 37 mile long Wychwood Way circular trail. The stretch of wall which we will be restoring is near the pretty village of Chadlington and the town of Chipping Norton.

The main focus will be to restore a number of sections of dry-stone wall that run along side the Wychwood Way. The Cotswolds are renowned for their dry-stone walls and the tradition of building these stems back to the Romans who began to quarry the limestone to use in building, helping to form the Cotswolds historic landscape. It is important to conserve dry-stone walls not only because of their aesthetic value but also as they are important habitats for wildlife and help to give us historical insights of times gone by.

On the Saturday you will be joined by a dry-stone walling trainer, who will guide you in learning this traditional skill. Several parts of this wall have crumbled away leaving gaps that vary in size allowing you to set yourself an obtainable challenge of restoring a gap that suits your ability. The local style of walling in the Cotswolds Hills is unique to this area and the stones used are generally smaller than in other areas, making this an easier style to learn.

We have found you some very special accommodation for the weekend! It is on Park Farm in Littleworth, just outside Farringdon which has sweeping views of the Cotswolds and the Thames. Park Farm is a working arable and sheep farm, and you are welcome to see the sheep every morning and spot the varied wildlife.

The accommodation is quite unusual as it is known as glamping - glamourous camping! Even though you are under canvas you have all the luxuries of home and more. Newly built in the last year, the tents each sleep 4 or 5 , there is one bunk room, a double room and a cupboard bed! There is a wood burning stove in each tent, which can also be used for cooking! The accommodation is booked for the Sunday night too so if you wish to unwind and stay on after your day of walling you are more than welcome.

There is plenty to see and do on the farm and there is a path from the farm to the Thames where you can do a 4 mile round trip walk to Radcot Lock. Radcot is also famed to have the oldest bridge across the Thames, which you can enjoy while enjoying a drink at the Swan Inn!