Old Road to Shotover then Horspath Athletics Ground to Regal, Oxford/Horspath, August 5th 2024

In • Windmill Street to Sho... , I walked round the base of Shotover Hill, along a private road called The Ridings. Later on in my route, I had to divert because of water on the path. So I try again, as it's been dry for several days. This time, I can take the path I wanted to.
I start by walking from the city centre into St. Clements and up Morrell Avenue, then along Old Road to the bridge over the eastern by-pass. That part is the same as in the linked video, and isn't shown. I then begin filming, cross the bridge, and go down The Ridings as before, and past the houses. I leave The Ridings once out of the woods, go south-east for a bit, and this time, can cross the spot where I was diverted last time. So I then go south through the meadow (not named on the maps) and into Horspath Athletics and Sports Ground, and thence up and over the little hillock into their car park, and "OUT" onto the Oxford Road. This takes me back into Oxford past the Stagecoach Bus Depot and Mini Visitor Centre, and then straight along Horspath Road and the eastern end of Barracks Lane.
On Barracks Lane, I turn left just before Cowley Marsh Recreation Ground, and go along the footpath. This is another change from the route in the linked video. The end of the footpath parallels Marsh Road, which I come onto and then follow to Cowley Road, except it's called Oxford Road here. I follow it as far as the old Regal cinema where the Cowley Road shops start, and end the video. The rest is a straightforward walk back to the city centre.
Maps: www.headington... , www.openstreet... .

[@elizabethcollins6309]

Thank you for the video ❤

[@andrewneuman7569]

Many thanks for filming this video for my Dad, whose comments add further dimension to your walk around this area.

[@WalkingOxford]

It was a pleasure, and thanks to him for his detailed comments back.

[@robertneuman6808]

I served with the US Air Force at Upper Heyford from 1958 to 1961. I got to know Oxford with the help of my English girlfriend, who became my wife in 1959, and who who lived with her parents in Cowley, just off the Hollow Way on Marshall Road. I've enjoyed all of your tours and well-informed comments. Although we visited Oxford on and off over the decades, the changes in the buildings and the hordes of tourists make it hard for me to recognize some of our old haunts. Back in the day it was American and German tourists who stood out on the High. I know you want to create a detailed record of the Oxford cityscape, but I think a few words about yourself and your relationship to the Dreaming Spires would not be amiss. Robert Neuman, Lincoln, California

[@WalkingOxford]

Thanks a lot for the compliments, Robert. I thought you would like to see what The High is like now, and who the hordes are, so I've made "Revisiting The High" for you at kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ3Wh6Zol8Srd8U . I'll do one of Marshall Road too, maybe today if the sunny weather holds. As for me, I studied here, but I'd be walking the routes anyway. I walk for an hour or four when the weather allows, wherever I am, and generally end up knowing a town better than most locals.

[@WalkingOxford]

I've added a video of Marshall Road and its neighbourhood, at kzbin.info/www/bejne/an3bh5mArbCFrdk . I hope it brings back some good memories.

[@robertneuman6808]

​@@WalkingOxford Thanks very much for the visit to Cowley/Marshall Road despite the clouds and drizzle. I have not visited the area since my late wife, Mabel, and I sold the house in 1986. I must say that the removal of many of the stone walls, front gates and cars parked by the front windows gives the street a shabby appearance, including the house of her parents which was on the first block of Marshall Road off the Hollow way. Below I've included some remarks you may finding interesting with reference times. 5:05 This was known as Southfield golf course in our time. Mabel and I often walked her dog along Barracks Lane and along the golf course where the dog often grabbed golf balls off the green to the shouts of angry golfers. The UK 1911 census lists Mabel's maternal grandfather working as a golf course greenskeeper residing in Crescent road with his wife and ten (!) children. The house is still there. I presume he worked at Southfield. 13:00 April Place Flats was a parking lot for finished cars from Morris Motors in 1959. 19:00 This large open space was behind Mabel's parent's house, and was known as "The Rec." Back then it was a very tidy, well mowed grassy playground replete with swings, merry go round. In your video it looks like a vacant lot. 31:33 I think this is Mabel's house, much changed. Back then there was a wooden gate with a sign asking "WyWurree." 33:59 There used to be a news agent's shop where these flats now stand. When the gas ran out and no one had a shilling for the gas meter, someone had to go to this shop for some shillings. This usually happened while someone was in the bath. 34:25 Smith & Low's shop is where Mabel bought her three speed Raleigh to ride to work, first as a lab assistant in the South Parks Road Pharmacology Lab and later at Nuffield Exports in Cowley. Today my oldest son still rides this bicycle in Tokyo where he works and lives with his family. We often walked down Crescent Road to the center of Oxford to buy the Sunday papers. Coming from a small town in Wisconsin with a local newspaper I was amazed by the Observer and Times, not to mention the Sunday Express and News of the World. Many happy memories of rainy Sunday afternoons with tea and the papers! 38:44 I believe this collegiate looking building is the last remnant of the extensive Nuffield Printing company that occupied this entrance to the Hollow Way. It printed a variety of car magazines, posters, etc for Morris. 39:57 The Swan. We often walked to the Swan where buses were more frequent than up the Hollow Way. 40:00 Between Towns Road. Many changes here, most notable the demolition of the Cowley Workers' Social Club which stood here. My father in law and I spent many Sunday afternoons (too many!) from noon till two downing pints in this smoky, noisy gathering place of many car factory workers, including many Geordie ex-mining emigres to the factories, whose accents went over my head, and all of whom had daughters married to Yanks living in Chicago. Did I know them? Time for another round! Keep up the good walks!

[@WalkingOxford]

Thanks Robert for taking the trouble to write these. It adds another dimension to my knowledge. I get the impression that things were generally tidier then, and more convenient (more shops and places to meet and walk), though perhaps heating wasn't so good. I'm glad you found Mabel's house, or hope you did.