TUCKMILL NATURE RESERVE, PENNYHOOKS LANE, SHRIVENHAM, OXFORDSHIRE SN6 8EX
Tuckmill nature reserve is between the villages of Shrivenham and Watchfield, just south of the A420 - approximately 9 miles from Swindon and 24 miles from Oxford. See below for different routes you can take through the reserve. Although these are not public footpaths you are welcome to enjoy them. Directions on how to find Tuckmill by bus, car or on foot are also below.
ROUTES TO EXPLORE
From the nature reserve car park there are two paths that run northeastwards, either side of a tributary stream. These paths, which are permissive rather than public footpaths, cross the streams on footbridges and meet at the far side of the reserve. Part of the walk includes a section of boardwalk over the marshland. The circular loop around Tuckmill meadows and fen is approximately half a mile and we suggest leaving at least half an hour for your visit. Waterproof footwear is recommended during wet periods given the marshy areas of the site, particularly along the footpath that is near the boundary with the golf course.
Another option is to include the public footpath across the golf course in your walk. From Pennyhooks Lane this footpath starts just to the right of the golf course clubhouse. It is clearly marked and generally follows the telegraph poles. At the end, just before the stepping stones and footbridge over Tuckmill Brook, the reserve is through a gate on your left. From Watchfield, instead of going into the reserve after crossing the brook, bear left. You will find the footpath that crosses the golf course straight ahead. When using this footpath please take care to look out for golf balls and be considerate to golfers.
From the nature reserve car park there are two paths that run northeastwards, either side of a tributary stream. These paths, which are permissive rather than public footpaths, cross the streams on footbridges and meet at the far side of the reserve. Part of the walk includes a section of boardwalk over the marshland. The circular loop around Tuckmill meadows and fen is approximately half a mile and we suggest leaving at least half an hour for your visit. Waterproof footwear is recommended during wet periods given the marshy areas of the site, particularly along the footpath that is near the boundary with the golf course.
Another option is to include the public footpath across the golf course in your walk. From Pennyhooks Lane this footpath starts just to the right of the golf course clubhouse. It is clearly marked and generally follows the telegraph poles. At the end, just before the stepping stones and footbridge over Tuckmill Brook, the reserve is through a gate on your left. From Watchfield, instead of going into the reserve after crossing the brook, bear left. You will find the footpath that crosses the golf course straight ahead. When using this footpath please take care to look out for golf balls and be considerate to golfers.
Above is an aerial photo of Tuckmill nature reserve by Neil B Maw, overlaid with an outline showing its approximate boundaries.
This Ordnance Survey map was published in 1923 and shows what is now Tuckmill nature reserve: the 'L-shaped' area between Pennyhooks Lane and Tuckmill Stream. The meanderings in the stream are now more residual and form the marsh that is one of Tuckmill's areas of Special Scientific Interest (SSI). We plan to add another map soon showing how the area has changed and detailing current paths and the boardwalk over the fen. Please note that the path on the left from Pennyhooks Lane to Tuckmill Stream is no longer a public footpath - a new path utilising the driest parts of the site is currently being created by Friends of Tuckmill.
Map courtesy of National Library of Scotland, Berkshire XII.7 (Highworth, Shrivenham, Watchfield)
Part of the Ordnance Survey 25 inch England and Wales collection
https://maps.nls.uk/view/104195857
Part of the Ordnance Survey 25 inch England and Wales collection
https://maps.nls.uk/view/104195857
"Views of the wider landscape are good and the atmosphere quite peaceful, despite the proximity to a nearby main road, the A420" UK Southwest
DIRECTIONS
FROM OXFORD/SWINDON
BY BUS - The S6 Gold Stagecoach bus runs between Swindon and Oxford up to every 30 minutes at peak times Monday to Saturday, plus hourly in the evenings and on Sundays. Alight the bus between Shrivenham and Watchfield at the Watchfield, Military College of Science stop near Northford (not the stop that is actually in the College). Walk towards Shrivenham, with the golf course on your right. After approximately 300m, where the road bends, turn right into Pennyhooks Lane (signed Shrivenham Park Golf Club). Approximately 250m past the golf course entrance, Tuckmill nature reserve and its small car park are on the right.
BY CAR - Leave the A420 at the Watchfield roundabout and take Faringdon Road towards Shrivenham. Just before entering Shrivenham, where the road curves to the left, take the turing to the right (Pennyhooks Lane) signed Shrivenham Park Golf Club. Approximately 250m past the golf course entrance, Tuckmill nature reserve and its small car park are on the right.
FROM SHRIVENHAM
BY CAR - From Shrivenham High Street take Faringdon Road out of the village, towards Watchfield/Faringdon/Oxford. After a short distance, where the road curves to the right, take the turning to the left (Pennyhooks Lane) signed Shrivenham Park Golf Club. Approximately 250m past the golf course entrance, Tuckmill nature reserve and its small car park are on the right.
