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Farmoor Reservoir
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Site Maintained by:- |
Walking | |||||||||
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There are many walking opportunities around Farmoor Reservoir. However, for safety reasons you are not permitted to walk around the crest road without a permit.
There is a Countryside Walk around the perimeter of the site. The walk is approximately four miles and takes two and a half hours. The trail is across fields, footpaths and roads. Strong shoes are advisable. Climbing of stiles is necessary and some parts can be muddy in wet weather. The trail begins at the rear of the stone building in the car park. Maps showing a public footpath between the two reservoirs are out of date. Thames Water had this path diverted some years ago. Only permit holders are allowed on the crest road and path between the reservoirs. Call at the Rangers Office for information or Tel 01865 863033. Please remember the Country Code Guard against risk of fire. Keep dogs under proper control. Safeguard Water Supplies. Take your litter home. Do not interfere with wildlife. Close gates meant to be shut. Keep to proper paths. Avoid damaging fences and hedges. Go carefully on country roads. Respect the life of the countryside. | |||||||||
Farmoor Footpath1. Start of Field Walk to Filchampstead Footpath2. Across the High Ground 3. Along the road and into Bushy Leaze Copse 4. Down to Lower Whitley Farm and the meadows 5. The Nature Reserves 6. Pink Hill Lock to Farmoor Village 7. Return to the Car Park Return to top |
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Section 1 Text by John Campbell June 1987 Return to footpath 1. Start of Field Walk to Filchampstead Footpath 2. Across the High Ground 3. Along the road and into Bushy Leaze Copse 4. Down to Lower Whitley Farm and the meadows 5. The Nature Reserves 6. Pink Hill Lock to Farmoor Village 7. Return to the Car Park Return to top |
Start of Field Walk to Filchampstead FootpathThe ditch and thick hedge bordering the path is a rich environment for wildlife. The main shrub of the hedge is Blackthorn, which produces white flowers before it has any leaves. Hawthorn, also present, has white flowers as well, but they are produced later in the Spring, "the May blossom'; when there are leaves on the bushes. By late Summer the Blackthorn will produce sour fruits like small blue plums called sloes.There are several pollard Willow trees in the hedge. Look for the red lumps on the leaves, they are called bean galls and are caused by the larvae of the gall wasp PONTANIA PROXIMA. The Willows were topped just above the reach of browsing cattle and this encouraged masses of branches to grow, which were cropped to make hurdles and thatching pegs. The Willow seeds are wrapped in a "cotton wool" which drifts in the wind. Elder bushes are also present, with masses of small white flowers in early Summer. In Autumn they are covered by large bunches of small, juicy, black fruits, which are feasted upon by Starlings and many other species of birds. Ivy climbs on many of the trees and gives cover for insects from rain and strong winds. Ivy flowers are produced in the Autumn and many insects, especially wasps, feed on the nectar. The Ivy fruits do not ripen until well after Christmas when most other fruits have been eaten, so they prove very attractive to many hungry birds. Great Bindweed, with large cone-shaped, white flowers climbs upon the bushes, whilst the tall green plant with feathery leaves and liver-coloured blotches on the stems is Hemlock. This is poisonous, especially the roots, and was the poison that Socrates used to commit suicide. Stinging Nettles are abundant and are an important source of food for the caterpillars of such butterflies as the Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Red Admiral, the adults of which can be seen flying here at the right time of year. Stinging Nettles are also important to a wide range of other insects, including beetles, flies, gall wasps and leafhoppers. Other large plants present here include the Creeping Thistle, and Great Willowherb, which stands stiffly to a height of four or