Christ Church Meadow (Oxford)

Christ Church Meadow is one of the two green spaces near the centre of Oxford open to the public, the other being the Parks: the University owns both.

In all honesty neither are what you would call tourist attractions and the only reason I am writing about it at all is because Ciao have listed it under gardens to visit. However, if you are visiting Oxford it provides a pleasant escape from the traffic and bustle of the city centre, ...
...There are several entrances to Christ Church Meadows: from St. Aldates through the war memorial garden with its colourful herbaceous border, from cobbled Merton St., or from the top of High St., opposite Magdalen college via Rose Lane.

Whichever entrance you choose you will be greeted by a set of rules which make the byelaws of the University Parks pale into insignificance:

“The meadow keepers and constables are ... more

Christ Church Meadow is one of the two green spaces near the centre of Oxford open to the public, the other being the Parks: the University owns both.

In all honesty neither are what you would call tourist attractions and the only reason I am writing about it at all is because Ciao have listed it under gardens to visit. However, if you are visiting Oxford it provides a pleasant escape from the traffic and bustle of the city centre, perhaps for a picnic lunch, and an alternative route from St. Aldates to High St or vice versa,

There are several entrances to Christ Church Meadows: from St. Aldates through the war memorial garden with its colourful herbaceous border, from cobbled Merton St., or from the top of High St., opposite Magdalen college via Rose Lane.

Whichever entrance you choose you will be greeted by a set of rules which make the byelaws of the University Parks pale into insignificance:

“The meadow keepers and constables are hereby instructed to prevent the entrance into the meadow of all beggars, all persons in ragged or very dirty clothes, persons of improper character or who are not decent in appearance and behaviour: and to prevent indecent, rude or disorderly conduct of every description.

To allow no handcarts or wheelbarrows, no hawkers or persons carrying parcels or bundles so as to obstruct the walks.

To prevent the flying of kites, throwing stones, throwing balls, bowling hoops, shooting arrows, firing guns or pistols or playing games attended with danger or inconvenience to passers by: also fishing in the waters, catching birds, or birds-nesting or cycling.

To prevent all persons cutting names on or breaking or injuring the seats, shrubs, plants, trees or turf.

To prevent the fastening of boats or rafts to the iron palisading or river wall and to prevent encroachments of every kind by the river side.”

So don’t say I didn’t warn you!

One may suppose that this comprehensive list was compiled after James Sadler (the first English aeronaut) made his pioneering balloon flight from the meadow in 1784 otherwise he would never have got away with it. A character of Eddy the Eagle like courage, or madness, Sadler later attempted to fly across the Irish Sea in 1812 – but failed. He is buried in St. Peter in the East in Queens Lane – now part of St. Edmund Hall – though not as a result of this failure. The plaque commemorating this event is on the wall by Deadman’s walk.

The rules are not strictly enforced, for most of the persons found in the meadow probably fail to meet the stringent dress standards required. Many are dirty and sweaty having just returned from a rowing session on the river.

Assuming that you enter from St. Aldates you will be on the main path of the meadows known as the Broad Walk. From the Broad Walk one path, the New Walk branches to the right and will take you alongside the River Thames, or Isis as it is known in Oxford, until it meets with the Cherwell.

The central ancient meadows are usually grazed by the suitably ancient rare breed of cattle – English Longhorns.

A footbridge over the Cherwell continues to lead to the college boat houses which have long since replaced the beautiful old barges that once lined the banks of the River.

At virtually any time of the year you will find activity on the river. Even in winter except when the river is too dangerous rowers will be hard at it.

This is a good vantage point from which to watch the University boat races as the towpath on the other side can get very busy and awkward as the coaches on bikes speed along to keep up with the boats.

The main events are Torpids which are held in sixth week of Hilary Term (Late Feb/March) and Eights Week held in fifth Week of Trinity term (May/June). I will make no attempt to explain the rather stupid rules of bumps.

Continuing along the path you will come back to the Broad Walk. To the left of the Broadwalk is another path known as Deadman’s Walk. It has been suggested that it is so-called because it led to the Jewish cemetery outside the City walls and was the path mourners followed the funeral procession. This walk follows the walls of Merton College and eventually leads to Rose Lane where the botanical Gardens now stand on the site of the old Jewish Cemetery.

Thank you for reading this and I am sorry I couldn’t make it more interesting – but please don’t blame me – blame Ciao for putting it there to be written about. I have (hopefully) written more interesting opinions than this – including one on Christ Church College which is adjacent to the Meadows.
 

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