Hinksey Park
Abingdon Road, Oxford, OX1 4PZ, GB
Rating: 4.5 ★ (894 ratings)
Details
Avenues of Giant Redwood and Pine trees frame Hinksey Park, a Green Flag award-winning expanse just a fifteen-minute walk or a short cycle from Oxford's city centre. This green and watery haven, originally laid out in the 1930s on the site of the former Oxford Waterworks, offers a picturesque setting for picnics, play, and relaxation. The park's large, serene lake is a focal point, home to waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. Walking paths meander around the lake, providing peaceful strolls, while open grass areas are perfect for games or simply soaking up the sun. For those seeking an active visit, free-to-use hard tennis courts can be booked online, and table tennis is also available.
Beyond its tranquil green spaces, Hinksey Park buzzes with activities for all ages. The heated outdoor swimming pool, a cherished local feature since 1936 and one of the largest in the south of England, operates seasonally from April to September and includes a beach-like graduated entry perfect for toddlers and wheelchair users. Adjacent to the pool, a recently revamped splash park with fountains and jets offers free watery fun for children throughout the summer, complemented by a year-round mini wheels track for bikes and scooters. The park also boasts a large play area with a sandpit, a sports field, and even facilities for model boating, sculling, and fishing (permits required). Historically part of South Hinksey, the park reflects the growth of the Oxford community and serves as a vibrant hub for outdoor life.
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
Contact
+44 1865 249811
Comments
remembered the fantastic row of giant redwoods by the tennis courts. They’re so splendid I couldn’t resist taking some photos of them.
I’d forgotten about (or, in the past, never even noticed) that besides this row of redwoods there were also a couple of them standing by themselves close to the Devil’s Backbone footpath.
Once again, I couldn’t resist taking some photos of them which lured me back to the row of redwoods by the tennis courts. I took some more photo of them from the other side of the lake than was the case with the first lot of photos.
The ducks are so tame they completely ignored me taking photos.