• Have we got the Local Flavours Food Guide? - check
• enough reusable bags? - check
• cash? - check
• an appetite? - check

 OK! Let's set off to explore the food trails of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

There are farmers' markets, farm shops, delicatessens and specialist food shops as well as producers who will be happy to meet you and talk about their bread, preserves, vegetables, meat or wine.

Sandra Kessell, a keen local foodie, has created these trails to encourage people to explore the beautiful countryside. Each food trail includes several minitrails that are easy to do by bike, or even on foot depending on where you live.

Just click on the link below to display your trail of interest.  The Cotswold Cycle and Cherwell Cycle trails are specifically designed for keen cyclists and walkers. To obtain a printed copy of the map, use your browser's print menu, which will provide you with a copy of the map, together with the description of each point on the route; depending on your browser, you may need to ensure that the trail is scrolled to the left first, as otherwise the right-hand part of the map may be omitted.  (Do not use Google's own Print facility, just above the map, as this only prints the map, without the route.)

The Cotswolds food trail Variant aimed primarily at cyclists and walkers	Takes you deep into the heart of the north Oxfordshire landscape where you're spoilt for choice with farm shops, a smokery, mustard maker and an award-winning cheesemaker to visit. The rolling hills of the Cotswolds and north Oxfordshire are preserved by the local food producers who farm them. Its honey-coloured buildings and quaint shops add to its charm making it one of the most popular tourist spots in the UK. Allow plenty of time between destinations - the roads are definitely country around here! Taking in some of the best-known and loveliest towns and villages in the Cotswolds, this trail allows you to delight in the scenery of two river valleys, the Evenlode and the Windrush in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you are a cyclist who loves good food this is the trail for you. It has been set out in two parts, the first 17 miles long, the second a further 34 miles, making an entire route of 51 miles for the seasoned cyclist. Not all the producers mentioned open daily and a few open their doors or offer tours by appointment only, so please check before setting out that your planned destinations are open, or expecting your visit on the day of your journey.   Please observe the council's advice about safety and cycle maintenance before you set out.
The Cherwell food trail	Take in some of the famous sights of Cherwell while stopping to sample or buy the foods grown within this historic region. You can literally eat the view! This food trail is aimed primarily at cyclists, but can be completed in a car, or on foot. The entire route, excluding the Ironstone Villages Ride, is about 32 miles. Not all the destinations are open every day, so please check before setting out that your planned destinations are open on the day you are travelling.
The Berkshire and southern Oxfordshire trail	Explores farm shops, a wine estate, orchards and bakeries. This trail uses the M4 corridor and takes in West Berkshire and The Vale of the White Horse as well as a bit of South Oxfordshire. The land that inspired JRR Tolkien's Shire is full of small producers selling at farmers' markets and from their farm gate. Some open seasonally, so bear in mind you may need to ring in advance to arrange your visit.
The Chilterns and Vales trail	You'll be amazed to find gorgeous food shops and restaurants tucked away in the countryside between High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Wheatley. A tour of the BBO Food Group members in the M40 area, with suggestions for tea and coffee, lunch and dinner stops.