The Dog Friendly Map
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Days Out Are For Dogs Too
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You’ll spot our Recommended Partner badge on some listings (opposite the venue name)
That’s our way of flagging the places that go further — beyond “dogs allowed”, with a genuinely warm welcome for dogs inside.
Last Updated:
16 Jun 2026
C S Lewis Nature Reserve is a quietly lovely patch of Oxford nature, tucked into Risinghurst and built around a large pond and steeply rising woodland. What makes it especially interesting is that this land once belonged to C.S. Lewis, and the reserve still carries that tucked-away, storybook kind of stillness despite being surrounded by houses and close to the A40.
The pond was once a flooded Victorian clay pit and now supports aquatic plants, spring toads, summer dragonflies and nesting water birds, while the woodland canopy brings beech, oak, birch, alder, ash and hawthorn into the mix. It is not vast, but that almost adds to the charm.
A calm, characterful nature stop for wandering, birdwatching and pretending the city has melted a little further into the background than it really has.
Good to know:
Water bowls available
Treats available
Doggy Menu available
Dog Policy:
Dogs are welcome for a wander, but this is very much a sniff-and-stroll nature spot rather than an off-lead zoomie arena. Leads are the sensible choice here so wildlife, birds and everyone else get to enjoy the peace as well.
