Bald Hill

County - Oxfordshire (historic...)

Elevation – 257m

Date – 23/01/2022

Distance –0.9km

Elevation climbed - 4m

Status - Historic County Top

The eagle-eyed amongst you might have noticed that I've already got an entry for Oxfordshire; my legendary ascent of White Horse Hill back in 2016. So what's all this about?

Well, as ever, it's an issue of politics and completion. Back in the day White Horse Hill was in Wiltshire. That left Bald Hill as the highest point in Oxfordshire. But the boundaries shifted, and Bald Hill is now known only as the historic County Top. But some lists still have this as the Top, and as it's five minutes from the M40 and I was passing, I thought I might as well bag it.

If you've ever driven down the M40 you'll have seen Bald Hill. There's a great bit where Bucks meets Ox and the motorway passes through a deep escarpment before opening up where it looks like the whole of England is spread upon you, and the air is full of red kites. That's Bald Hill.

Getting there by car involves coming off a J5 and weaving down to Cowleaze Wood, a wee nature reserve on top of the hill, then walking for four minutes through the wood to the high point, marked by, erm, a telegraph pole. And then back to the car.

The top was at the end of this pleasant avenue of trees

As a Top, it was somewhat disappointing, especially when the entire area around seemed to be full of spectacular views as the Chilterns dropped dramatically away into rural Oxfordshire. Still; it was another one off the list.