OXFORD TREE TRAILS
& LOCAL WALKS
Tree trails are self-guided walking routes, intended to highlight notable trees, woodland biodiversity and sometimes include other green spaces or specific points of interest, for example historical or architectural.
Establishing a tree trail is a great way to attract new visitors to local green spaces, enabling communities to experience them in a different way and to learn about their trees.
Envisaged benefits include:
-
Encouraging residents to walk around nearby green spaces, and inspiring new users to get out into these spaces and enjoy the associated health benefits;
-
Enabling volunteer-led accessible tours which will create opportunities for everyone in the local community, and in particular for those potentially experiencing social isolation to come together, meet others and enjoy green spaces;
-
Providing a focal point for children and their families, and generating a useful resource, in the form of the map, activities and certificate, for local schools;
-
Increased ownership and pride in local green spaces as users learn about the trees in the area and are asked to identify the trees which have significance for them;
-
Increased sense of stewardship and more general environmental concern.
On this page we feature three Oxford City trails, created by community groups, for you to download and enjoy. Our hope is that they also inspire others to create their own tree or nature trails. Also included are links to other local walking routes, as well as organised walks for health and well-being.
The Hogacre Common Eco Park Trail
This was the first trail in the series; created by individuals from The Cafe at Hogacre Common Eco Park, with illustration by Lydia Morley.
Download PDF: Hogacre Nature Trail
WEST OXFORD
Editor in Chief
Hogacre Common
This was the first trail in the series; created by individuals from The Cafe at Hogacre Common Eco Park, with illustration by Lydia Morley.
.jpg)
Florence Park
Programming Editor
The Low Carbon West Oxford Tree Trail
In 2017, Low Carbon West Oxford (LCWO) teamed up with designer Lydia Morley to create their very own West Oxford Tree Trail. The project was part of their celebrations to mark a decade of award-winning community-led work, including the planting of 1200 trees!
Past LCWO Chair, Helen Reid has a love of trees and folklore. Thanks to funding from the Doris Field Trust, Helen and Mim put together this special booklet, complete with map, leaves to help you identify the trees as you go, stories, facts, and activities for kids. You can pick up the printed map at a number of locations in West Oxford, or download and print it yourself.
Download PDF: LCWO Tree Trail
Completed the trail? Congratulations! Download your certificate here.
The Florence Park Tree Trail
Third in the series, the Florence Park Tree Trail was launched in 2019, thanks to funding from Oxford City Council’s Green Neighbourhood Grant Scheme. Printed maps are available at a number of locations around Florence Park, or download and print your own.
Download PDF: Florence Park Tree Trail and 2025 update
Other Local Trails and Walks
The SIREN Talking Tree Trail and Nature Trail Map at Hinksey Heights: signs at the base of trees in Hinksey Heights Oxford guide the walker through an imaginative and informative guide to the woodland there.
Headington Hill Park Tree Trail by Friends of Headington Hill Park: starts at the St Clements entrance and travels clockwise around the park with descriptions of over 100 trees.
Cutteslowe Park Woodland Trail: a 1.6 km circular walk through the community woodland, encouraging exploration of the woods and their biodiversity.
Street Trees of Oxford: tree trail by Sarah Robinson from 2016, covering a 2km distance in the city of Oxford.
Spindleberry Nature Park sculpture walk: walk the sculpture trail and see how many friends you can see.
Oxford Canal Heritage Trail: this 5 km trail along the canal showcases places of interest along the towpath.
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford Wildlife Trust’s Wild Walks in Oxfordshire: circular routes taking you through at least one BBOWT nature reserve as well as the surrounding countryside.
Green Health Routes developed by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare: maps often starting at community venues and joining the dots between green spaces in Botley, Wood Farm, East Oxford, Marston and Jericho.
Thematic Trails, Oxford City: trails around the city on themes of history, architecture and art, green Oxford and waterways, and people and personalities.
Walks in Oxford (created by Oxford Civic Society, Oxford Pedestrians Association and the Oxford group of the Ramblers) includes listings of self-guided walks of varying lengths and on various themes, including countryside and waterways.
Treasure Trails: self-guided themed treasure hunts for children and adults, including a University Parks, City and Meadows or Jericho and Canal trail (charges apply).
Health walks: free group walks at various locations around Oxford City led by qualified walk leaders and suitable for all fitness levels.
Nature Recovery Support
We have worked with nature recovery organisations accross Oxfordshire to develop a directory of support for groups, organisations, businesses and individuals to see where they get support for their nature recovery ideas and projects. Click the button below to go to our dedicated Nature Recovery Support page.