Map of the River Thames stream system in West Oxford
Port
Meadow details ....
.... or aerial photo only
Fiddler's Island
The quaintly-named Fiddler's Island, once part of the common lands of Port Meadow and Wolvercote Common, is no longer grazed. It has developed a tall riparian vegetation of willowherb and reeds in which birds, mammals and other wildlife can take refuge.
This long thin island, which runs to the east of and parallel to the main Thames stream south of Binsey, can be viewed from the river towpath or from the willow-lined path which runs around the southern edge of Port Meadow. Grebes, coots, moorhens and swans nest along the island's banks: you may also see kingfishers and wildfowl, and hear warblers and other songbirds.
Binsey Green
Binsey Green is that long narrow strip of land which runs north from Binsey village along the west the side of the Thames almost as far as Godstow Lock. From the towpath there are fine views east across the river and Port Meadow towards the City, while adjacent to the path on the west is a furrow field which blooms with buttercups in June.
Along the river bank itself is a line of magnificent (and famous) poplar trees, planted over a century ago and now reaching the end of their natural lives. Replacement trees have been planted over the last 15 years, but these trees are different from their predecessors, which were native Black poplars and now quite rare in this country.
Binsey Green is a popular stretch of the river for fishing for anglers, both human and avian – the avian anglers include herons, kingfishers, terns, grebes and even the occasional cormorant or goosander.
Grandpont Park
Raleigh Park
Raleigh Park was given to the City of Oxford in 1935 by Colonel ffennel who also purchased Wytham Wood and later gave it to the University. The 12 ha of woods and marsh and grassland is a great place to explore.
Near the top of the valley which runs down the middle of the park is a pond which in March is filled with croaking frogs laying their spawn. The wetter areas of the park are dominated by Mares Tail, a primitive plant, the tree like ancestors of which provided food for dinosaurs.
The grassland is home to some attractive wildflowers, Common Spotted Orchid, Rest Harrow and the parasitic Yellow Rattle. In summer the park is grazed by cattle who help to manage the grassland and preserve the balance between the wooded and more open areas. Roe Deer are frequent visitors to the park but are very shy and retiring.
From the top of the park a fine view can be had over the dreaming spires across to Shotover Hill.
Chilswell Valley
Hinksey Park