Welcome on behalf of the Glow Worms and Water Voles of the Trap Grounds. Here you can discover what makes this patch of wilderness in suburban north Oxford so special, and why we campaigned all the way to the House of Lords to register it as a Town Green.
Click on the relevant pages to find a full list of the threatened and protected species that live on the site … the texts of the legal verdicts in the Public Inquiry, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the House of Lords … and details of how you can join The Friends Of The Trap Grounds and help to preserve six acres of reed bed and scrub land for conservation, recreation, and education.
The site lies between the canal and the railway line, immediately south of the Frenchay Road canal bridge (off Woodstock Road) at grid ref. SP 503081 (see map). An information board marks the entrance to the site, at the start of a track called Frog Lane. Click here for a map of the habitats and other features.
Latest News
Join us on Wednesday 1st May to enjoy early-morning birdsong on the Trap Grounds. When the Morris Dancing outside The Anchor Inn ends at 7 am, meet us on the canal bridge in Aristotle Lane for a short walk led by… Read the rest »
In March 2013 we launched a two-year survey of the wildlife of the Trap Grounds. The survey will involve both professional and amateur reporters, helping to compile an up-to-date picture of all the flora and fauna present on the site…. Read the rest »
By popular demand we have reprinted two of our original greetings cards, depicting a Swan admiring its own reflection on the Trap Grounds pond, and Primroses flowering in the woodland. Information about the history of the site is printed on the reverse. The cards, with… Read the rest »
Our next work party will be a Rubbish Blitzon Saturday 9th March.We will need an army of volunteers to clear broken glass, old sinks, and rusty metal from the southern woodland and meadows. Please come any time between 10 am… Read the rest »
Recent Sightings
- Mick and Catherine: Four types of bat identified with a detector: Noctule (20 kHz), Daubenton (30 kHz), Common Pipistrelle (45 kHz), Soprano Pipistrelle ...
- Mick Winter: Slow Worms mating. Female Sparrowhawk on nest.
- Alan Allport: A grass-snake in the Sycamore Glade.
- Catherine Robinson: Six slow-worms (one adult, five juveniles) under mats on the meadow.
- Eric Lawrence: Saw some small sloworms under a couple of the felt matts near the heaps of grass.