Raleigh Park, Oxfordshire
Encyclopedia
Raleigh Park is a park of about 27 acres (109,265.2 m²) in North Hinksey
, Oxfordshire
(formerly in Berkshire
). The land was formerly part of the estates of the Harcourt
family. The land was sold in 1924 to Raymond ffennell, then owner of Wytham
Abbey, who gave it to the City of Oxford
for use as a park. It was named in honour of Professor Sir Walter Raleigh
, who lived nearby on Harcourt Hill
and died in 1922.
Although the park lies in the green belt
outside the city boundary, it is managed by Oxford City Council as a nature reserve and recreational park. It is on rising ground, giving views over the city of Oxford
.
North Hinksey
North Hinksey , is a small civil parish in county Berkshire, 2 miles west of Oxford, and 5 miles north of of Abingdon,situated on the right bank of the Isis...
, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
(formerly in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
). The land was formerly part of the estates of the Harcourt
House of Harcourt
The House of Harcourt is a Norman family, descended from the Viking Bernard the Dane and named after its seigneurie of Harcourt in Normandy. Its mottos were "Gesta verbis praeveniant" , "Gesta verbis praevenient" , and "Le bon temps viendra .....
family. The land was sold in 1924 to Raymond ffennell, then owner of Wytham
Wytham
Wytham is a village and civil parish on Seacourt Stream, a branch of the River Thames, about northwest of Oxford. It is just west of the Western By-Pass Road, part of the Oxford Ring Road ....
Abbey, who gave it to the City of Oxford
Oxford City Council
The Oxford City Council provides local government for the city of Oxford in England.- Overview :Between the 2004 local elections, and 2010 the council was in minority administration, first by councillors from the Labour Party, with the Liberal Democrats being the official opposition...
for use as a park. It was named in honour of Professor Sir Walter Raleigh
Walter Raleigh (professor)
Professor Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh was an English scholar, poet and author.He was born in London, the fifth child and only son of a local Congregationalist minister...
, who lived nearby on Harcourt Hill
Harcourt Hill
Harcourt Hill is a hill and community in North Hinksey in Oxfordshire, England, west of the city of Oxford. There is a good view of the city from the hill. It lies between Hinksey Hill to the southeast, Boars Hill to the south and Botley to the north...
and died in 1922.
Although the park lies in the green belt
Green Belt (UK)
In United Kingdom town planning, the green belt is a policy for controlling urban growth. The idea is for a ring of countryside where urbanisation will be resisted for the foreseeable future, maintaining an area where agriculture, forestry and outdoor leisure can be expected to prevail...
outside the city boundary, it is managed by Oxford City Council as a nature reserve and recreational park. It is on rising ground, giving views over the city of Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
.