Great Western Park south of Wantage Road and Didcot Road
WEST AND SOUTHWEST The southern section of Great Western Park south of Didcot Road (B4493) contains many mature oaks. Most are in a long row down Moreland Road and Sorrel Crescent, defining the west and southwest parts of the estate, with sight of fields beyond. In 2021, parts of this area are still under construction – this page will be updated when the site is opened and construction fencing removed.
CENTRAL NORTH Dotted around the centre of GWP south are a number of mature trees worth seeking out. North of Aureus School off Diamond Drive is an eastbound footpath that runs north of Wintergreen Close – this path features a number of older oaks and younger walnuts. As the vista opens up at a large recreation field marked on some maps as Cold Sticks Field, the footpath leads past the long-established Pill Pond, whose water level is quite ephemeral. There's some new tree planting east of the Pill Pond and north of the path. Another way to reach the Pill Pond is from Sundew Close off Reed Street, and then walk north across Cold Sticks Field.
CENTRAL SOUTH South of the original Down Farm (private), near the double lakes, there are a few single trees and much new tree planting which will make the area feel more natural in years to come. North of Down Farm, a new orchard recreational area is being constructed.
EAST SIDE Towards the east of Great Western Park south, starting at Reed Street and walking east then south, two large oaks and a large ash appear just as a view opens over the medium-sized recreation field known as Stubbings Land (or on some maps Two Fields). The nearest oak to the footbridge is recorded on the Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Inventory – it is the fourth largest oak in Didcot, dating from around 1820. From here, on the other side of the field along West Hagbourne footpath, can be seen another large oak of similar size and age. Now becoming Bluebell Lane, the road eventually meets West Hagbourne footpath at a small copse containing eight oaks.
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Public access Private / inaccessible
Southbound down Moreland Road and Sorrel Crescent
To be updated and completed after building work has finished and construction fencing removed.
Wintergreen footpath, Pill Pond
Around the double ponds and orchard
Reed Street, Stubbings Land, Bluebell Lane
From the small copse containing eight oaks, a walk can be continued either southbound on the West Hagbourne path, or northbound back to the Wantage Road, passing a view over Stubbings Land to the large oak (shown above), and encountering several other large oaks.
