Oxford has many surprisingly large open spaces that are open to the public and are great for walking, lounging around, and generally getting away from the crowds.

University Park
Parks Road, City Center. Open from 8am until dusk. Free entry.
The park consists of about 70 acres of land on the banks of the Cherwell River. Great for jogging, walking, lounging around, or kicking a ball around.
Points of Interest:

• Cricket Pavilion — designed by Sir Thomas Jackson (who also designed the university Examination Schools) and completed in 1881
  
• Genetic Garden — an experimental garden established by Professor Cyril Darlington to demonstrate evolutionary processes.
• The only first-class cricket ground in the UK where spectators can watch for free.
  
• Circular duck pond with water lilies and a small island, constructed in 1925.
  
• Coronation Clump, a clump of trees planted to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
• High Bridge, built in 1923–24 as a relief project for the unemployed. It is usually called Rainbow Bridge, because of its shape.
  
• Seven large Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) trees planted in about 1888.
  
• Styphnolobium japonicum, known as the Japanese Pagoda Tree. Planted in 1888.
  
• Mesopotamia Walk - a path that runs along a narrow island
• Parson's Pleasure and Dame's Delight - seculded area's that were once used for nude bathing

Botanical Gardens
High Street. Open 9am - 5pm daily. Free in winter, £2.60 in summer.
Located on the peaceful banks of the Cherwell River, the gardens were started in 1621 as the Physic Gardens, for the study of medicinal plants. These are the oldest botanic gardens in Britain. In addition to the lovely outdoor gardens, there are greenhouses which grow many varieties of exotic plants and flowers. Just next to the gardens, crossing over Rose Lane, there are rose gardens that are exquisite in July.

Christ Church Meadow
Access from St. Aldates or Rose Lane, off High Street. Free
The Meadow is a popular walking and picnic area during the warmer months. The meadow is bound by the Thames (Isis), the Cherwell, and Christ Church College. Sit by the river and watch the ducks, swans, and punts go by.

Port Meadow
Access from Walton Well Road, Aristotle Lane, or Wolvercote
Port Meadow is the largest area of common land in Oxford, measuring approximately 440 acres. The land has never been ploughed or farmed. Bronze Age people buried their dead in the meadow, and Iron Age people grazed their livestock and lived on the meadow during the summer months. Large areas of Port Meadow are flooded for much of the year, attracting flocks of migratory birds. It takes about 50 minutes to stroll from one end of the meadow (the Trout Inn in Wolvercote) to the other end (The Perch Inn, Binsey)

Angel & Greyhound Meadow
Access from Boulter Street, off St. Clements
Also known as Angel Meadow, this park is located opposite Magdalen College, on the River Cherwell. The meadow was originally named for an old coaching inn, which is now a pub on St. Clements. The park is very low-lying, and is flooded for much of the year.

Cutteslowe Park
At the end of Harbord Road, off Banbury Road. 0800 0521455 for information and opening times.
Cutteslowe Park is a large, gorgeous, free park with many activities to keep you occupied on a day out. Duck pond, aviary, huge children's playground, mini-golf (crazy golf) (summer only), tennis, mini steam train (see schedule below), playing fields, basketball court, flower gardens. Kiosk open in the summer. To get there, take the #2 bus from the city center towards Kidlington. Get off at Harbord Road/Wolvercote Cemetery, and walk to the end of Harbord Road.
Cutteslowe Park Miniature Railway Timetable:
- Weekends 2006: The first train departs at 2pm and thereafter at frequent intervals until 5:30pm (4:30pm in October), according to demand. April 2, 16, 17, 30; May 1, 7, 21, 29; June 4, 18; July 2, 16, 30; August 6, 20, 28; September 3, 17; October 1, 15, 29. June 25 - Special Event - Charity Steaming.
- Wednesdays 2006: The first train departs at 1:00pm and thereafter at frequent intervals until 4:30pm, according to demand. July 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.
- Fare: 60 pence. Family tickets (10 journeys) £5.00.

Florence Park
Cornwallis Road, off Iffley Road.
A lovely, family-friendly park named after the sister (Florence) of former Councillor F.E. Moss. Facilities include two bowls greens (Florence Park Bowls Club 01865 779329), six tennis courts, crazy golf, and a children's play area.

Bury Knowle Park
Off Old High Street, which is off London Road, Headington.
This park was developed in 1930 after the council purchased Bury Knowle House and it's grounds. The park's facilities include a children's play area, tennis courts, crazy golf, the Headington Library, a sensory garden for the visually impaired, and a kiosk providing refreshments and ice creams.

Hinksey Park
Lake Street, off Abingdon Road
Features of this park include an outdoor swimming pool, a main lake, a boating lake, tennis courts, fishing, a children's play area, and a kiosk selling refreshments.