more feet with spikes of pinkish flowers, while the Russian Comfrey forms clumps of sombre green plants with tubular drooping blue flowers. Alder trees have been planted by the reservoir and in Spring they produce green catkins which are the male flowers. The catkins shed their pollen which is carried by the wind to the female flowers - small green cones. The old cones are easily seen as they are black. Alder seeds are a favourite winter food of small finches such as Siskins and Redpolls. A belt of trees has also , been planted containing such species as Ash, Sycamore, Norway Maple and Cherry. These will also Provide food and shelter for a wide range of animals. Return to footpath - Return to top | |||||||||
Section 2 Text by John Campbell June 1987 Return to footpath 1. Start of Field Walk to Filchampstead Footpath 2. Across the High Ground 3. Along the road and into Bushy Leaze Copse 4. Down to Lower Whitley Farm and the meadows 5. The Nature Reserves 6. Pink Hill Lock to Farmoor Village 7. Return to the Car Park Return to top |
Across the High GroundFrom the high spot the setting of the reservoirs can be appreciated. To the 'South the land rises towards Cumnor, and beyond the reservoirs to the North the land rises to the wooded slopes of Wytham Hill. This high ground is made of harder Corallian limestones and sands which were laid down on the Jurassic sea-bed some 160 million years ago. Farmoor lies in an old river channel that cut away the gap which leads Eastwards to Botley and Oxford. Westwards is the low vale of the River Thames where it flows on soft Oxford Clay. Rising beyond the vale is the edge of the limestones that eventually form the Cotswold Hills. Scattered over the clay vale are deposits of gravel laid down by the River Thames during and at the close of the Ice Age. Compared with the Jurassic rocks the gravels are very young, a mere million years to only a few thousand years. From here the view over the reservoirs enables one to see the Swifts, completely sooty black and with crescent-shaped wings, swooping and twisting as they catch flies and other insects. Swifts arrive in Britain at the end of April and must leave for Africa by late August. Other summer visitors are House Martins and their cousins the Sand Martins, which are uniformly buff on the back. They are slightly smaller than the steely-blue-backed Swallows which have long V-shaped tails. The large, all white Mute Swans and the dirty looking immature Swans show up clearly. Nearly as large are the Cormorants which stay later each Spring and return earlier each Autumn. They appear totally black with long necks. They often perch on the reservoir towers with their wings held half-open to dry in the sun. Cormorants feed on trout which are stocked in the reservoirs, as do Herons which can often be seen. Seagulls can also be seen. Most common are the smaller Black-headed Gulls. The other Gull likely to be seen is the larger Lesser Black-backed Gull. Just over two hundred species of birds have been recorded at Farmoor reservoirs, so that it is impossible to describe all of those that might be seen. Amongst the low-growing plants in this area is the Spotted Medick. There is a black spot on each of the three leaflets that make a leaf. The flowers are small and clustered to make bright yellow heads about the size of a pea. Return to footpath - Return to top | |||||||||
Section 3 Text by John Campbell June 1987 Return to footpath 1. Start of Field Walk to Filchampstead Footpath 2. Across the High Ground 3. Along the road and into Bushy Leaze Copse 4. Down to Lower Whitley Farm and the meadows 5. The Nature Reserves 6. Pink Hill Lock to Farmoor Village 7. Return to the Car Park Return to top |
Along the road and
The ditch by the roadside provides a suitable habitat for the Reed Mace, often mistakenly called Bull Rush. It has tall ramrod like stems capped with a brown mass of seeds. Angelica, a relation of the Hemlock, with less finely cut leaves and a more bush habit grows with the taller, silvery leaved Meadow Sweet. Zig-zag Clover growing on the verge is a surprise as it usually prefers a drier lime-rich soil. If you look at the stems of the Clover they really do bend in a zig-zag fashion.
