Travel Tips

The river Thames, or Isis as this part of the Thames is called locally, offers endless opportunities for walks along its banks. If you start at Folly Bridge, which is quite close to Christ Church, you can walk towards the railway bridge or in the opposite direction, past the pub towards the university Boat Houses. On the way you may meet some colourful and often beautifully decorated narrowboats of holidaymakers who have sometimes travelled from as far as Liverpool. Wave to them and they will wave back.

If you walk towards the railway bridge, you will see a pretty wild park on your left and pass a few bridges that you can climb to get a better view of the river. The path goes underneath those and is a cyclists' paradise - no cars or fumes, hardly any walkers except at weekends. You may encounter a few anglers but that's all, only the waterfowl and nature.

Walking in the opposite direction from Folly Bridge towards the Boat Houses you must pass the pub and enter Christ Church Meadow through a gate (see my warning tips). If you walk on to a small bridge, you will get a lovely, if a bit distant, view of Oxford spires. If you are on your bike, however, you will have to take the path on the other side of the river as cycling is not allowed in Christ Church Meadow.

On the river near the boat houses you may see Oxford university teams practising.

If you haven't had enough, take a trip by boat to Abingdon. I am sure you will find it not only relaxing but interesting as well.
If you like birdwatching, it is definitely something for you: all kinds of ducks, grebes, swans and even an occasional heron are all waiting to be seen and often ....fed. The view of a beautifully decorated pub on the way only adds to your pleasure.

On the way you pass two or three locks and an interesting little island with a bridge, which looks as if it had been specially built for anglers or punters. It may be a part of some structure from the past , but it certainly looks picturesque.

Get off the boat at Iffley Lock on your way back if you want to see the charming Norman church with the beautiful stained-glass window of animals greeting the birth of Christ. You may then return to Oxford by bus.