Route and guide put together by Catherine
This is a circular physical and mental health walk covering the key sites and activities of Marston Community Growing. It begins at Court Place Farm Allotments and ends at the Red Lion Pub. Parking is available at Court Place Farm Car Park.
A group tour may wish to end with a social event - under the oak tree at the Forest Garden, the Red Lion Pub, or for an extra 15-minute walk – the Victoria Arms, situated on the river Cherwell. Both pubs are good, community-minded pubs.
If you wish to eat food from or volunteer at any of the community gardens on this tour, please ask Marston Community Growing. We prioritise sharing our food with those who volunteer in these gardens and those who need it most. Thank you for your understanding.
The Google Maps route for this walk is here.
1. Marston Community Growing Allotments, Old Marston, Oxford OX3 0PP
Marston Community Growing is a volunteer-led community gardening group in Marston, Oxford, started in 2018 by local residents and volunteers. The allotment group brings local people together to grow food in an organic, sustainable way— through friendly, practical sessions.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced grower, you’re welcome. You can come for an hour, an afternoon, or more regularly.
You can ‘adopt’ a small raised bed for a suggested donation of £2 per year and grow your own food. In addition, there are bi-monthly communal gardening sessions on the 2nd and last Sunday of the month from 2-5 pm where you can volunteer to help manage the communal areas of this community garden. Sometimes Ruth kindly provides tea and cakes – so you could time your walk to fit in with this!
2. Marston Forest Garden, Oxford OX3 0PP
Marston Forest Garden is an edible ecosystem in Marston, Oxford. Forest gardeners come together to grow fruit and nut trees with shrubs, herbs and ground-cover plants. We care about community, nature and legacy for future generations — sharing our produce and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy and join in (no experience needed).
In the summer of 2019, Marston Forest Garden hired six overgrown plots at Court Place Farm Allotments. Drawing on their knowledge of permaculture, ecology, gardening and climate adaptation — and later supported by additional volunteers — they invested time, resources and labour to establish a sustainable food-growing system for the community.
Take time to listen, look, smell and breathe in the peaceful mood of the forest garden. You are welcome to sit under the oak tree, on the benches and take a moment to be part of nature.
3. Oxsrad Community Copse, Old Marston, Oxford OX3 0NQ
The ‘copse’ is a strip of native woodland trees near Marsh Lane, New Marston. It was planted and cared for by local groups working together, including New Marston Primary School, Oxford City Football Club, OXSRAD, Oxford Hindu Temple and Northway Together.
It was created in 2022 to improve the air quality and climate resilience of Marston.
The tree-planting event was supported by equipment, saplings and mulch from Oxford City Council.
Local volunteers mulch, water and plant bulbs throughout the year.
4. Northway Community Garden, Oxford OX3 9RF
The Northway Community Centre kitchen, which you can see through the glass wall nearby, hosts Northway Together CIC's Community Breakfast on Tuesday mornings. This is a free, friendly, relaxed café and includes good, local, healthy food and a place for neighbours to connect to each other. Volunteers to help with the café are welcome.
Northway Arts & Gardening Club was created in collaboration by Northway Together and Marston Community Growing volunteers. It is a place where people can connect with each other and nature within a city estate. It is run by a group of local residents and volunteers who care about our environment and green spaces in Northway. By combining community food growing with art, writing and making, regular workshops encourage shared ownership and collaboration.
Plants, people and creative practices all evolve together here. The garden at Northway Community Centre changes with the seasons, and so does the programme — shaped by the local people who take part and the interests of the local community.
This garden has a strong partnership with Northway Together (CIC) and Northway Community Centre. The group also works with other local organisations and schools.
5. New Marston Rec Community Wood, Headington, Oxford OX3 0RJ
Planted in 2020, Marston Community Growing brought together Oxford Friends of the Earth, Oxford City Council’s tree team and local volunteers to plant 650 native trees here - with 120+ people joining in. The event was supported by equipment and saplings provided by Oxford City Council. It is now a thriving woodland around the football field and playground at New Marston Rec., Croft Road, New Marston.
During the record-breaking heatwaves in the summer of 2026, a small number of trees caught fire. Fortunately, the fire was quickly extinguished, and the community rallied around to replant the affected trees and care for the community wood.
6. Orchard Triangle Community Orchard, Old Marston, Headington, Oxford OX3 0SP
This is another hidden gem; a peaceful wild place inbetween busy roads and walkways. The small community orchard and edible green space between New Marston and Summertown, open for everyone to enjoy. It is near Marston Ferry Road with access near Raymund Road, close to St Nicholas Primary School and the Swan School. It is owned and managed by Old Marston Parish Council
What’s growing: fruit trees and hedges planted in 2018 by our volunteers and children from St Nicholas Primary School. You’ll find apple, pear, plum, cherry and fig, plus blackberry and raspberry canes and rhubarb.
7. The Red Lion, Old Marston, Oxford, 42 Oxford Rd, Oxford OX3 0PH
Marston Community Growing holds committee meetings in the Red Lion Pub several times a year.
Enjoyed the walk and fancy getting involved with us? Perhaps to help care for a patch of the orchard, copse or woodland? Or become a Guardian for any corner, tree or plot that you have seen? Contact us to find out how at info@marstoncommunitygrowing.co.uk
