a
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Landscape
and Wildlife notes
Point 1 In the verge
on the right of the path along Cheney Field, there are many flowers
to be seen over the course of the year. In spring, the brilliant
blue flowers of alkanet are close to the start of the path, with
yellow celandine and lords-and-ladies, with flower spikes in green
sheaths, further along. In autumn, lords-and-ladies bear spikes
of poisonous orange berries. Among the trees are horse chestnuts
with white "candles" of flowers in May. When the flowers
have been pollinated they develop pink colouring inside, a signal
to insects to look for other flowers.
Point
2 The bridge over the road was built in 1877 to
link the two parts of the large Morrell estate, the owners of Headington
Hall House for many years. The raised footpath, still used today,
was made around 1700 to level out the rough hollow-way which led
up from Oxford to the fields. The funds for this work were raised
from the University through the efforts of Josiah Pullen. The road
itself was a "new" road with the deep cutting constructed
in 1775 when the Stokenchurch Turnpike Trust diverted the road north
of its earlier route. Previously the main road into Oxford from
the east came over the steep climb of Shotover and continued along
the route of Old Road and Cheney Lane.
Point
3 Headington Park is another remnant of the Morrell's
estate, originally part of the ornamental grounds belonging to the
house. As you enter the park look for the Green Man on the metal
gates. A small building on the left is the old Dairy, again dating
from the Morrell's time. It is to be used as an art gallery for
Brookes and the City with a variety of events and exhibitions. It
will be left unmodernised to keep the link with the past.
Point
4 The yew tree near the entrance is an Irish yew
with upright branches and leaves all round the stem, so looks very
different to the usual spreading trees which can also be seen here.
Sticky pink yew berries are edible but the seeds and the rest of
the plant is poisonous. In medieval times, yews were often planted
in churchyards inaccessible to grazing animals but also to ward
off evil spirits. The wood was used for long bows, being strong
and flexible.The curator of Oxford Botanical Gardens planted a collection
of conifers here in the1850's as well as other unusual trees, such
as Japanese walnut and a foxglove tree (Paullownia) which has large
purple bells in May. Amongst recent planting is a flowering cherry
to commemorate victims of HIV.
Point
5 Leaving the park, the path goes uphill past Morrell
Hall and the allotments. Although most of the allotments are under
cultivation this is a useful open area for wildlife with plenty
of wild flowers for insects and birds. Allotments were provided
for the "labouring poor" to grow their food during the
19th century when open fields were enclosed.
Point
6 Pullen's Lane was named after Josiah Pullen who
was Vice-president of Magdalen Hall. He used towalk regularly to
the top of Headington Hill where the footpath came up from Oxford.
He planted an elm tree at the turning point of his walk, and both
the tree and the lane became known by his name. The tree burnt down
in 1909 but is commemorated in a plaque set in the wall in Pullen's
Lane.
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