Marc West escapes the hustle and bustle of the city to experience Oxford Wild Walks – part of a fortnight of nature events

It is said, that in London you are never more than six feet away from a rat. Who knows if the old adage is true of our fair city too (I hope not).

But, what I do now know, is that you don’t have to look very much further to encounter urban wildlife of a much more agreeable nature.

In fact, there’s a whole host of flora, fauna and furry friends right under our very noses – including rare birds, exotic butterflies and even…a snake!

On what felt like the first day of summer (finally), I set off for a walk on the wild side – part of Oxford Festival of Nature’s fortnight-long programme of events across the city.

New Walk across Christ Church Meadow towards the river, is a route I’ve enjoyed many times before, but today something felt different – I was focusing more on the natural beauty surrounding me.

Within just a few steps, the hustle and bustle of the city centre felt very far away – and then I came face-to-face with the college’s Longhorn Cattle who were grazing – alongside the picnic-ers and punters – in the sunshine on the ancient pasture land alongside Ol’ Father Thames…oops, I mean the Isis (only in Oxford, eh!) Passing the oldest botanic gardens in Britain, I head to the utter tranquility of Holywell Cemetery. It’s a haven for foxes, hedgehogs and over 170 flowering plants have been recorded there. I sit and rest awhile besides the grave of author Kenneth Grahame and feel at one with nature as the wind blows in the willows.

On next to the Mesopotamia – where wild things of a different species are enjoying this most magical of spots.

A gaggle of graduates are celebrating their success with some light refreshments and a pair of them are enjoying a game of Pooh Sticks from a small bridge over the Cherwell.

Then, out of the corner of my eye – a flash of colour. It wasn’t a plane…and it certainly wasn’t Superman.

It was in fact a bird – I’d been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a heron.

Now stood majestically as still a statue amongst the pond reeds, as a small crowd gathered with me to watch this captivating sight.

The “treemendous” West Walk (see what I did there!) back towards Parks Road is lined by north American Sequoiadendron Gigateum – or Giant Redwood to you and I.

The symphony of birdsong high up above on this stretch of the walk is a pleasant alternative to the usual humdrum of the city and the feelings of well-being this gives are clear.

My meanderings culminate at what is a veritable temple to the natural world. Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History does exactly what is says on the tin.

The world-famous institution’s Gothic tower has been home to 147 swift nesting boxes since 1948 and their migration patterns have been closely studied ever since.

Oxford Mail:

You can even watch the winged wonders Big Brother-style via a live link-up inside.

And, don’t forget, once you’ve finished the five-mile trail, tweet a picture of yourself next to the Charles Darwin plinth (to @bbowt) for your chance to win a hamper full of wildlife-related goodies. Paying a pilgrimage to the Dodo in the Museum’s collection I couldn’t help but ponder what an apt lesson from history this relic is and just how important it is for us to protect the natural world around us.

Oh, and I bet you’re wondering about the snake? Well, it’s actually a fountain in the War Memorial Garden off St Aldate’s. In all the years I’ve walked that way I’ve never noticed the slimy serpent spewing water from it’s mouth.

So, it just goes to show that if you keep focused there’s much more to behold than initially meets the eye.

The Wild Walk is part of Oxford Festival of Nature’s fortnight-long programme of events across the city. The highlight is this Saturday’s Wild Fair – featuring creepy crawlies, live crocodiles and OX4’s hottest new design duo Movvers who will be live-painting a woodland-themed mural (with your help) throughout the day.

For all details visit oxfordfestivalofnature.org