Binsey

Binsey is one of a number of areas of Oxford that's cut off by the river or railway, or in this case both. Osney Island is another self-containted region, Wolvercote is bisected by the rail and canal, Blackbird Leys and Littlemore are separated from the main Oxford sprawl by the ring road and a different railway, in fact it's a wonder Oxford hangs together as a city at all. The upside, of course, is that different areas still retain their own character.

Binsey plays a big part in the invention of Alice in Wonderland. Charles Dodgson took the Liddell sisters on boat trips, and Binsey was one of their destinations. In the church yard the holy well is the original Treacle Well, after the medieval meaning of "treacle", as "healing unguent".

Thatched pub The Perch had an unfortunate habit of burning down every few years, earning it a nickname of The Kipper. We hope it's outgrown that habit now. Its beautiful location and excellent food mean it's very popular, particularly with people strolling across Port Meadow to reach it from the city.

Medley Manor fruit farm is also worth visiting, from the earliest Asparagus season through to late autumn. You can pick your own strawberries, and take tea in the tea tent from a variety of vintage china. Medley Sailing Club makes use of the river at Binsey, sharing it with fishing, swimming, narrowboats, dogs getting some good wet exercise, sketchers, poets, those beset by essay or romantic crises, blackberry-seekers, and walkers.

The flat bridge nearby on Port Meadow is also rather special. It's a type developed during WWII called a Bailey Bridge, designed to be erected very quickly: the Oxford one went up in two hours. After the war rebuilding broken bridges around the country was one of the useful occupations for returned troops. Thousands of people watched in September 1947, from the banks and boats, as the 60ft bridge was put up by 50 Royal Engineers from 2.45-4.30pm. And over 70 years later it's still standing strong.