Nearby Places to Visit
Local places
- Glyme Farm, near Chipping Norton
- Knighton's Copse, Wychwood Forest
- Blindwell Wood alongside Pay Lane, Leafield
- Wychwood Wild Garden, Shipton-under-Wychwood
- Foxholes Nature Reserve, Bruern
- Singe Wood, alongside St John's Lane, White Oak Green
- Stonesfield Common
- Holly Grove & Coneygar Copse, near Wilcote
- North Leigh Common, East End
- Pinsley Wood, Church Hanborough
- Jubilee Fields and Long Meadow, Wootton
- Kirtlington Quarry Nature Reserve, Kirtlington
- Thrupp Community Woodland, Thrupp
- Oxford Meads, Yarnton
- Ducklington Fritillary Meadow, Ducklington
- Witney Lake and Country Park, Witney
- Lower Windrush Valley, Witney
Further Afield
- Sydlings Copse, Beckley
- Otmoor RSPB Reserve, Beckley
- Bernwood Forest, near Horton-cum-Studley
- Bernwood Meadows, near Horton-cum-Studley
- CS Lewis Nature Reserve, Risinghurst, Oxford
- Shotover Country Park, Headington, Oxford
- Brasenose Woods, Headington, Oxford
- Iffley Meadows, Iffley, Oxford
- Chilswell Valley (Happy Valley), South Hinksey, Oxford
- Old Berkeley Golf Course, Boars Hill, Oxford (NEW 2016)
- Wytham Woods, Wytham, near Oxford
- Lashford Lane Fen , near Wootton
- Dry Sandford Pit, Cothill
- Chimney Meadows, near Bampton
- Wittenham Clumps, Little Wittenham
Local Places
Glyme Farm, near Chipping Norton
Shakespeare's Way passes through Glyme Farm from Chipping Norton towards Old Chalford. Glyme Farm is the best site in the County for Meadow Clary and the footpath goes right past the source of the River Glyme. The flowers on the long established south facing limestone grassland are magnificent and attract a wide range of butterflies, yellowhammers sing constantly and ravens fly overhead. Glyme Farm is in Higher Level Stewardship and the whole farm is managed to encourage birdlife with new areas of woodland and specially sown flowery meadows characterised by ox-eye daisies. The footpath crosses the Saltway and continues through the BBOWT Glyme Valley Nature Reserve, it then continues as part of the Wychwood Way through Lidstone and ultimately along the Saltway to the east of Charlbury. (map)
Knighton's Copse, Wychwood Forest
Deciduous woodland awash with bluebells, part of circular walk, and views over the Evenlode. (map)
Blindwell Wood alongside Pay Lane, Leafield
Woodland with bluebells, primroses. (map)
Wychwood Wild Garden, Shipton-under-Wychwood
12.5 acres of avenues, woods and ponds much of which was laid out in the 1860s. (map)
Foxholes Nature Reserve, Bruern
In spring, the woodland floor is vibrant with primroses, violets and early-purple orchids. In May, Foxholes is awash with bluebells, and by summer, the tall spikes of foxgloves are in their full glory. Later in the year, you can enjoy spectacular autumn colours, and Foxhole's fabulous fungi, with over 200 species recorded. Managed by BBOWT. (map)
Singe Wood, alongside St John's Lane, White Oak Green
Woodland with bluebells (map).
Stonesfield Common
Limestone flora, river, swimming by the footbridge, kingfishers, otters, barn owls hunting early evening, roman road, access across river to roman villa. (map) (aerial photo).
