After writing about Oxford more generally (see post on Oxford), I thought it would be good to discuss some of the city’s unsung gems in more detail. One such place, which is often overlooked, is Hinksey Park on Abingdon Road.
The Former Waterworks
In the 1850s, gravel was extracted from the land where Hinksey Park now stands to provide ballast for an extension of the Great Western Railway. The resulting crater was gradually filled with natural spring water, forming a lake. In 1856, a pumping station was later constructed on the road leading to the lake, creating new waterworks for Oxford.
Hinksey Park sits on the site of this former waterworks. Like many Victorian waterworks, the site was carefully landscaped to make it feel clean, respectable, and welcoming to the public. The park later developed from these landscaped surroundings.
The grounds surrounding the waterworks were handed over for public use in the 1920s and became a public park. Later, the waterworks themselves closed in 1934 after new facilities were built in Swinford.
The Park
The large lake created from the former railway quarry now forms an important sanctuary for wildlife, including geese and swans. Walking towards the lake, you will notice a small pier which extends into the lake. This pier is used for water sports such as canoeing and is often used as a platform for swimming. On a hot summer day, the lake is very popular with swimmers. Although the council does not officially advise swimming due to changing depths, fluctuating water quality, and low temperatures.
The waterworks’ pumping station was powered by steam engines, and it is these engines that we can thank for the boating pond near the lake today. To recycle the hot water produced during the pumping process, a cooling pond was created to receive condensed steam from the engines. Over time, this cooling pond became the boating lake, where visitors now sail model boats. It also attracts ducks and other wildlife.
In addition to the boating pond, the park features a splash park with play fountains designed to entertain children during the summer months. There is also a playground and outdoor tennis courts.
The real highlight of the park, though, is the Hinksey Outdoor Pool.
Hinksey Outdoor Pool
I should admit that I am slightly conflicted when discussing Hinksey Outdoor Pool, as I have worked there casually as a lifeguard. Nevertheless, I will try to remain as impartial as possible and should make clear that I am not being paid by the managers or operators of the site to write this post. The photographs were also taken with the permission of the company currently running the pool.
The outdoor pool sits on the site of the former filter beds of the waterworks, which were converted into a swimming pool in 1936. The pools remained open to the public until 1994, when they closed because of issues with the filtration system. After extensive redevelopment, the site reopened in 1997 in the form seen today.
Before the redevelopment, the site consisted of four separate filter-bed pools from the old waterworks. However, during the renovation, two of these pools were filled in to create a large, grassed bathing area, while the remaining two were merged to form the main pool.
Swimming at Hinksey Outdoor Pool
The pool itself has a large deep section, reaching around 1.5 metres at its deepest point and stretching roughly 33 metres in length. This makes the pool noticeably longer than a standard 25-metre indoor pool, something which deceived me into thinking I was far more unfit than I was, when I first started swimming there.
The deeper area gradually gives way to a shallow “beach-entry” paddling area with a fountain. This beach-entry section provides a space to relax while also giving children a safe place to enjoy the water.
The pool is heated and, when operating normally, provides a comfortable swimming experience from spring through to early autumn. Facilities include changing huts, heated showers, and toilets, although there are no lockers, meaning bags and belongings are usually left on the grass or benches around the pool.
On a warm summer evening, with the trees surrounding the pool and the sound of birds in the background, it is easy to forget you are still in the middle of Oxford. If you are anything like me, it is easy to imagine, if only briefly, that you are on holiday somewhere in the Mediterranean.
Reflection
To conclude, Hinksey Park is one of those rare places where you could easily spend an entire day swimming, walking, and enjoying nature. Although it lies only a short distance from Oxford city centre, it feels far removed from the bustle of the city, offering a perfect space to relax, unwind, and recharge.