Botanic Garden & Harcourt Arboretum (18th century) Oxford Established in 1621, the Garden is the third oldest scientific garden in the World (oldest in the UK) and contains over 8, 000 different plant species. The Garden consists of three sections: Within the Walled Garden plants are grouped in a number of different ways such as by country of origin, botanic family or economic use. The Glasshouses contain plants that need protection from the extremes of the British weather.The area outside the Walled Garden contains classic garden features such as a Water Garden and Rock Garden as well as the innovative Black Border and Autumn Borders. http://www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk/Garden/gardenintro.html
	Brook Cottage Gardens Alkerton Four acre hillside garden, many different features and unusual plants. http://www.banburytown.co.uk/guide/
	Burgess Field Oxford The 35 hectares of Burgess Field near Port Meadow was once a refuse tip but has now been reclaimed and set aside as a nature park. Although very new, it is already rich in wildlife. Thanks to the many types of soil used to cap the tip, there are large variety of plants and wild flowers. Long grass shelters populations of mice and voles, the perfect prey for owls and kestrels. In the shorter grass green woodpeckers forage for insects, and in spring the air is filled with the song of skylarks. Since 1986 several small copses have been planted and more recently hedges which when they mature will provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Burgess Field and Port Meadow together offer 500 acres of wild open space within Oxford for you to enjoy . http://www.visitoxford.org/oxford/leisurelist.nsf/
	Burton Dassett Country Park Avon Dassett Old iron ore workings in a country park on hilltop site with magnificent views, play area for children
	Christchurch Meadow Oxford Still grazed by cattle, the Meadow is held in trust by Christ Church as a pocket of green countryside which provides rural walkways in the heart of the city. From the main entrance via the War Memorial Gardens in St Aldate's, paths skirt the Meadow in different directions. Dead Man's Walk follows the wall of Merton College to the Botanic Garden in Rose Lane, whilst another path follows a secluded route along the banks of the Thames and Cherwell. http://www.visitoxford.org
	Cotswold Wildlife Park Burford Cotswold Wildlife Park is set in 160 acres of parkland and gardens around a listed Victorian Manor House and has been open to the public since 1970. The Park is home to a fascinating and varied collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates, from Ants to White Rhinos and Bats to big Cats. http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/
	Edgehill Country Park Edgehill Woodland and meadow setting with dramatic views over battle site. http://www.banburytown.co.uk/guide/
	Faringdon Folly (20th century) Faringdon Faringdon Folly is a 100ft tower nestling under the Scottish fir-capped summit of Faringdon Hill. The hill, half a mile east of Faringdon, offers impressive views over the Thames Valley and the Berkshire Downs. The folly was erected in the 1930s, and later used as an observation post during the Second World War. Restored and reopened in 1982, it is now a familiar local landmark and popular tourist attraction. http://www.oxfordshire360.co.uk/newsite/tour.asp?ipix=1&c=tour&ID=42
	Grandpont Park (20th century) Oxford The 3 hectares of Grandpont were once the site of the former gas works which were demolished in 1960, the only visible remnant of which is the ornamental rail bridge which was used to carry coal from the main line across the Thames to the furnaces. The area was re-landscaped in 1985 by planting trees and sowing wildflower seed to create a patchwork of shrubberies and hay meadows. The park has matured into an attractive setting for a lunch break and a haven for wildlife - a stone's throw from the City centre. Look out for the Green Woodpeckers which like to forage for insects in the short turf created by the abundant rabbits. In spring cowslips flower along the edges of some of the paths and later in the summer look out for the tall pink spikes of Sainfoin near the main entrance. On the South side there is a football pitch, a basketball court and kick-about goals http://www.visitoxford.org/oxford/leisurelist.nsf
	Iffley Triangle Nature Reserve Oxford The meadows at Iffley stretch for over a Kilometre from Donnington Bridge to South of the Bypass and are most famous for the Snakes Head Fritillaries which bloom in their thousands. Your best chance of seeing these flowers is in the middle of April. Take the path from Iffley Church down to the lock, once you have crossed the river turn left, walk south for 50 metres and enter the meadows at the first entrance on your right. Cross the first large meadow on the permissive path and enter a smaller field where you will see a magnificent natural floral display of these sinister looking flowers. Also look out for yellow King Cups and Cuckoo Flowers which open at the same time of year. http://www.visitoxford.org/oxford/leisurelist.nsf/
	Little Wittenham Nature Reserve Little Wittenham The Nature Reserve consists of the locally well-known Wittenham Clumps and Little Wittenham Woods. Managed by the Northmoor Trust, this area is dedicated to conservation and rich in wildlife - from funghi, Comfrey and teasel to butterflies and birds (a 120 bird species have been counted). Wittenham Clumps comprise of Round Hill and Castle Hill, forming one of the most significant landmarks in the area and are visible for many miles in all directions. Both hills are crowned with small beech woodlands locally called "Clumps".
