Oxford Canal Walk - Not The Terminus?
Part of my series of caches from the terminus of the canal up to Kidlington.
If you wish to do the whole set I suggest parking at either Stratfield Brake or Oxford Parkway P&R or Parkway Station. Then depending on which direction you want to walk either hop on the train or Bus into Oxford City Centre and follow the trail starting with GCBJD99 Oxford Canal Walk - Not The Terminus
You can then pick up caches as you go north ending with GCBQQ43 Trolls Treasure (not one of mine) before you walk back to Stratfield Brake or Oxford Parkway P&R or Parkway Station.
Alternatively you can do them in the oppsoite direction.
There are several places just off the canal to get Food and Drink
Note Parking is chargeable at the P&R & Railway station.
If doing the series i suggest parking at Oxford Parkway P&R and getting Bus or train into Oxford City then walk the series back out
Although this is the current terminus of the Oxford Canal, originally it was not. When the Canal originally reached Oxford in 1790 the canal originally went under Hythe Bridge street to wharves where the car park and Nuffield College now are and a flash lock to link it to the River Thames. Isis lock was built as a broad lock in 1797 to allow easier access to the Jerico Wharves and the Thames. It was subsequently rebuilt as a narrow lock in 1844
The wharves in Worcester street car park and Nuffield College were used until the canals slow decline and in the 20th century the wharves were bought by Lord Nuffield and the College built circa 1950. The basin was leased to Oxford City Council, filled in and used as the car park
On satellite maps the end of the canal can still be seen as a rectangular fish pond in Nuffield College Quad.
Over the years there has been calls to close the car park, dig out the basin and improve the area esecially now the "West End" regeneration project is underway at last. Time will tell but having a thriving basin at the end of the canal with facilities, shops & pubs would be a positive addition to the area.
To commerate the 200th anniversary of the canal an art installtion showcasing lock beams and a commerative plaque were unveiled next to the current terminus by the then Lord Mayor of Oxford Councillor John Power on 29th September 1993
To find out more about the heritage of the area including a downloadible map and a aufio guide visit Oxford Canal Heritage Trail
As always, whilst the towpath is well surfaced please be careful near the water edge and keep all children under close supervision. Keep dogs on a lead due to the number of cycles and pedestrians who use this popular path to reach the city center and Jerico.
If flood warnings are in place please exercise caution as the adjacent Castle Mill stream and Thames can be both fast flowing and deep, although the canal towpath itself rarely floods.
Cache is a magnetic Nano - high muggle area
Congratulations FTF - Beechtrees