BY FOOT - From Shrivenham High Street, near the bus stop, turn into Church Walk. Continue straight through the churchyard, keeping the church on your right. At the far end of the churchyard turn left into Claypits Lane and straight on to the footpath at the end of the lane. Turn left at the end of the footpath into Pennyhooks Lane. Approximately 250m past the golf club entrance Tuckmill nature reserve will be found on the right.
FROM WATCHFIELD
BY CAR - From Watchfield village take Faringdon Road towards Shrivenham/Swindon. Just before entering Shrivenham, where the road curves to the left, take the turing to the right (Pennyhooks Lane) signed Shrivenham Park Golf Club. Approximately 250m past the golf course entrance, Tuckmill nature reserve and its small car park are on the right.
BY FOOT - From the junction of Star Lane and Oxford Square take the public footpath that has a tall hedge on your left. This opens out into Shrivenham Park Golf Course. Follow the public footpath straight across the golf course towards the bridge opposite. Take the bridge over the stream and, after the stepping stones, the entrance to Tuckmill nature reserve is through a gateway to the right. From here, to take the route through the reserve that is parallel to the golf course, go straight on and then turn left. For the route that leads to the fenland, follow the track leading to the right and then turn left.
FROM OXFORD/SWINDON
BY BUS - The S6 Gold Stagecoach bus runs between Swindon and Oxford up to every 30 minutes at peak times Monday to Saturday, plus hourly in the evenings and on Sundays. Alight the bus between Shrivenham and Watchfield at the Watchfield, Military College of Science stop near Northford (not the stop that is actually in the College). Walk towards Shrivenham, with the golf course on your right. After approximately 300m, where the road bends, turn right into Pennyhooks Lane (signed Shrivenham Park Golf Club). Approximately 250m past the golf course entrance, Tuckmill nature reserve and its small car park are on the right.
BY CAR - Leave the A420 at the Watchfield roundabout and take Faringdon Road towards Shrivenham. Just before entering Shrivenham, where the road curves to the left, take the turing to the right (Pennyhooks Lane) signed Shrivenham Park Golf Club. Approximately 250m past the golf course entrance, Tuckmill nature reserve and its small car park are on the right.
FROM SHRIVENHAM
BY CAR - From Shrivenham High Street take Faringdon Road out of the village, towards Watchfield/Faringdon/Oxford. After a short distance, where the road curves to the right, take the turning to the left (Pennyhooks Lane) signed Shrivenham Park Golf Club. Approximately 250m past the golf course entrance, Tuckmill nature reserve and its small car park are on the right.
BY FOOT - From Shrivenham High Street, near the bus stop, turn into Church Walk. Continue straight through the churchyard, keeping the church on your right. At the far end of the churchyard turn left into Claypits Lane and straight on to the footpath at the end of the lane. Turn left at the end of the footpath into Pennyhooks Lane. Approximately 250m past the golf club entrance Tuckmill nature reserve will be found on the right.
FROM WATCHFIELD
BY CAR - From Watchfield village take Faringdon Road towards Shrivenham/Swindon. Just before entering Shrivenham, where the road curves to the left, take the turing to the right (Pennyhooks Lane) signed Shrivenham Park Golf Club. Approximately 250m past the golf course entrance, Tuckmill nature reserve and its small car park are on the right.
BY FOOT - From the junction of Star Lane and Oxford Square take the public footpath that has a tall hedge on your left. This opens out into Shrivenham Park Golf Course. Follow the public footpath straight across the golf course towards the bridge opposite. Take the bridge over the stream and, after the stepping stones, the entrance to Tuckmill nature reserve is through a gateway to the right. From here, to take the route through the reserve that is parallel to the golf course, go straight on and then turn left. For the route that leads to the fenland, follow the track leading to the right and then turn left.
PLEASE NOTE
Pennyhooks Lane is only surfaced as far as Shrivenham Park Golf Course beyond which the lane is not in good repair. Although the reserve has a small car park you may wish to park your car elsewhere and walk the last part of your journey. Shrivenham Park Golf Club is happy for visitors to use its car park unless it is very busy (e.g. on match days and fine weekends). They serve great coffee and snacks!
Pennyhooks Lane is only surfaced as far as Shrivenham Park Golf Course beyond which the lane is not in good repair. Although the reserve has a small car park you may wish to park your car elsewhere and walk the last part of your journey. Shrivenham Park Golf Club is happy for visitors to use its car park unless it is very busy (e.g. on match days and fine weekends). They serve great coffee and snacks!
Pennyhooks Lane by Therese Penny