Holly Grove & Coneygar Copse, near Wilcote
Woodland with bluebells . During the First World War much of Holly Grove was cut down to provide fuel but was then replanted. Coneygar Copse, which was not affected, retains much older trees. (map)
North Leigh Common, East End
Woodland with primroses, some bluebells, warblers, butterflies, open heathland, regenerating heather, acid grassland, fungi, ponds. Birch trees naturally grow here because of the acid conditions, together with associated fungi like the fly agaric in the photo. Managed by West Oxfordshire District Council. (map)
Pinsley Wood, Church Hanborough
Attractive deciduous woodland surrounding a conifer plantation in the centre, several paths but an easy circular path about 1.5 miles long. Plenty of parking. Take the signed footpath to the left hand side of the pub straight down to the woodland. Magnificent bluebells throughout but the densest patches are on the northern side. (map)
Jubilee Fields and Long Meadow, Wootton
Steep limestone flowery grassland on the banks of the River Glyme, good circular walk with views, managed by local community. (map)
Kirtlington Quarry Nature Reserve, Kirtlington
Extensive limestone grassland in the old quarry and mature woodland alongside the Oxford Canal, an alternative route to Jane's Enchanted Tea Room and Pigeon Lock. (map)
Thrupp Community Woodland, Thrupp
Young deciduous woodland planted by the Forestry Commission in 1990s along the River Cherwell between Thrupp and Kidlington. Particularly good for summer visiting warblers. (map)
Oxford Meads, Yarnton
Oxey Mead, Yarnton Mead, Pixey Mead. Vast ancient flowery hay meadows immediately south of the A40 along the floodplain on both sides of the River Thames. Best time to visit is June before the flowers set seed and the grass is cut in July. Greater burnet, damselflies, burnet moths, butterflies, skylarks, curlews, sedge and reed warblers. (map)
Ducklington Fritillary Meadow, Ducklington
Fritillaries were once widespread in riverside hay meadows that were flooded in winter. Today, fritillaries are limited to just a few sites in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. Our nearest site is the 10 acre SSSI field near St Bartholomew's Church in Ducklington, which is open to the public on Fritillary Sunday at the end of April each year to raise money for local funds. (map)
Witney Lake and Country Park, Witney
Witney Lake and Country Park is accessible from the town centre such as the path from Waitrose car park to Cogges Manor Farm and continues on to the Windrush Path which ultimately will link up to the Thames path at Newbridge.
Lower Windrush Valley, Witney
The Lower Windrush Valley is found to the south east of Witney and is an area that has been extensively modified by mineral extraction over the last 60 years. The project was launched in 2001 and works closely with mineral operators, landowners and the local community to co-ordinate a range of environmental initiatives throughout the valley. Rushy Common and Tar Lakes and Standlake Common have been created and keys can be purchased to access the bird hides on these reserves.
Further Afield
Sydlings Copse, Beckley
Tucked away to the north-east of Oxford and packed into a steep valley, Sydlings Copse is a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts. The diversity of this small nature reserve is quite staggering. Boasting ancient broadleaved woodland, limestone grasslands, reedbed, fen, a stream and rare Oxfordshire heathland, the reserve supports over 400 plant species including a carpet of bluebells. The site is also teeming with birds and insect life; butterflies include the purple hairstreak, brown hairstreak, common blue and marbled white. Managed by BBOWT. (map)
Otmoor RSPB Reserve, Beckley
Restored wetland with extensive reedbeds managed for birdlife, such as lapwings, terns, bitterns. Dawn Chorus walks held early morning during late April and early May. Spectacular display of starlings coming in to roost during the winter. Managed by RSPB. (map)
Bernwood Forest, near Horton-cum-Studley
Bernwood Forest is a large remnant of the larger Bernwood Ancient Royal Hunting Forest, and consists of two large woods, Shabbington and Waterperry. The whole of Bernwood Forest was designated a Forest Nature Reserve in 1981. Shabbington in particular is famous for its butterfly populations and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England. Sunny mornings in July are a good time to visit and sightings are just as likely near the car park in Oakley Wood as walking to the far side. Purple Emperor are seen flying for 6 weeks from last week in June to beginning of August - but they take a siesta in the treetops during hot afternoons. White Admiral, and Silver-Washed Fritillary are also very likely to be seen . Since 1999, the very rare Black Hairstreak has been found in June in the small patch of woodland on the eastern side in the curve of the M40 (the M40 Compensation Area). Managed by the Forestry Commission. (map)