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Section 4 Text by John Campbell June 1987 Return to footpath 1. Start of Field Walk to Filchampstead Footpath 2. Across the High Ground 3. Along the road and into Bushy Leaze Copse 4. Down to Lower Whitley Farm and the meadows 5. The Nature Reserves 6. Pink Hill Lock to Farmoor Village 7. Return to the Car Park Return to top |
Down to Lower Whitley Farm and the meadowsThe Oxford Clay Vale drops gently to the South-east and the River Thames has slipped across the Vale to lie close to the Corallian ridge. Note the lines of pollard Willow trees. Once all of the fields of the Vale were grass, some grazed and some for hay. Today this has changed and many are ploughed annually to grow cereals, especially wheat. Seed is usually sown in Autumn, and Winter floods can sometimes kill the young plants.Canada Geese are most frequently seen on the river and meadows. Sometimes quite large flocks are present. British Canada Geese originate from captive birds kept in parks for decoration in the 1920s. Now they are numerous in the County and herds of over one thousand birds have been recorded. In recent years Grey-Lag Geese, the ancestors of farmyard, geese, have been re-introduced to the wild and they can be seen here. The presence of farmyard geese, which can fly perfectly well, makes it even more complicated. Woodpigeons are usually to be seen flying along the hedges, as are Magpies, Carrion Crows and Rooks. If one is really lucky a Fox may be seen hunting across the meadows. The River Thames turns at almost a right angle, such bends are called meanders. On the outside of the bend the bank is vertical and is being cut away. The inside of the bend is slow flowing and soil and other debris carried by the river is deposited. Such areas are called slip-offs, and often wading birds can be seen here feeding in the bare mud. Following the path Northwards there is a new plantation. On the fences it is usually possible to see Reed Buntings, the males being easily recognised by their black heads and clerical white collars. Skylarks also favour this grassland. Yellow Wagtails are to be found here. They are Summer visitors to Britain and in late Summer when they start their Southwards migration, large flocks build up. Although called Yellow Wagtails they are a greenish colour on the back and pale yellow on the underparts. This is a good area for both dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are generally larger, have stouter bodies, and at rest hold the wing outstretched from the body. Damselflies are smaller, thin bodied and at rest fold the wings together above the body. In flight it is generally impossible to identify which species is which, but one appearing from late July can be readily identified. This is the Brown Aeshna, which is about three inches long and has brown wings and body. All of the dragonflies are hunters that catch and eat smaller insects. Return to footpath - Return to top | |||||||||
Section 5 Text by Nigel Vick Nov 2003 Return to footpath 1. Start of Field Walk to Filchampstead Footpath 2. Across the High Ground 3. Along the road and into Bushy Leaze Copse 4. Down to Lower Whitley Farm and the meadows 5. The Nature Reserves 6. Pink Hill Lock to Farmoor Village 7. Return to the Car Park Return to top |
The Nature ReservesWe now come to the Nature Reserves created by Thames Water in co-operation with the Environment Agency and other bodies.The southerly and most recent is Buckthorn Meadow. The 2.5-acre site, opened in 2003, and provides a new type of habitat at Farmoor, designed to attract a variety of wetland species such as otters and bittern. This £30,000 project, jointly funded by Thames Water and the Environment Agency, provides, A new 120-metre-long lake adjoining the river; Five smaller ponds and shallow pools to attract pond life, such as frogs, dragonflies and wading birds; and a 100-metre-long restored ditch and hedgerow, providing a haven for reed buntings and water voles. The wetland was designed by the Environment Agency’s Landscape Architect, Richard Hellier, in consultation with Thames Water’s Biodiversity and Heritage Advisor, Mark Doughty. There are a variety of viewing points for visitors with access from the path. Permit holders can also use the bird hides at Shrike Meadows and Pinkhill. Anyone wishing to obtain a permit should enquire at the Gate Three office. Just north of Buckthorne Meadow is Shrike Meadow, which welcomed its first visitors in 2000. This scheme has been carefully designed to create a hotspot for a wide variety of rare and declining species in a way that provides people with good viewing opportunities in an attractive landscape. Excavation, planting and seeding has been undertaken on the floodplain to create a rich mosaic of ponds, ditches, wet grassland, reedbed and scrub habitats. Cattle will be used to graze the meadow and maintain the valuable wet grassland. These meadows all build upon the success of the award winning Pinkhill Meadow, open since 1992. In 1993 it won an Oxfordshire Special Conservation Award and has also had the River Thames Society Award. The meadow was designed to complement the deep water of the reservoirs by providing shallow water, mudbanks, meadow and marshland to attract wildfowl, wading birds and otherwildlife not normally found in this area. All the 20,000 cubic metres of excavated material was carefully graded into a small hill near Pinkhill Lock and planted with native trees, shrubs and wild flowers. The birdwatching hide is suitable for wheelchair users. Contact the Wardens at Gate 3 for access or Tel 01865 863033. For more detail on the Nature Reserves click here Return to footpath - Return to top | |||||||||
