This route promises a breath of fresh air through University Parks, Mesopotamia Walk, Oxford Botanic Gardens, and Christ Church Meadow Walk. Enjoy the sites and sounds of nature whether it’s winter, summer, or spring.
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Route overview
Christ Church is one of Oxford University’s colleges. It is most well-known as a filming location for movies such as Harry Potter, Golden Compass, and X-Men: First Class. As of 2022, Christ Church had the largest financial endowment of any Oxford College, at £770 million. Here are some fun facts: Tom Tower chimes 101 times every evening at 9:05 p.m. to remember the first 101 students at the college. It is rumoured that the Koi fish in the pond in the middle of Tom Quad were gifted by the Japanese Prime Minister. The cathedral is one of the smallest in England.
Christ Church College
Leaving the college, turn right up St. Aldate’s, then right into High Street. Turn left onto Turl Street.
Part 1 of the 7.5km Nature Walk in Oxford
After 240 metres, turn right onto Broad Street. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Parks Road.
Part 2 of the 7.5km Nature Walk in Oxford
In roughly 900 metres, turn right onto North Walk into the University Parks. North Walk becomes Lazenbee’s Ground Walk and goes around a large body of water, then along the River Cherwell, passing the J.R.R. Tolkien Bench.
Part 3 of the 7.5km Nature Walk
University Parks is open almost every day until dusk, except Christmas Eve. This park is the top choice of locals for picnics, casual sports games, and even a game of Quidditch played by Harry Potter fans. You can visit their website here if you’d like to learn more about the park or their public events.
University Parks. Credit: The Oxford Magazine
The J.R.R. Tolkien Bench was placed here in 1992 to commemorate the centennial of Tolkien’s birth. On either side of the bench is a silver maple and false acacia, representing Telperion and Laurelin, respectively, from The Silmarillion. Unfortunately, the tree symbolising Laurelin was damaged; hence, it is much smaller than Telperion. A second false acacia was planted but, sadly, was overcome with disease and had to be removed.
Tolkien Bench. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Continue along the pathway closest to the river, then turn left onto the Marston Cyclepath. Just before the next bridge, turn right. At the next bridge, turn left, then right onto the Mesopotamia Walk.
Part 4 of the 7.5km Nature Walk in Oxford
The Mesopotamia Walk is part of the River Cherwell, which has the Parson’s Pleasure Bathing Place. This was a secluded place for male-only nude bathing and was closed in 1991. “Parson’s Pleasure Ale” is a barley wine created in 1996 by a local brewery commissioned by the Oxford University Beer Appreciation Society. Additionally, Parson’s Pleasure Surprise Maximus is a bell-ringing technique used for the first time in 2010 by a group of ringers made up of former Oxford University students. At least nearby, there was a bathing area for clothed females called “Dame’s Delight” from 1934 to 1970.
Parson’s Pleasure Bath. Credit: Where Thames Smooth Waters Glide
The Mesopotamia Walk curves to the left and becomes King’s Mill Lane. When you reach the main road, turn right onto Marston Road.
Part 5 of the 7.5km Nature Walk in Oxford
When you reach the intersection with Marston Road, Cherwell Street, and Headington Road (where it becomes London Place), turn right into London Place. London Place becomes St Clement’s Street, and then after the roundabout, keep right onto Magdalen Bridge Road. In 270 metres, turn left into Rose Lane, where you will pass the Oxford Botanic Garden.
Part 6 of the 7.5km Nature Walk in Oxford
Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in the UK, founded in 1621, and has over 5000 different species. Although the garden is not part of this route, it is still worth a visit. You can find out more here.
Oxford Botanic Garden with frost. Credit: Tejvan Pettinger
Continue down Rose Lane for 170 metres, then turn slightly left into Christ Church Meadow Walk. Walk straight to reach the path that follows along the River Cherwell.
Part 7 of the 7.5km Nature Walk in Oxford
The Christ Church Meadow Walk is beautiful in any season—mist, sunshine, or snow. You may notice a herd of cattle; these are pedigree Old English Longhorn Cattle. The fields are managed without chemicals or fertilisers and through low-intensity grazing, thus maintaining a healthy ecology. If you want to complete this meadow trail again and find out more, you can download a PDF guide here. The Meadows are open during daylight hours daily except 25 December.
Christ Church Meadow Walk. Credit: Bilal Yassine
Continue following the path closest to the River Cherwell, then the River Thames. You can either turn right up the Poplar Walk or continue along the Christ Church Meadow Walk pathway. Both of these paths will reach Broad Walk. Turn left, then right, to get back to Christ Church.
Part 8 of the 7.5km Nature Walk in Oxford
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Resources:
This route was curated in collaboration with the Headington Road Runners.
If you enjoyed this route, see our 3km Yesteryear walk.
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