Former medical researcher Elizabeth Adams loves to go on a circular walk which has been her ‘saviour’ during lockdown.

Dr Adams, from Marston, worked at The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology at Oxford University for 20 years before she retired.

Since 2002 she has been a member of Oxford Fieldpaths Society and is the current chairwoman.

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One of Dr Adams’ favourite walks is about 4.7 miles long and takes in parts of north Oxford and Headington.

Elizabeth Adams is chairwoman of the Oxford Fieldpaths Society Picture: Elizabeth Adams

Elizabeth Adams is chairwoman of the Oxford Fieldpaths Society Picture: Elizabeth Adams

She said: “There’s fantastic camaraderie in the society and I would urge people to get involved.

“The lockdowns have given people an opportunity to discover the countryside on their doorstep as they have been spending more time at home.

The society’s organised walks have started up again, with social distancing.”

Describing her regular route, Dr Adams said: “This is an urban walk which was my saviour during lockdown, encompassing three of Oxford’s parks.

“All three are well wooded, at this time of year there is plenty of new blossom and green leaves, birds singing and if you are lucky, otters in the river.”

The walk starts at the gate at Norham Gardens in the University Park.

Walkers then take the path straight ahead and walk to the pond, follow the river down to the gate leading onto the cycle track, turn left and cross the river and at the gate on the right turn into Mesopotamia.

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Dr Adams said the original description of Mesopotamia was the land between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, in the Middle East but in Oxford it refers to land between two parts of the River Cherwell.

Swans at Mesopotamia Walk: Picture: Andy Wood

Swans at Mesopotamia Walk: Picture: Andy Wood

She added: “Cross the bridge over the river and follow the concrete path up, past Kings Mill to the Marston Road. Cross the road and enter Headington Hill Park, follow the path up to the circular path and turn left, walking past the front of Headington Hill House down the hill and leave the park at the bottom of Headington Hill, cross the road and enter South Park.

“The track is mostly grass and can be muddy in parts.”

She added that walkers can then choose which way they go around the park.

Dr Adams said: “Stop at the top the hill to admire the iconic views of Oxford’s colleges.

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“Returning to from South Park to Headington Hill Park take the lower path and exit the park from the same gate that you entered, cross back across Marston Road and retrace your steps along Mesopotamia, re-enter the university park and take the path to your left and follow the path past the Science labs back to the starting point.”

Cherry trees blossoming at Headington Hill Picture: Elizabeth Adams

Cherry trees blossoming at Headington Hill Picture: Elizabeth Adams

Dr Adams added: “At the moment South Park is looking beautiful with the cherry tree blossom and last summer there was a family of swans on the Kings Mill Stream.”

For more visit ofs.org.uk.