Cornbury New Year’s Day

Fri 26 Dec 2025, 14:46 (last edited on Fri 26 Dec 2025, 20:34)

Tony is correct, I too believe there is no formal obligation for the Park to open to walkers on New Year’s Day, although I hope the tradition will continue 

What Christine is probably referring to is the Permit to Walk scheme

https://www.cornburypark.co.uk/permit-entry-scheme.html

Fri 26 Dec 2025, 11:52 (last edited on Fri 26 Dec 2025, 11:53)

I don’t think the Estate is actually ‘Obliged’ to open the Park on New Years Day. Lord Rotherwick first did so for the Millenium and the practice has continued since then.

When I inquired after a few years on behalf of Charlbury Society walkers whether the park would be open for NYD  his then Secretary remarked that she thought the practice could by then be ‘regarded as a tradition’. 

I think we can now assume the ‘tradition’ is even more established but the invitation has always only been issued close to the day.

Tue 23 Dec 2025, 18:43

Much appreciated, thank you Christine.

Tue 23 Dec 2025, 13:06

I think Cornbury Estate is obliged to open to the residents of Charlbury on New Year's Day, although the permitted paths and access have varied over time. 

This is what was said last year on the Cornbury website: 

"Residents of Charlbury are welcome to walk in the Deer Park at Cornbury on New Year's Day between 9am and 4pm.

Access is via the main North Lodge entrance. Walkers are requested not to park on the drive at North Lodge and to remain within the boundaries of the Park. Please keep to the roads and hard tracks at all times.

Sorry but dogs, even those well behaved and on leads are not allowed in the park as they upset the deer."

North Lodge is the entrance off Grammar School Hill, further on from Charlbury Pre-School. Cornbury is generally late in updating the details on their website, so the same question is asked on this charlbury.info most years.

The details should in time be updated on www.cornburypark.co.uk/new-years-day-walk.html 

Tue 23 Dec 2025, 10:24

Does anyone know if Cornbury Park is open this year on NYD? (I’ve emailed CP but no reply to date )