	Oxford University Parks (19th century) Oxford The University Parks consist of about 70 acres (30 hectares) of parkland on the West bank of the River Cherwell, together with a 4 acre (1.5 hectare) spur of land running towards the South. The Parks include sports areas and a large collection of plants and trees in landscaped suroundings. http://www.parks.ox.ac.uk/
	Port Meadow Oxford When visit "Oxford's oldest monument" you are looking at a landscape that has changed little since prehistoric times. Bronze Age people buried their dead here and during the Iron Age people lived on the meadow during the summer and grazed their livestock on the rich pasture. These burials and settlements are well preserved and clearly visible from the air or in some cases on the ground as shallow circular ditches and banks. http://www.visitoxford.org/oxford/leisurelist.nsf/
	Ridgeway Trail Uffington For thousands of years, at least 5,000 and maybe many more, people, be they drovers, traders or invaders, have walked or ridden The Ridgeway. As part of a prehistoric track, once stretching about 400 km from the Dorset coast to the Wash on the Norfolk coast, it provided a route over the high ground for travellers which was less wooded and drier than routes through the springline villages below. Hill forts which The Ridgeway passes west of the Thames are: Barbury Castle, Liddington Castle, Uffington Castle, and Segsbury Camp. East of the Thames they are: Pulpit Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon. http://www.uffington.net/museum
	Rousham House/Garden (17th century) Steeple Aston, Banbury Uncommercialised 17th century house, with art collection, fine dovecote and rare William Kent landscaped gardens. The gardens at Rousham Park are unique. They are the only gardens designed by William Kent that remain - nearly 300 years later - much as he planned them. http://www.rousham.org/
	Shotover Country Park Oxford On the eastern fringes of Oxford, Shotover Country Park is a whole hillside of hidden valleys, sudden views and varied habitats which are freely accessible all the year round. This beautiful and historic country park covers most of the 100ha of land between Shotover Plain and the Eastern Bypass and falls into two main parts, the southern slopes of Shotover Hill and the flat predominantly wooded land near the bypass. http://www.visitoxford.org/oxford/leisurelist.nsf/
	Stowe School Landscape Gardens (18th century) Buckingham One of the first and finest landscape gardens Europe, located only 2 miles from the centre of Buckingham and now managed by the National Trust. You can wander through Stowe's green valleys and vistas which are set with lakes, monuments and temples or take the intellectual challenge set by its 18th Century creators to find the political and classical meaning behind each elegant temple and statue. One of the finest Georgian landscape gardens, made up of valleys and vistas, narrow lakes and rivers with more than 30 temples and monuments designed by many of the leading architects of the 18th century. At the centre is Stowe House (not NT), occupied by Stowe School, and all around is Stowe Park. This was formerly the home of the Dukes of Buckingham. http://www.churchwell.co.uk/stowe-school.htm
	Waterfowl Sanctuary & Childrens' Farm Wigginton Heath Home to over 2000 birds and animals. Children can handle chicks under supervision. http://www.banburytown.co.uk/guide/