Port Meadow is wonderful. In summer you can go swimming in the river. In winter you can go skating on the frozen flood water.

You can walk round it, walk across it and into town along the river bank or go up river to the Trout Inn at Wolvercote. You also used to be able to have a Sunday stroll over to the Perch at Binsey to enjoy a drink and something to eat. Sadly The Perch caught fire last year and it is still being rebuilt.

In the summer you should be able to hire rowing boats and punts from Bossums boatyard - who also sell ice creams. There is even a sailing club to join.

And if you are really hungry you can try catching crayfish by dangling bits of meat tied to a long piece of string into the water by the bridges.

Do be warned that the river does flood and the paths can be muddy and very dangerous if it has been raining a lot.

One of the jewels in the crown of Jericho. A staggering expanse of land which enables you to forget the city (without leaving it) and have a bucolic fix. Whether you are watching a gorgeous sunset, communing with cows or flying a kite, you cannot fail to appreciate the natural beauty of this place.

Port Meadow is one of my favourite places in Oxford. You can see the famous dreaming spires of the city and the houses of nearby areas, but it's completely natural and unspoilt. There are inconspicuous paths for those who don't want to get their feet muddy and huge areas of grass for those who just don't care. There are dog-walkers, joggers, nature enthusiasts and romantic couples, all getting their own enjoyment from the sight of grass, wild flowers, cows and horses. There's a wildlife sanctuary near the allotments with uncut grass, trees and dears, and the canal to the East and the river to the West, so it's easily accessed from towpaths. The big thing to watch out for is flooding, as it does serve as a floodplain. The big lake that's so often there is not a permanent feature! Best enjoyed at sunset for peace and quiet and true natural beauty.