Court Place Gardens is managed as a green space for the public, with the aim of providing a source of education to the local community, and investigating ways to enhance its habitats and nature value. 

The map shows the permissive footpath through the woodland at Court Place Gardens. The main entrance to the gardens is via Rivermead Nature Park, with an explanatory board providing details about the flora, fauna and wildlife. Please come and enjoy this beautiful green space open all year round. If you're an academic looking to undertake research, please get in touch at: oge@admin.ox.ac.uk.

Woodland Management Plan

The woodland at Court Place Gardens is less than a century old. Some of the larger trees were planted for landscape reasons within the garden of the Mansion House. A 10-year Woodland Management Plan has been approved by the Forestry Commission, with objectives to:

• create a biodiverse woodland with a varied structure; 
• maintain and enhance the current diversity of tree species present in the woodland; 
• create a network of paths to enable the local residents to enjoy the woodland; 
• maintain the integrity of the woodlands in the local landscape. 

Alkaline Fen

Calcium rich waters emerge from spring lines throughout the site. These are a relatively rare local phenomena. Similar spring lines and associated species are found nearby at the Lye Valley and Hinksey Heights. A restored fen can be found next door at Rivermead Nature Park.

Wildlife

The woodland is probably less than a hundred years old. The area was formerly meadows and then an Ornamental Garden. There are no notable species but in all probability the larger trees are home to local bat species. There are signs of a local badger sett. The woodland flora and fauna though are constantly evolving. In terms of woodland development, ecologically speaking, a century is a relatively small period of time.

Chronolog posts

Court Place Gardens 1 at University of Oxford - Oxford Green Estate | Chronolog: First bridge cleared area
Court Place Gardens 2 at University of Oxford - Oxford Green Estate | Chronolog: Felled trees along the river bank
Court Place Gardens 3 at University of Oxford - Oxford Green Estate | Chronolog: Bamboo patch

Access map

Image

Entry is via the pedestrian gate on Rivermead Road. You will initially enter Rivermead Nature Park that opens out on the left. Follow the path straight down and turn Right before the river bank, towards the bridge into Court Place Gardens.