I've left East Oxford until last. I'm defining E Oxford as anywhere east of Magdalen Bridge; as this is home to some 60% of Oxford's residents, it's last but certainly not least.
Let's start by following the left hand fork at the Plain (just east of the bridge); this winds through St Clement's which at first sight looks unpromising for the would-be jogger, but just as you get to the foot of the hill leading up to Oxford Brookes and Headington a vista of parks opens up before you on both sides of the road: on the left is Headington Hill Park and on the right is South Park. If you want to be under the trees and enjoy a bit of exclusion I'd go for the former; South Park on the other hand is much more open and has splendid views back over the dreaming spires. You also won't be alone there - the university train there in the winter as do Headington Road Runners. Both of these parks are suitable for hill training, if you like that sort of thing.
Neither of the other 2 roads leading off the Plain (Cowley Road and Iffley Road) are quite so alluring for runners, at least not for those who like solitude or green pastures. Florence Park (between the two) is fine once you get there, but you need to go further out to get to perhaps the best running locally. I'm referring to Shotover Country Park; this is reached by following Old Road to the end, at the top of the hill. Old Road was the original road to London. Be warned though - you've got quite a climb to get to into the park at all... no wonder they abandoned this route to the capital in favour of the A40! Anyway, once you've arrived at Shotover the options are plentiful and the running as challenging as you want. There are different coloured trails of varying lengths. In fact I would recommend following one of these as otherwise it's pretty easy to get lost as it's quite a big place. Plenty of blackberries around too - or there will be shortly.
If you're in the Iffley Road there is a nice loop for runners to follow, made famous by the so-called Teddy Hall Relays, the largest mid-week road relay race in the country. It starts at the University athletics track (where Sir Roger Bannister was the first man to run one mile in under 4 minutes) which is just off the Iffley Road. Run south along the Iffley Road, turning down Meadow Lane and then following through the fields to Donnington Bridge; cross the Thames here, and turn right along the tow-path following the river upstream to Folly Bridge (you'll see the 'Head of the River' pub opposite). Run over the bridge and into Christ Church Meadow at the back of the pub. Exit the meadow in Rose Lane, turn right and it's a simple run back to Iffley Road across Magdalen Bridge.
If you are further out along the Iffley Road, in Rose Hill or Iffley Village, then try to make your way to Iffley lock; there's plenty of good running there along the Thames, both up or downstream.
Good luck and stay fit!
Let's start by following the left hand fork at the Plain (just east of the bridge); this winds through St Clement's which at first sight looks unpromising for the would-be jogger, but just as you get to the foot of the hill leading up to Oxford Brookes and Headington a vista of parks opens up before you on both sides of the road: on the left is Headington Hill Park and on the right is South Park. If you want to be under the trees and enjoy a bit of exclusion I'd go for the former; South Park on the other hand is much more open and has splendid views back over the dreaming spires. You also won't be alone there - the university train there in the winter as do Headington Road Runners. Both of these parks are suitable for hill training, if you like that sort of thing.
Neither of the other 2 roads leading off the Plain (Cowley Road and Iffley Road) are quite so alluring for runners, at least not for those who like solitude or green pastures. Florence Park (between the two) is fine once you get there, but you need to go further out to get to perhaps the best running locally. I'm referring to Shotover Country Park; this is reached by following Old Road to the end, at the top of the hill. Old Road was the original road to London. Be warned though - you've got quite a climb to get to into the park at all... no wonder they abandoned this route to the capital in favour of the A40! Anyway, once you've arrived at Shotover the options are plentiful and the running as challenging as you want. There are different coloured trails of varying lengths. In fact I would recommend following one of these as otherwise it's pretty easy to get lost as it's quite a big place. Plenty of blackberries around too - or there will be shortly.
If you're in the Iffley Road there is a nice loop for runners to follow, made famous by the so-called Teddy Hall Relays, the largest mid-week road relay race in the country. It starts at the University athletics track (where Sir Roger Bannister was the first man to run one mile in under 4 minutes) which is just off the Iffley Road. Run south along the Iffley Road, turning down Meadow Lane and then following through the fields to Donnington Bridge; cross the Thames here, and turn right along the tow-path following the river upstream to Folly Bridge (you'll see the 'Head of the River' pub opposite). Run over the bridge and into Christ Church Meadow at the back of the pub. Exit the meadow in Rose Lane, turn right and it's a simple run back to Iffley Road across Magdalen Bridge.
If you are further out along the Iffley Road, in Rose Hill or Iffley Village, then try to make your way to Iffley lock; there's plenty of good running there along the Thames, both up or downstream.
Good luck and stay fit!
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