South Park, Oxford

See also South Park (disambiguation)
Not to be confused with South Parks Road.
View across South Park.
South Park in the snow.

South Park is a park on Headington Hill in east Oxford, England.[1] It is the largest park within Oxford city limits. A good view of the city centre with its historic spires and towers of Oxford University can be obtained at the park's highest point, a favourite location for photographers.

Location

The park is located alongside Headington Road. St Clement's links the park with central Oxford. A 19th-century bridge links the park with Headington Hill Park.[2] On the southern boundary is the gently curving Morrell Avenue, named after a local brewery family.

History

The land was privately owned by the Morrell family of Headington Hill Hall until bought by the Oxford Preservation Trust in 1932 to preserve it as open space. In 1951 the Trust gave the land to the city of Oxford. A carved stone by the sculptor Eric Gill is located at the foot of the Park and records the Trust's gift thus: 'This park was acquired by the Oxford Preservation Trust through the liberality of the Pilgrim Trust and David and Joanna Randall-McIver 1932'.

Events

Annual Bonfire Night fireworks display at South Park, Oxford

Many events are held in the park including the annual parade of the Lord Mayor and the annual fireworks display of the Oxford Round Table.

On 7 July 2001, there was a music festival in the park, including Radiohead, Supergrass (who started in Oxford), Beck, Sigur Rós, Humphrey Lyttelton and two local bands, Hester Thrale and The Rock of Travolta.[3] Over 40,000 people attended, the largest event in the park to date.

OxfordOxford[4] is a weekend-long music, film and community festival held in the park in September. It is the first large-scale music event since the Radiohead concert in 2001 and features local talent threaded amongst internationally acclaimed artists. This event was cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

Foodies Festivals[5]organizes events at South Park, including master classes from chefs such as Levi Roots and Ed Baines.

See also

References

  1. ↑ South Park, Oxford City Council, UK.
  2. ↑ The Landscape of Headington Hill Hall: A Report for Oxford Brookes, Land & Landscape Management Ltd, December 2006.
  3. ↑ Radiohead, Beck, Supergrass, Sigur Ros, Humphrey Lyttelton, Music OMH.
  4. ↑ "Oxford". OxfordOxford. Retrieved 23 June 2014. External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. ↑ "Oxford". Foodies Festivals. Retrieved 26 October 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)

Coordinates: 51°45′05″N 1°13′52″W / 51.75139°N 1.23111°W / 51.75139; -1.23111


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