Plan your visit
Getting here
51.76166, -1.25305
About THE UNIVERSITY PARKS, OXFORD
The Oxford University Parks, commonly referred to locally as the University Parks, or just The Parks, is a large parkland area slightly northeast of the city centre in Oxford, England. The park is bounded to the east by the River Cherwell, though a small plot of land called Mesopotamia sits between the upper and lower levels of the river. To the north of the parks are Norham Gardens and Lady Margaret Hall, to the west the Parks Road, and the Science Area on South Parks Road to the south.
Read more on Wikipedia →Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🐦51+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Magpie
- ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- 🐦51+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Magpie
- ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
Good to know
- 🐕Dogs welcome
Best for
Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Robin +48 more · last seen 2026; Lowland fens — specialist fen birds and passage waders
Wildlife
Strong match
Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Robin +48 more · last seen 2026; Lowland fens priority habitat
Heritage
Strong match
Historic site with public access
Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Willow Emerald Damselfly, Common Darter, Migrant Hawker +86 more · last seen 2026; Lowland fens — fen dragonflies and rare invertebrates
Family friendly
Good match
toilets
Cycling
Good match
Named cycling route nearby: NCN 51
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶Walking
21 signed routes nearby · 54 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Walking
Oxford Green Belt WayWalking route87 km
Oxfordshire WayWalking route110 km
a traverse of Oxfordshire from the Cotswolds to the Chilterns
Boundary PatrolWalking route
Sandpit WalkWalking route
Northwood TrailWalking route
Lamb and Flag Passagepublic footpath · 76 m
Kings Mill Lanepublic footpath · 28 m
Edgeway Roadpublic footpath · 5 m
🚴Cycling
145 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 5Cycling route
Cotswold Line Cycle Route (under development)Cycling route
Route 8Cycling route
Route 8aCycling route
Route 9Cycling route
Route 3aCycling route
Wildlife to spot
Photos
Weather for this location
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Nearby places
Useful places within 5 km
