Ninth Avenue

Nominations for the Oxford Heritage Asset Register 2025 are Open

 

Nominations for the 2025 Oxford Heritage Asset Register (OHAR) opened for public consultation last week, offering the community a chance to celebrate and protect Oxford's lesser-known yet historically significant sites.

The OHAR initiative, developed in collaboration with Oxford City Council, Historic England, and local communities, aims to recognize the heritage assets that enrich the city’s unique identity and cultural landscape.

At Oxford Preservation Trust, we’ve nominated some important sites that we believe should be recognised, including:

  • Henry and Joyce Collins’ Oxford Mural, a striking piece of public art in Temple Cowley.
  • The Kilns (Lewis Close), the historic home of C.S. Lewis.
  • Tumbling Bay Bathing Place, the oldest surviving public bathing place in Oxford.
  • Slade Camp, a WWII army camp turned post-war housing community.

Slade Camp, located in what is now Shotover Country Park, stands as a poignant reminder of Oxford’s wartime and post-war social history. Between 1948 and 1970, it served as temporary housing for displaced families, with many living in converted soldiers' huts. Today, remnants of the camp’s structures remain visible in the woodland, telling a unique story of Oxford’s wartime role.

During Oxford Open Doors 2024, tours of Slade Camp, led by local historians and former residents, offered visitors a glimpse into its history and we’re excited to continue working with the Slade Camp community project in 2025 to preserve its story.

These nominations highlight the richness of Oxford’s heritage past and present. Click the link below to learn more about OHAR and share your thoughts on the nominations.