Thrupp/Radley Lakes 2015 update, Radley, Oxfordshire

Approx time: 1 hours
Paths: cycle path/footpath
Points of interest: lake, wildlife
Amenities: none on route unless you follow my old route from Abbey Meadows
Grading: any type of pushchair
Weather: most weather except after very heavy rainfall

In 2010 we blogged about our walk to Radley Lakes from Abingdon, this was just as Earth Trust took over management of the lakes and developed it into not just a wildlife haven but also an area for people to visit.


We took a very damp and wet walk just before Easter to see how things have progressed since. A lot of work has been done over the years by the trust and also volunteers and things have changed for the better, with more planned in the future.

view across the lake

This time we parked on the edge of Abingdon Science park (Barton Lane) right beside the cycle/foot path towards the lakes. There was limited parking beside the lakes, a few verges on the road in front of the entrance so to us the science park was a better choice.

quite wide open footpaths along some of the route

There are plenty of signs to direct you around the circular route of the lake now where as before you could not get very close, just peered over a fence between trees. Until you start walking round you do not realise how large a lake it is. Quite vast in size but a real haven for wildlife. There were various tracks around the lake, mud, gravel, and a board walk. The swans came so close to us whilst we were on the bridge. There was a bird hide to sit and watch from, but it was such a murky day the ducks we could see all seemed the same.

Canada Geese

There were plenty of places where you could get close to the waters edge for pond dipping, or testing new wellington boots water tightness as Charlotte demonstrated.

perfect for pond (child) dipping!

We were surprised by how many people we met on our walk round, runners, families, walkers and bird watchers. It was lovely to see the place so busy and well used.
Sadly all my photos are pretty dreadful because of the weather and aside from some daffodils I didn't spot any other spring flowers but I'm sure with the fine weather we have just had it will be looking more colourful now.

route signs

The Friends of Radley Lakes keep a very updated website with lots of details of the site, wildlife and stunning photos. Earth Trust also have information about the walk and a downloadable map of the walk.