Beckley and Stowood

Civil Parish in Oxfordshire South Oxfordshire

England

Beckley and Stowood

Oxford transmitting station, Beckley A television and radio station. — Oxford transmitting station, Beckley Credit: Robin Webster

Beckley and Stowood is a civil parish located in the county of Oxfordshire, England. Situated about 6 miles northeast of the historic city of Oxford, the parish encompasses the villages of Beckley and Stowood.

Beckley, the larger of the two villages, is nestled in the rolling countryside of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. It is characterized by its picturesque thatched cottages, charming countryside views, and a sense of tranquility. The village is home to a close-knit community, with several community events and activities taking place throughout the year. It boasts a village hall, a primary school, a village shop, and a traditional pub, providing essential amenities for its residents.

Stowood, on the other hand, is a smaller village located to the east of Beckley. It is known for its beautiful rural setting, with open fields and woodlands surrounding the area. The village is primarily residential, offering a peaceful and idyllic environment for its inhabitants.

Both villages benefit from their proximity to Oxford, allowing residents to enjoy the amenities and cultural offerings of the city while still enjoying the tranquility of village life. The area also offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities, with scenic walking and cycling routes nearby.

Overall, Beckley and Stowood offer a charming and picturesque living environment, combining the beauty of the countryside with the convenience of nearby urban amenities.

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Beckley and Stowood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.794237/-1.18319 or Grid Reference SP5610. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Oxford transmitting station, Beckley

A television and radio station.

Robin Webster

The Closes, RSPB Otmoor

An area of wet grassland. Ot Moor was first drained in 1816 and had been divided up into fields by 1830. Since 1997 the RSPB have been recreating wetlands here.

Christine Johnstone

Managed land, RSPB Otmoor

A lot of shrubs have been cut down to ground level.

Christine Johnstone

No entry to a conservation area, RSPB Otmoor

Ot Moor was first drained in 1816 and had been divided up into fields by 1830. Since 1997 the RSPB have been recreating wetlands here.

Christine Johnstone

Bench with a view of Moorleys, RSPB Otmoor

Ot Moor was first drained in 1816 and had been divided up into fields by 1830. Since 1997 the RSPB have been recreating wetlands here.

Christine Johnstone

Screened permissive path, RSPB Otmoor

Close to the Wetlands Watch building. Ot Moor was first drained in 1816 and had been divided up into fields by 1830. Since 1997 the RSPB have been recreating wetlands here.

Christine Johnstone

Ashgrave, west from the Wetlands Watch, RSPB Otmoor

Ot Moor was first drained in 1816 and had been divided up into fields by 1830. Since 1997 the RSPB have been recreating wetlands here.

Christine Johnstone

Ashgrave, north from the Wetlands Watch, RSPB Otmoor

Ot Moor was first drained in 1816 and had been divided up into fields by 1830. Since 1997 the RSPB have been recreating wetlands here.

Christine Johnstone

Ashgrave, south from the Wetlands Watch, RSPB Otmoor

Ot Moor was first drained in 1816 and had been divided up into fields by 1830. Since 1997 the RSPB have been recreating wetlands here.

Christine Johnstone

Screened path from the Wetlands Watch, RSPB Otmoor

Ot Moor was first drained in 1816 and had been divided up into fields by 1830. Since 1997 the RSPB have been recreating wetlands here.

Christine Johnstone

Bridleway on the route of a Roman road, near RSPB Otmoor

Looking north.

Woodperry Manor

Folly Farm

Beckley

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Beckley

Colin Bates

Roman road near Beckley

The roman road across Otmoor is a bridleway. This section is between the RSPB reserve and the military firing range.

David Hawgood

Bulrushes, ditch and marsh on Otmoor

View from bridleway, which is also the RSPB visitor trail. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are converting this area back from drained arable land to grazing marsh and reedbed with ditches and pools.

David Hawgood

Azure damselflies in tandem on Otmoor

"They are Azure Damselflies (Coenagrion puella), which are very similar to Common Blue and also very common. The main difference is the shape of the marking at the top of the abdomen (just under the wing bases). In Azure this is 'rugby post' shaped whereas Common Blue has a club-shaped mark (most blue damselfly species differ mostly by their markings in this area). Another difference, also shown in the photo, is the black marks on the side of the thorax (going down from the wing bases) which are absent on Common Blue." This quote is from Hugh Venables, who identified these dragonflies. My photo SP5612 : Rose bush and RSPB visitor trail on Otmoor shows the dogrose bush they were on, and SP5612 : Bulrushes, ditch and marsh on Otmoor shows the drainage ditch near them on the RSPB Otmoor reserve. See Open University nature trail web pages Link

for an explanation of how this mating of dragonflies works.