Aston's Eyot

Aston's Eyot is a river island in Oxford bordered by the Thames, Cherwell, and Shirelake Ditch, spanning approximately 33 acres. The terrain consists of woodland and open scrubland areas that provide various habitats for wildlife.

Christ Church College purchased the island in 1891 and it became Oxford City's dumping ground for waste from the early 1900s through the late 1940s. This period of industrial use left lasting marks on the physical structure of the land.

The name Eyot comes from Old English meaning small island, reflecting its geographical form. Today visitors can see how the land has been shaped by human activity and serves as a living record of changing relationships with nature.

Access is available through Jackdaw Lane and volunteers can join conservation activities organized by the Friends of Aston's Eyot group. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the ground can become boggy after rainfall.

The historical waste dumping raised ground level by roughly one to two meters, creating an accidental flood barrier in higher areas. This unexpected byproduct of waste management still shapes the island's landscape and ecology today.

GPS coordinates: 51.74170,-1.24555

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:07