Walkers from across Oxfordshire have been rediscovering the countryside during the coronavirus lockdowns.

This is set to continue as lockdown eases as more people have enjoyed getting close to nature.

Many other activities have been severely limited due to government restrictions, with festivals and other major gatherings abandoned.

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People in walking groups have been devising their own short circular walks during 2020 and this year.

More organised walks are now taking place, with safe social distancing.

One local rambler is Wendy Thomas, who has been enjoying walk which has links with the fantasy author CS Lewis.

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Ms Thomas has been taking part in a number of walks in and around the city.

Narnia fans in particular should enjoy this walk from Thornhill park and ride, which visits the CS Lewis Nature Reserve.

Ms Thomas has provided a detailed description of the route she has devised.

She said: "Exit the car park and turn left, then almost immediately left again onto the footpath alongside the former Neilsen building.

"On reaching a playing-field, take the metalled path on the right and skirt around the field until you see, to the right of some buildings, the entrance to a narrow park and playground.

"Go through the park, exit right into Kiln Lane and continue until you meet Lewis Close on your left; the entrance to the Nature Reserve is at the end of the close with The Kilns, the house where Lewis once lived, on your right.

Explore the reserve, making your way gradually uphill.

Then try to find the 'doggers'.

Ms Thomas added: "These are big, round, moss-covered sandstones which folklore says are marbles that giants threw at each other or even the fossilised tears of the Empress Matilda, who wept in relief when she reached the safety of Oxford nearby!

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"Can you imagine bathing in the pool, as CS Lewis did regularly?

"Leave the reserve by the exit at the top left and turn left onto the path coming up from the by-pass.

"Continue in a straight line along this path until you are forced to go down to the road below and turn left to reach the car park on Shotover Plain."

Ms Thomas said: "Until the end of the 18th century The Plain was the main road to London where you might have fallen victim to highwaymen!

"If you feel energetic, follow one of the way-marked trails over Shotover, then return to The Plain. Then, with your back to the car park, you can walk along the hedge line to your left until you come to a slightly hidden way-marked path on the left, which will take you down, quite steeply, to the park-and-ride, via the playing field you crossed at the start.

"Now you have reached the Thornhill park and ride car park you are back at the the end of the walk."