Section 6 Text by John Campbell June 1987 Return to footpath 1. Start of Field Walk to Filchampstead Footpath 2. Across the High Ground 3. Along the road and into Bushy Leaze Copse 4. Down to Lower Whitley Farm and the meadows 5. The Nature Reserves 6. Pink Hill Lock to Farmoor Village 7. Return to the Car Park Return to top |
Pink Hill Lock to Farmoor VillageThe lock is surrounded by mature Chestnut and Willow trees. Along the river's edge leading to the weir the true Bullrush and Bur-reed grow in the shallower water. The field beyond the river and immediately upstream of the lock is yellow with buttercup flowers in early Spring. Many meadows are now treated with selective weedkillers, artificial fertilizers, and even ploughed and re-sown with modern grasses to produce a greater grass crop. Because of this such unimproved meadows have become noteworthy.On either side of the ditch by the reservoir road there are plants typical of old-fashioned meadows. Meadow Sweet grows here, with yellow flowered Meadow Pea, and short, dark yellow flowered Birdsfoot Trefoil. In Spring there are Ladies Smock and Cowslips, while later in the year the dark chestnut flowers of Greater Burnet appear. The caterpillars of such butterflies as Common Blue and Small Copper can find food here. Other butterflies, Ringlets and Meadow Browns are also to be found. From the hill it is worth scanning the fields at the edge of Wytham Wood, where Fallow Deer can sometimes be seen grazing. Closer to hand are the mole-hills, but the subterranean Moles are seldom seen. Hares also occur in this part of the reservoir complex. They live above ground at all times, having "forms'; small depressions in the ground and grass, where they rest. Over Farmoor village, Jackdaws are usually to be seen flying and Collared Doves are plentiful here amongst the bushes. As one leaves the reservoir area, there are plenty of planted Silver Birch trees and the Cockspur Thorn. The shrubland again gives food and shelter to many insects and birds. Return to footpath - Return to top | |||||||||
Section 7 Text by Nigel Vick Nov 2003 Return to footpath 1. Start of Field Walk to Filchampstead Footpath 2. Across the High Ground 3. Along the road and into Bushy Leaze Copse 4. Down to Lower Whitley Farm and the meadows 5. The Nature Reserves 6. Pink Hill Lock to Farmoor Village 7. Return to the Car Park Return to top |
Return to the Car ParkFrom Farmoor village we return to the car park by following the B4017 past the Treatment Works. Take care as cars travel quite fast along this stretch of road and whilst there is a grass verge it is tempting to walk on the road.The works were originally built by the Oxford Water Company and opened in 1967. They were supplied by the smaller reservoir only holding 4,544 Ml. In 1976 Farmoor 2 was completed. holding 29,298 Ml. In 1988 a 40kilometer trunk main was built from Farmoor to Swindon to supplement the supply at peak times. Development continued with the new advanced water treatment works completed in 1995 nearly doubling the area of the works. Farmoor 2 operates in conjunction with the sewage treatment works at Swinford. At least 135 million litres of water must pass Eynsham Lock each day. Average Farmoor/Swinford abstraction is 135 Ml/day. Current maximum output of treated water is 110Ml/d. See Treatment Works for more details. Once treated the water is pumped to a covered reservoir on Wytham Hill, from which it flows by gravity to supply 600,000 customers in Oxford and as far afield as Banbury, Abingdon, Thame, Witney and Swindon. Group visits to the treatment works can be arranged by calling 0845 9200 800. The farmhouse to the left dates back some 300 years, (the development around it is more recent the houses were completed in 1992 and the offices in 1998). The evidence of man’s occupation on the site of the reservoir was obtained from a five week rescue excavation in July 1974. They also found evidence of a settlement in the Middle Iron Age (C 300-200BC) consisting of enclosures and hut circles as well as large amounts of pottery. Roman pottery also showed the site to have been occupied from the mid second to the late fourth century AD. Though no buildings were positively identified a droveway, small fields and paddocks, a well, several coins and occupation rubbish were found. Preserved biological remains such as seeds lead to the conclusion that the Iron age settlements were probably seasonal whilst the Roman ones were probably more permanent. If you are walking down the road at twilight keep a good look out for the bats. There is a good roost in the trees edging the treatment works and it is not unusual to see them out hunting in the early evening. Using echo sounding they capture small flies and gnats - as many as 3,500 per night! In wither, when insects are scarce they hibernate in cool dark places lowering their body temperature and slowing their heartbeat to save energy. Bats usually mate in autumn, but females do not become pregnant until spring. They keep the males' sperm alive in their body whilst they hibernate. No other animals do this. In early summer the females gather in maternity roosts and give birth to single young. As you pass Gate 2 you will be able to see what was the National Rivers Authority (now the Environment Agency) storage depot. From here scientists go out most days to maintain and check the quality of the local rivers and water. We hope that you enjoyed the walk and will visit Farmoor again soon. Return to footpath - Return to top | |||||||||