Bernwood Meadows, near Horton-cum-Studley
Bernwood Meadows are a rare survival from yesteryear - traditional hay meadows brimming with wild flowers and insects. From April to July a succession of wild flowers, including Green-Winged Orchids, bring all colours of the spectrum to this reserve. Managed by BBOWT. (map)
CS Lewis Nature Reserve, Risinghurst, Oxford
This tranquil woodland and large pond used to belong to celebrated Oxford author CS Lewis. It was said he enjoyed wandering here while writing his children's book series which includes The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. With the A40 nearby and surrounded by houses, it is a surprise that the reserve has kept its sense of stillness. Managed by BBOWT. (map)
Shotover Country Park, Headington, Oxford
Ancient woodland, flowery meadows, acid heathland, historic roadway. Shotover is managed by Oxford City Council which organises various events . (map)
Brasenose Woods, Headington, Oxford
Western side of Shotover Country Park. Paths pass through attractive deciduous woodland with many fine trees and abundant bird life. The wide 'rides' and hazel coppice in this wood managed by Oxford City Council add visual and wildlife interest. One of the last places nightingales were heard in Oxfordshire. Approach carefully on Oxford eastern ring road (A4142) heading south from A40 junction. Take small turning left to Brasenose Farm about 200m beyond traffic lights at Horspath Driftway/Curry’s Retail Park. (map)
Iffley Meadows, Iffley, Oxford
These wet meadows crossed by old river channels with willow-lined ditches have a rich diversity of wildlife typical of old, unspoilt meadow land. They were once a widespread feature of our river systems, but many have been lost to drainage and farming. Wonderful display of fritillaries every April. Managed by BBOWT. (map)
Chilswell Valley (Happy Valley), South Hinksey, Oxford
Gentle hills overlooking Oxford's dreaming spires. Part of circular walks exploring the hills, woods and villages to the south-west of Oxford. Also gives access to North Hinksey Conduit House which supplied piped water in the 17th century to the Carfax Conduit in central Oxford. (map)
Wytham Woods, Wytham, near Oxford
Wytham Woods are an area of ancient semi-natural woodland to the west of Oxford, UK, owned by the University of Oxford and used for environmental research. Walking permits are available to anyone who wishes to apply. No dogs are allowed. Best bluebells are on the south facing slopes overlooking Farmoor. There are events at Wytham Woods which are open to the public: dawn chorus walks in May, the annual badger survey each May; the annual sleepout in June as part of the RSPB Big Wild Sleepout. (map)
Lashford Lane Fen, near Wootton
This small, but amazingly diverse, wet, shallow valley is a great place to explore all year round. Lashford Lane's wide range of habitats includes reedbeds, limestone grassland, scrub, woodland and fen. Managed by BBOWT. (map)
Dry Sandford Pit, Cothill
Geological wonders, nationally scarce fen and rich insect life make Dry Sandford Pit a nature reserve of national importance. Its extraordinary mosaic of fossil-rich cliffs, limey fenland, ponds, streams, chalk grassland, scrub and woodlands are all bursting with plants and animals, including rare species. The exposed pit cliffs are brilliant for spotting solitary bees and wasps. Good for a wide range of dragonflies. Each summer there are walks with experts to see the wonderful orchids here. Also visit nearby Parsonage Moor Nature Reserve from the same car park. Both reserves are managed by BBOWT. (map)
Chimney Meadows, near Bampton
Once heavily grazed pastures, these meadows on the floodplain of the River Thames are now nationally-important wetlands and home to wading birds. This type of habitat is important for its remarkable diversity of plant-life and as a home to nationally declining wading birds such as curlew, which breed here. Managed by BBOWT. (map)
Wittenham Clumps, Little Wittenham
The nature reserve and Wittenham Clumps are open to all, free of charge, 365 days a year. There is a network of walks with lots to see and do all year round. Pick up the Earth Trust walking leaflet to find out more. Please note the main Earth Trust car park closes at 4pm, the Clumps car park is always open. (map)