Back Water

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Oxfordshire South Oxfordshire

England

Back Water

The Charter The Charter in the centre of Abingdon. The building on the right is the multi storey car park
The Charter Credit: Nigel Mykura

Back Water, located in Oxfordshire, is a picturesque freshwater marshland encompassing a lake, pool, pond, and marsh. It is a serene natural habitat known for its diverse flora and fauna and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.

The centerpiece of Back Water is the expansive lake, which stretches across the landscape, providing a tranquil setting for visitors. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and tall reeds, creating a haven for various bird species. Birdwatchers flock to Back Water to catch glimpses of the many resident and migratory birds, such as herons, grebes, and ducks, that inhabit the area.

Adjacent to the lake is a smaller pool, which acts as a sheltered spot for aquatic plants and small fish. This pool is a haven for amphibians like frogs and toads, which can often be spotted basking in the sun or lazily swimming in the crystal-clear water.

A charming pond lies nearby, offering a different ecosystem characterized by floating lily pads and vibrant water lilies. This pond is teeming with life, hosting a variety of fish and insects, attracting dragonflies and butterflies to its banks.

Finally, the freshwater marshland at Back Water is a vital component of its ecosystem. It is an area of soft, muddy ground that supports unique plant species like sedges and rushes. The marsh acts as a natural water filter, purifying the water that flows into the lake and sustaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

Back Water in Oxfordshire is a haven for nature lovers, offering a diverse range of habitats that support an abundance of wildlife. Its tranquil surroundings and rich biodiversity make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat into nature.

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Back Water Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.667035/-1.257373 or Grid Reference SU5196. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Charter The Charter in the centre of Abingdon. The building on the right is the multi storey car park
The Charter
The Charter in the centre of Abingdon. The building on the right is the multi storey car park
Basketball Play Area Basketball play area by Appledore Drive
Basketball Play Area
Basketball play area by Appledore Drive
Path to Barrow Hills Path to Barrow Hills by Saint Peter's Road
Path to Barrow Hills
Path to Barrow Hills by Saint Peter's Road
End of the platform, Culham Station Looking northwards along the railway towards Oxford. On the right you can see one of the old WW2 aircraft hangars on the old Culham Airfield site. Now a business estate, a fair number of the original wartime buildings are still being used.
End of the platform, Culham Station
Looking northwards along the railway towards Oxford. On the right you can see one of the old WW2 aircraft hangars on the old Culham Airfield site. Now a business estate, a fair number of the original wartime buildings are still being used.
Abingdon Market Place: late March 2022
Abingdon Market Place: late March 2022
WH Smith, Bury Street: late March 2022
WH Smith, Bury Street: late March 2022
Shoppers in Bury Street
Shoppers in Bury Street
March 2022: shops in the High Street
March 2022: shops in the High Street
Looking westwards along the High Street
Looking westwards along the High Street
Approaching the junction of West St Helens Street and the High Street
Approaching the junction of West St Helens Street and the High Street
Cyclist in West St Helens Street
Cyclist in West St Helens Street
Looking from West St Helens Street towards Hive Mews
Looking from West St Helens Street towards Hive Mews
Looking northwards in West St Helens Street
Looking northwards in West St Helens Street
Looking from West St Helens Street into St Edmunds Lane
Looking from West St Helens Street into St Edmunds Lane
Apartments in St Edmunds Lane
Apartments in St Edmunds Lane
Abingdon railway station (site), Oxfordshire Opened in 1856 by the Abingdon Railway, later part of the Great Western Railway, this was the terminus of a short branch which left the Paddington-Oxford line south of Radley. The station closed to passengers in 1963 and completely in 1984.
View west towards the buffers. This viewpoint would have been just beyond the end of the single passenger platform, which would have run straight ahead. A goods yard was to the left of the image. The site is mostly a supermarket, but Abbey Close cuts across the site between the platform and the site of the station building. No trace remains.
Abingdon railway station (site), Oxfordshire
Opened in 1856 by the Abingdon Railway, later part of the Great Western Railway, this was the terminus of a short branch which left the Paddington-Oxford line south of Radley. The station closed to passengers in 1963 and completely in 1984. View west towards the buffers. This viewpoint would have been just beyond the end of the single passenger platform, which would have run straight ahead. A goods yard was to the left of the image. The site is mostly a supermarket, but Abbey Close cuts across the site between the platform and the site of the station building. No trace remains.
Abingdon railway station (site), Oxfordshire Opened in 1856 by the Abingdon Railway, later part of the Great Western Railway, this was the terminus of a short branch which left the Paddington-Oxford line south of Radley. The station closed to passengers in 1963 and completely in 1984.
View east from near the buffers along the single passenger platform, which would probably have run straight through the grey doors. The site is now mostly a supermarket, but Abbey Close in the foreground cuts across the site between the platform and the site of the station building (behind the camera position). No trace remains.
Abingdon railway station (site), Oxfordshire
Opened in 1856 by the Abingdon Railway, later part of the Great Western Railway, this was the terminus of a short branch which left the Paddington-Oxford line south of Radley. The station closed to passengers in 1963 and completely in 1984. View east from near the buffers along the single passenger platform, which would probably have run straight through the grey doors. The site is now mostly a supermarket, but Abbey Close in the foreground cuts across the site between the platform and the site of the station building (behind the camera position). No trace remains.
Former County Hall, Abingdon - south elevation This was the former Berkshire County Hall until Reading replaced Abingdon as county town in 1867. Abingdon itself became part of Oxfordshire following boundary changes in 1974 and Berkshire County Council ceased to exist in 1998, although the county continues to have ceremonial status. The building dates from 1678-82 and today houses a museum. Seen here is the tower that carries a staircase up several flights.
Former County Hall, Abingdon - south elevation
This was the former Berkshire County Hall until Reading replaced Abingdon as county town in 1867. Abingdon itself became part of Oxfordshire following boundary changes in 1974 and Berkshire County Council ceased to exist in 1998, although the county continues to have ceremonial status. The building dates from 1678-82 and today houses a museum. Seen here is the tower that carries a staircase up several flights.
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Back Water is located at Grid Ref: SU5196 (Lat: 51.667035, Lng: -1.257373)

Administrative County: Oxfordshire

District: South Oxfordshire

Police Authority: Thames Valley

What 3 Words

///shade.strain.send. Near Abingdon, Oxfordshire

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Culham Brake Back Water

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.667035,-1.257373
Created By: Merkaartor 0.13
Lat/Long: 51.6697977/-1.2604895
Created By: Merkaartor 0.13
Lat/Long: 51.6677784/-1.2589859
Waterway: weir
Lat/Long: 51.6665684/-1.2578525
Ele: 40.0202637
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 51.6662511/-1.2589477
Bench
Ele: 41.7025146
Lat/Long: 51.6685868/-1.2593714
Ele: 41.7025146
Lat/Long: 51.6684521/-1.2593319
Ele: 42.4235840
Lat/Long: 51.6673724/-1.257805
Ele: 42.1832275
Lat/Long: 51.667153/-1.2548097
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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