Burgess Field Nature Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burgess Field Nature Park |
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 The southern entrance of the nature reserve |
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 Burgess Field Nature Park
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| OS grid reference | SP 49725 07491 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Oxford |
| Postcode district | OX2 0NL |
| Dialling code | 01865 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Oxfordshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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| Website | friendsofburgessfield.co.uk |
Burgess Field Nature Park (also called Burgess Field) is a special place in Oxford, England. It's a nature reserve, which means it's a protected area where plants and animals can live safely. This park is right next to Port Meadow and is looked after by the Oxford City Council.
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Exploring Burgess Field Nature Park
Burgess Field is located between Port Meadow to the west and a railway line to the east. You can find it just north of the Aristotle Lane entrance to Port Meadow. This nature reserve covers about 30 hectares (that's about 74 acres) of land.
What You'll See at the Park
The park has wide-open grassy areas and some lovely woodland sections. There's a path that goes all the way around the edge of the park. You'll also find smaller paths that cross through the middle. It's a great spot for a walk or to simply enjoy nature.
Wildlife in the Park
Burgess Field is home to many different kinds of wildlife. Birdwatchers especially enjoy visiting here. You might spot birds like the cuckoo, the short-eared owl, or even a jack snipe. These birds come to the park to feed and rest.
From Landfill to Nature Reserve
It might surprise you to learn that Burgess Field was once a landfill site. This means it was a place where rubbish was buried until the 1980s. Because of this, the park is actually higher than Port Meadow, which often floods. In the 1990s, the area was cleaned up and transformed. Trees and hedges were planted to create the beautiful nature reserve you see today. The name "Burgess Field" might come from people called "burgesses" who gave land to Godstow Nunnery a long time ago.
Remembering John Thompson
Inside Burgess Field Nature Park, you'll find a special stone that remembers a man named John Thompson (1941–2015). John Thompson was a landscape architect for the city of Oxford. He was the person who first had the idea for this nature reserve. He also helped plant more than 10,000 trees all over Oxford, making the city greener and more beautiful.
Friends of Burgess Field
There is a group called the Friends of Burgess Field. This group was started in 2018. They are volunteers who care deeply about the park. These dedicated people help to keep the nature reserve tidy and healthy. They do things like clear paths and look after the plants, making sure the park stays a great place for everyone to enjoy.
