Situated in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty and spanning both Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Aston Rowant is a wonderful spot for a family walk and has a wonderful bluebell woodland. Find all the best bluebell woodlands in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire bluebells.
Bluebells at Aston Rowant Nature Reserve
From mid April, the bluebells at Aston Rowant Nature Reserve area just stunning. A purple haze covers the woodland floor and there are numerous paths leading through and around which means you can get up close without any danger of damaging them. The road leading up to the nature reserve has large patches in the woods on either side. Park at the first small car park you get to and you’ll easily see where to go.
Aston Rowant Nature Reserve holds it’s own as a great place to visit at any time of the year.
Aston Rowant Family Walk
The nature reserve is situated on the chalk escapement of the Chilterns with woodland pathways, great views from the view points and a number of different routes to take depending on how far you want to go.
The signboard in the car park said the walks around Aston Rowant Nature Reserve were marked but some are better marked than others! Walks vary in length and challenge and pretty much link up together.
It’s not the most peaceful as you have the hum of the M40 which is nearby but we loved climbing right up to get the views from the top. It’s also a great spot to see impressive Red Kites soaring and circling overhead.
There are a number of benches along the way so you can stop to take in the view and we enjoyed a mini picnic at the top. Fallen trees are great for bugs and mini beasts and also make a great natural playground for adventurous kids.
Talking Trail
More interesting for my kids was the talking trail. This includes 6 locally crafted sculptures along a better marked trail. Each sculpture is different and has a wind-up listening post at which you can hear short audio clips.
Aston Rowant Nature Reserve is great for a family walk with lots of variety and some brilliant trees for climbing too.
Aston Rowant Nature Reserve Parking
There’s no charge to visit the Aston Rowant and car parking is technically free. However, they have donate boxes or a Ringo number and donations really help for the upkeep. There are 2 car parks at Aston Rowant. The first that you come to is just a little one to the side where the bluebell woods are and if you car on a little further, the main one is at the end of the road. Cowleaze Wood car park is also not too far and next on my list of places to visit.
Keep an eye out for a brown sign from the road for the nature reserve.
