Oxford offers a wide range of facilities for having fun and keeping fit . . .

ATHLETICS

The Horspath Road Athletics track is a state-of-the-art facility available to everyone. It aims to encourage both the beginner and expert to try their hand at track and field disciplines. There are facilities for disabled athletes, including accessible changing facilities and chair anchorage for field events. Organised coaching sessions are run by Oxford City Athletics Club, which uses Horspath Road as its home base. There is also a range of sports pitches at Horspath Road.
For more information, visit the website: www.oxford.gov.uk/leisure

ICE SKATING

Home to Oxford Stars Ice Hockey team and the Junior Figure Skating Club, Oxford Ice Rink is in Oxpens, a ten-minute walk from the city centre and railway station. There is a car park next to it. Open daily for sessions between 10am and noon and 2pm to 4pm. All sessions are open to skaters of any age and ability. Hire skates are available from toddler size 5 to adult size 14, and are included in the admission price. The afternoon session on Saturdays features disco lights and a DJ, as do some of the evening sessions. The rink is also home to the Oxford School of Skating, which offers lessons from BITA qualified instructors.
For full details and prices visit the website: www.oxford.gov.uk/leisure

SKATE PARKS

Meadow Lane recreation ground is home to one the best outdoor skate ramp facilities in the UK. Open to all and free to ride, the park serves hundreds of skaters and bikers from Oxford. There are also skate parks in Blackbird Leys Park, Fettiplace Recreation Ground, Barton, and Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park, Water Eaton Road.
To find out more, visit the Oxford Wheels Project website: www.owp.org.uk

STREET SPORTS

Street sport facilities are located in Barton at Tagg’s Gate, Botley Park, Cowley Marsh Park, Frys Hill (behind the Kassam Stadium), Holloway, Ridgefield Road, Richards Way in Risinghurst, Ashurst Way in Rose Hill and Northway Park.
For more details visit the website: www.oxford.gov.uk

SWIMMING AND GYMS

Oxford City Council offers free swimming for everyone under 17. All you need is a free Kids Slice card, which is available from your nearest council leisure facility.

Barton Pool is a new 25 metre, four-lane swimming pool in Waynflete Road, Barton, east Oxford, which also has a multi-activity room and fitness and dance studio. 01865 467290.

Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre is in Pegasus Road, east Oxford, five miles from the city centre. Activities at the leisure centre include fitness classes, badminton, basketball and five-a-side football. 01865 467020. Located a few minutes’ walk from the centre is the swimming pool, in Blackbird Leys Road. 01865 467040.

Ferry Sports Centre, situated in Diamond Place, Summertown, to the north of Oxford, includes a fitness suite, 25 metre, six-lane main pool, learner pool, dance studio, three squash courts, sports hall, therapy room, five-a-side football, basketball and volleyball. 01865 467060.

Temple Cowley Pools and Fitness centre, Temple Road, Cowley, is approximately two miles south east of the city centre. This modern centre offers a wide variety of facilities and activities, including a main pool, learner pool, 20-plus station gym, sauna and steam rooms and classes. 01865 467124/467110.

When the weather is nice, Hinksey Outdoor Pool is a must. It is situated in Hinksey Park, Lake Street, off the Abingdon Road, one mile south of the city centre. Facilities include a large outdoor heated swimming pool, relaxation area, outdoor play area, disabled toilet and changing facility and refreshments. 01865 46707.

TENNIS

There are many opportunities to play indoor and outdoor tennis in the city. The city council runs courts in the following parks:
Alexandra Park, Mondays to Sundays, noon to 7.30pm
Bury Knowle Park, Mondays to Fridays noon to 7.30pm and noon to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Cutteslowe Park, Mondays to Fridays noon to 7.30pm and 11am to 7pm, at the weekend
Florence Park, Mondays to Fridays noon to 7.30pm and noon to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Hinksey Park, Mondays to Fridays noon to 7.30pm and weekends noon to 6.30pm.

Bookings should be made in the kiosks next to the courts. When they are closed, the courts remain open and free to use.

For information about booking pitches for football, rugby, cricket or other sports, contact Oxford City Council’s sports booking office on 01865 252900.