Willow Walk - Seacourt Stream
Willow Walk aka Ruskins Ride way was originally a footpath and bridleway linking Oxford and North Hinksey. It was built in 1876-77 by Aubre Harcourt a local landowner after which several areas are name e.g. Harcourt Hill. It gets its name from the large number of Willow Trees lining its path although most are now very old.
The old footpath was large stone cobbles and setts, almost similar to a Roman road and sometime in the late 1990's a strip of tarmac was laid to ease use by bicycles but it was still bumpy and the wooden brisge over the bullstake stream was single file only. In 2023 Oxfordshire County Council significantly upgraded the path and replaced the bridge to what you see today.
The stone built bridge has one main arch and smaller arches each side, It also has four "lookout" posts two each side that have stepa up and jut out affording a better view of the sides of the bridge and river. In the summer the water is very shallow and easily forded so this could have been one of the orignal Oxen Fords where Oxford gets its name.
Seacourt Stream marks the boundary between Oxford City Council and Vale of White Horse Council. Originally pre 1974 everything west of the stream was in Berkshire with east being Oxfordshire.
This is a part of a set of caches placed to take you on a walk from North Hinksey to Osney and back (or vice-versa) via two old paths that were used before the modern roads were built to access the western side of Oxford.
They can be completed either way round with parking available at each end, either starting here and having a rest stop/refreshments halfway around at various establishments..
The circular walk should take under 90 minutes but can be extended if wished to collect other caches at either end
NB Monks Causeway and parts of Osney Mead industrial estate often floods when both Seacourt & Bullstake streams are in flood and overflowing into the floodplain fields around them. Do not enter flood water or attempt to walk along the causeway at these times. The cache(s) though should still be accessible but you won't be able to complete a circular walk.
As always please supervise children around water.
Monks Causeway itself is not wheelchair or stroller accessible but the caches and willow walk are although some are placed high up.
Cache is a magnetic camo tube Tweezers may be required
Congratulations FTF..... Sapphirites