Simons' Land, Oxford Preservation Trust
Heyford Hill Ln, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 4YH
Rating: 4.6 ★ (16 ratings)
Details
Simons' Land, Oxford Preservation Trust provides a serene half-acre haven nestled along the banks of the River Thames in South Oxford, situated between Kennington and Littlemore. This unique urban-fringe landscape, generously gifted to the Oxford Preservation Trust in 2007, was once a private garden for a boat mooring, now transformed into a flourishing wildlife garden for everyone to enjoy. It offers a tranquil escape with a distinctly natural character, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the peaceful atmosphere and appreciate the preserved indigenous flora and fauna. The site stands out as a commitment to maintaining natural beauty and public access to the historic waterway in the heart of Oxfordshire.
Visitors can explore the land via a thoughtfully constructed boardwalk, which meanders from the garden's upper reaches right down to the river itself. An interpretation panel and a comfortable seat are provided, inviting contemplation and offering picturesque vistas across the Thames to the Oxford Preservation Trust's river meadows at Kennington. Conservation efforts by the Oxford Preservation Trust and Oxford Conservation Volunteers continually work to enhance the ecological balance of the site, ensuring it remains a vital habitat for local wildlife. While the land can be quite marshy in winter, it presents a varied and engaging natural experience throughout the seasons.
This accessible riverside spot is ideally suited for nature enthusiasts, those seeking a quiet retreat for a leisurely stroll, or anyone wishing to connect with Oxford's natural landscape. It works wonderfully for short, reflective visits and offers splendid opportunities to observe local wildlife and appreciate the scenic river environment. The overall appeal lies in its dedication to preserving native habitats and offering public enjoyment of the Thames in a peaceful, natural setting.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: Open 24 hours | Tuesday: Open 24 hours | Wednesday: Open 24 hours | Thursday: Open 24 hours | Friday: Open 24 hours | Saturday: Open 24 hours | Sunday: Open 24 hours
Comments
The greenery and the strong blue of the river were so beautiful it felt like I’d been smacked in the face.
The entrance to the site also happens to be its highest point which seems to make it easy to appreciate the site in its entirety whilst underlining just how small it is. Simons Land is tiny, just half an acre.
North Hinksey Nature reserve is roughly the same size as Simons Land but its trees, bushes and orchard mean that visitors can’t see the whole site in one go. They have to walk through it to find out where its boundaries are and discover its main features.
Simons Land has a wooden walkway that weaves its way down to the river - very much like the one at Lye Valley nature reserve although the latter seems to be made of plastic imitation wood. The walkway makes it possible for visitors to avoid having to wade through the site’s boggy patches. They can take a leisurely amble down to the river without worrying about getting mud on their shoes and clothes let alone sinking into the mire. The walkway probably seems bigger than it is because of the smallness of the site.
There’s a wooden park bench at the top of the site and another at the bottom. By the river bank there’s a wicker style fence. The noticeboard calls them hazel screens allowing visitors to watch wildlife without disturbing what they are doing.
It would be easy spending a long time enjoying this site. The more time visitors spend here the more they could focus on and enjoy its many features. It may be a small site but this is more than compensated for by its beauty. But, even in such a paradise, electricity pylons and their multiple cables can be seen on the other aside of the river. These may even be the ones from Botley mentioned in the review of North Hinksey?
The noticeboard informs visitors that the Oxford Preservation Trust was, “Founded in 1927 to save the dreaming spires view, we now own over 900 acres in and around Oxford.” Oxford city council proclaims that it manages 800 acres of the city’s greenery - although it is not known how much of this the council actually owns.
The OPT deserves a lot of praise for diversifying from its original objective and for the work it has done on this site.