Explore Oxford’s green heritage
28-30th May 2011
Watch out for Discovering Places 2012!
Oxford Preservation Trust owns over 800 acres of land in and around the city including water meadows, woods and pasture all of which contribute to Oxford’s special character. Public enjoyment and access lie at the heart of our work, whether watching for wildlife at one of our family discovery days, following the Thames Path through our land or simply strolling from the park to our pub the Vicky Arms at Marston.
OPT helps to keep Oxford green, for everyone, forever.
See below for details of free walks and events over the bank holiday weekend.
Abingdon to Radley, via Radley Lakes (Oxford Green Belt Way)
Saturday 28th May, 10.am
Walk part of the Oxford Green Belt Way – an enjoyable and informative 7-mile circular walk through Thames Valley water meadows from Abingdon to Radley, via Radley Lakes for a picnic lunch (bring your own picnic). Led by David Godfrey.
From Park to Pub
Saturday 28th May, 10am
A guided walk from the University Parks in the city centre alongside the Cherwell to our riverside pub, The Victoria Arms at Marston. The Victoria Arms is a 19th century pub on the river which the Trust purchased, along with adjacent land and river bank, in 1959.
Victoria Arms to Marston Hamm
Saturday 28th May, 2pm
A guided walk from the Victoria Arms to see OPT’s new Cherwell flood meadows at Marston Hamm with local environmentalist Dr Alison McDonald. A charming after-lunch stroll.
Marston was founded in or beside a marsh which is part of the land now owned by Oxford Preservation Trust. The Trust acquired this land at Marston in 2010/11 and named it Marston Hamm because Hamm is the Saxon name for an area of land between a bend in the river. We are now looking at its future management.
Go Batty! Family fun at Hinksey Meadows
Saturday 28th May, 2-4pm, Hinksey Meadows, Willow Walk, North Hinksey
Come and learn about bats and how they use these beautiful meadows, within walking distance of the city centre. Make a bat mask and go on an insect hunt looking for batty food. You can also make your own bat box to take home!
Evening Bat Walk at Hinksey Meadows
Saturday 28th May, 8.30-10.30pm
Join a local bat expert with a bat detector to watch and hear bat flying over the wet features of the meadows.
Oxford Green Spaces Day & Circular Walk
Sunday 29th May, 10am-4pm
Discover parts of Oxford you never knew existed! Stalls and other activities will be at Oxford’s three Town Greens – Warneford Meadow, (Hill Top Road, behind Southfield Golf Course); The Trap Grounds, (just off Frenchay Road, by the canal) and Oxpens Meadow, (Oxpens Rd near Ice rink). Do the Town Greens Trail, which links these open green spaces across the city.
Family Discovery afternoon at Heyford Meadow Nature Park
Sunday 29th May, 2-4pm
Heyford Meadow is 11 acres of flood meadow, left to the Trust in 2009 and now turned into a nature park for all to enjoy. Entrance via Broadhurst Gardens but please park on Heyford Hill Lane
A Walk in Wolvercote
Sunday 29th May, 2pm
Wolvercote is fortunate to be surrounded by an ancient landscape.
Wolvercote Lakes will be open from 3 – 4;30pm for visitors to enjoy.
Oxford Riverside Walk
Mon. 30 May, 10am
Fact-filled guided walk through or near Oxford Preservation Trust land. Follow the Thames Path from Oxford to Kennington via Iffley and Sandford with Oxford local historian, guide, and writer Mark Davies.
Ascott Park, Stadhampton
Monday 30th May, 11am
A walk of about 2 miles around the site of Ascott Park, which was the once the home of the Dormer family.
Discovering Places has been organised by Oxford Preservation Trust in support of Countryside2011. Countryside2011 is a two-week showcase of rural activities, events and attractions that will give people a new view of the countryside and how to enjoy it. It is organised by the Rural Ways Partnership which is coordinated by Tourism South East. The project is funded via SEEDA. For events happening elsewhere see www.countryside2011.org.uk.
