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Group Walks Along the Canal This comment about the Oxford Canal from a Victorian novel still rings true today. A step or two along the towpath and the 21st-century bustle of Oxford is soon forgotten. This is a calmer, gentler world of trees and water, boats and swans, anglers and birdsong, and still the "half town and half country" of a poem of the early 1900s. If the canal in Oxford still provides glimpses of its unchanged past, the Thames is even more timeless. In the 1790s a boat passenger found "scenes which the most playful imagination could not hope to find in a navigable river, winding round a large and populous city". Such 'scenes' still exist. The river is most notable for its picturesque views and changing moods, the canal for the stirring story of its survival. Both waterways are testimonies to the many individuals - resourceful, eccentric, or notorious - who have shaped the precious and vibrant 'living heritage' we see today. Want to know more? Then come on the only Oxford tour of its kind with historian, author, publisher, and long-term canalboat resident, Mark Davies.“Thank you so much for doing such an interesting River/Canal walk for our members. We had an excellent turnout and it seemed to be greatly enjoyed by everybody.” “Thank you for leading the excellent Castle and River Walk. I heard many appreciative comments as we were going around.” “An extremely fascinating insight into the Castle’s history. Mark Davies’ knowledge of this, and relevant 18th-century social history, was very impressive.” "Just a note to say how much I enjoyed the walk - the history is riveting! Many thanks." "Just wanted to say thank you for the very interesting walk yesterday and to say how interesting and useful I found your book. All in all it was a very fruitful day." |
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