# National Cycle Route 544

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The **National Cycle Route 544** is a [Sustrans](/source/Sustrans) regional route in the [North Wessex Downs](/source/North_Wessex_Downs) of southern [Oxfordshire](/source/Oxfordshire), linking [Wantage](/source/Wantage) and [Didcot](/source/Didcot). The route is 12 miles (19 km) long, and overlaps with part of the ancient [Icknield Way](/source/Icknield_Way) and frequently links to [The Ridgeway](/source/The_Ridgeway) National Trail.[1]

## Route

The starts in the east of Didcot and passes between [East](/source/East_Hagbourne) and [West Hagbourne](/source/West_Hagbourne) as a traffic-free bridle-way and track, partly using a disused railway embankment.[1] The path continues through [Upton](/source/Upton,_Vale_of_White_Horse), merging with the Icknield Way as it continues west, behind [Harwell](/source/Harwell,_Oxfordshire) and [East Hendred](/source/East_Hendred), through the [Harwell Science and Innovation Campus](/source/Harwell_Science_and_Innovation_Campus). The route then follows a quiet country lane through the [Lockinge Estate](/source/Lockinge_Estate), including [East](/source/East_Ginge) and [West Ginge](/source/West_Ginge), and [East](/source/East_Lockinge) and [West Lockinge](/source/West_Lockinge). The route finishes in Wantage near [Letcombe Brook](/source/Letcombe_Brook).

The route is frequently used by commuters between Wantage, Didcot and the Harwell research centre. There is an art trail between Didcot and Upton.[2]

## Changes

In 2020, Chilton Road was closed to motorised traffic. In 2022, the change was made permanent. The change created a traffic-free stretch west of Upton.[3]

## References

1. ["Didcot, Wantage and The Ridgeway"](https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/didcot-wantage-and-the-ridgeway). *Sustrans.org.uk*. Sustrans. Retrieved 28 October 2017.

1. ["Didcot to Upton Art Trail"](https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/themed-routes/didcot-upton). *Sustrans.org.uk*. Sustrans. Retrieved 28 October 2017.

1. ["Work begins on improving cycling and walking route in Upton"](https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/news/work-begins-on-improving-cycling-and-walking-route-in-upton/). *Sustrans*. Retrieved 2024-12-19.

## External links

- [Sustrans.org.uk Route 544](https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-544)
- [Vale of the White Horse District Council: Cycling in the Vale](http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/sports-and-leisure/getting-active/cycling-vale)
- [Southern Oxfordshire cycling](http://www.southernoxfordshire.com/cycling.php)
- [Harbug.org.uk Didcot to Wantage cycle map PDF](http://www.harbug.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Didcot_Wantage.pdf)
- [GPS Cycle and Walking Routes: Didcot to Wantage](http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksCycle/didcot-to-wantage-cycle-route)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [National Cycle Route 544](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cycle_Route_544) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cycle_Route_544?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.