The area surrounding the riverside provides a wonderful environment for wildlife and animal parks.

Nature Reserves Along The Thames

• Withymead Nature Reserve, Goring - An oasis of riverside wildness; a haven for plants and wildlife; a place where Thames-side boat building once thrived. All visits are free of charge. Don’t forget our spectacular spring Lodden Lily season runs through April and early May.

• Bisham Woods Nature Reserve, Bisham - A colourful, ancient woodland site, with abundant and rare flora, a wide variety of tree species and some fascinating wildlife. Said to be the inspiration behind the iconic book The Wind in the Willows, this enchanting woodland may have formed part of Britain’s original wildwood.

• Warburg Nature Reserve, Henley-on-Thames - High up in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Warburg Nature Reserve is a remote and magnificent place, rich in exciting plants and animals all through the year. The flower-rich grasslands in the valley bottom give way to extensive woodlands rising up the valley sides. 

• Hartslock, Goring - Enjoy magnificent views of the winding River Thames and sloping chalk grassland full of national rarities. In May or early June, the famous monkey orchids flower here. These are so rare that they only grow in two other places in the UK. A rich variety of wild grasses, other flowers  and insects thrive.

• Radley Lakes, Oxfordshire - Radley Lakes is an area of former gravel quarries close to the River Thames, between Abingdon and Radley. Three lakes exist today – Thrupp Lake, Bullfield Lake and Orchard Lake.The whole area has regenerated naturally. It is now extremely rich in wildlife, especially plants, birds and insects. 

• Grandpont Nature Park, Oxford is best accessed by foot or cycle along the Thames Path from Whitehouse Road or from Oxpens Meadow.  The open meadow areas provide a place to sit and relax, enjoy the river views and wildlife. The woodland areas provide shade and homes for many mammals and birds.