WOCA
WOCA – the West Oxford Community Association – runs the West Oxford Community Centre, a focus for many of the local activities which make West Oxford a fine place to live, work or visit. The Community Centre, set just across the Botley Road from St Frideswide’s Church, is open all day to everyone. It has a large hall for sports or bigger meetings, a number of smaller multifunctional rooms, and a popular community cafe with sunny patio which overlooks the sports facilities of Botley Park. The building also houses the West Oxford Health Centre. For more information about its facilities and the many activities that take place there, please visit the WOCA website.
About Osney Island
Osney Island is one of Oxford’s best-kept secrets. Located to the west of the city only minutes from the railway station and just off the busy Botley Road, it’s a small ‘village’ of some 300 households surrounded on all sides by the Thames and the Osney Stream.
Walk over the footbridge and drop down to the Island you are immediately in another world with boats, wildlife and the tranquillity of the river. It really is an island in the centre of Oxford.
Shaped like an old-fashioned belt buckle, streets named after the points of the compass provide its frame with Bridge St the prong in the middle. Most of the houses are small terraced homes – but you’d be amazed how inventive people have been in making the most of small spaces.
The population of Osney Island is an eclectic mix of people. Some have been born and bred here, others are commuters, academics, artists. We all enjoy the very special community spirit.