Oxford City Council

19/06/2026

New water safety signage is to be installed at six Council owned locations along Oxford’s waterways ⚠️

Oxford City Council is constantly reviewing ways to improve water safety in Oxford, taking into account advice from industry experts.

Earlier this year, the Council commissioned a review and advice from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS).

The review identified six locations to install new signage and public rescue equipment. These are: Tumbling Bay, Longbridges, Hinksey Lake, Fiddlers Island, Wolvercote Mill Stream and Sunnymead Park.

Each sign will reflect the specific different risks at each site, from deep water, submerged objects, and strong currents. The signs also include a what-three-words location to help direct emergency services to the correct location in the case of an emergency.

The signage is expected to be installed by the end of June, and Additional Public Rescue equipment will be placed in some recommended areas.

Learn more: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article/1860/new-signage-to-be-installed-to-improve-water-safety-in-oxford

⚠️ Dangers of wild swimming ⚠️

Oxford is surrounded by waterways, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and the canal. Wild swimming in Oxford's waterways is popular but is very risky due to the strength of the current, and risk of cold shock in deep water – even for strong swimmers.

The Council does not encourage wild swimming in Oxford’s rivers, lakes, canals, or other bodies of water, and those who choose to swim do so at their own risk. The Council has previously published and shared warnings around the risk of wild swimming on its website.

🏊 Alternatives to wild swimming 🏊

In Oxford, the safest option for swimming is in a pool. Free swimming sessions are available at our Council-owned leisure centres throughout the week for children and young people under 17 who live in Oxford: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/freeswim

19/06/2026

What does community look like in Oxford? 🤝

On Thursday 11 June, it looked like people of different faiths and backgrounds walking side by side to places of worship across the city.

The annual Interfaith Friendship Walk, organised by the Oxford Council of Faiths, celebrates friendship, understanding and respect between Oxford's diverse communities.

Watch our video to see the highlights and hear from the faith leaders who took part.

19/06/2026

Looking for ways to keep cool this weekend? ☀️

Rivers and open waterways can be dangerous, with hidden currents, underwater hazards and rapidly changing conditions. If you're planning a family day out, why not try one of these safer ways to enjoy the sunshine:

💦 Hinksey Splash Park (free)
💦 Cutteslowe Splash Park (free)
🚲 Hinksey's mini wheels track (free)
🏊 Hinksey Outdoor Pool (£)
🏊 Swimming pools across Oxford (including free swimming sessions for under-17s at Barton, Ferry and Leys Leisure Centres at selected times): https://www.oxford.gov.uk/leisure-centres-swimming-pools/free-swimming-young-people-aged-16

Please take care, look after each other, and enjoy the sunshine safely!

For more family-friendly ideas across Oxford this weekend, take a look at Little Oxplorers' heatwave guide to Oxford: https://littleoxplorers.com/heatwave-guide-to-oxford-2026

19/06/2026

...and we're back, Oxford!

Have a question about your city? Pop it in the comments below.

18/06/2026

🏗️ 51 new homes are taking shape at Northfield 🏠

Do you remember watching our video of the crane go up at Northfield last autumn? Well, since then, construction has been progressing on the 51 new affordable homes at the former Northfield Hostel site in Littlemore.

With significant progress now visible across both residential blocks, we had a look around the site.

🔨 What has happened 🏗

The development – being delivered by OX Place in partnership with Equans – will provide 27 new council homes for social rent and 24 shared-ownership homes across two apartment buildings, helping meet Oxford's urgent need for genuinely affordable housing.

Work has now reached the third floor level on both blocks, which represents the full height of the buildings. Brickwork is largely complete across the site, and roof trusses have recently been installed. Roofing works are also underway and are expected to be completed over the summer.

🏠 What's to come 🏠

As construction progresses, the focus will shift from the building structure to the internal fitout. Contractors will soon start installing weatherproof screening, allowing internal works to accelerate. Windows will be fitted throughout the development over the coming months.

The project team expects scaffolding to begin coming down as the roofing works are completed, with the majority removed by autumn.

The Northfield development remains on track to deliver 51 much-needed affordable homes for Oxford residents in spring 2027, with a mix of social rent and shared ownership properties helping people at different stages of their housing journey.

18/06/2026

Whether you’ve just arrived in Oxford, or you’ve lived here forever, there’s always something new to discover!

Download the Discover App or pop into a Tourism Hub and stay in the know this summer.

📍 Footprint Tours
📲 Discover App

18/06/2026

This week is Drowning Prevention Week. Taking place from 13-20 June 2026, the Royal Life Saving Society UK campaign helps children aged 5–17 learn essential water safety skills ahead of the summer holidays. Learn more: https://www.rlss.org.uk/

In Oxford, the safest option for swimming is in a pool. This is especially important to remember ahead of the high temperatures forecast this weekend. You can find the opening times of our pools here: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/leisure-centres-swimming-pools

Free swimming sessions are available at our Council-owned leisure centres throughout the week for children and young people under 17 who live in Oxford. Learn more: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/freeswim

Paid swimming sessions are also available throughout the week: fitness lane swims, family fun swims and more! Specific session times can be found on each pool’s timetable. Four women-only swim sessions are also available each week at Barton, Ferry and Leys Pools and Leisure Centre (Barton on Thursdays, 7-8pm; Ferry on Wednesdays, 7-8pm; Leys on Wednesdays, 12-1pm and 8:30-9:30pm).

Want to be more confident in the water? Sign up to swimming lessons before the end of July and use the code SWIM50 to join for £1 and get 50% off for three months.

18/06/2026

The UK Health Security Agency and Met Office have issued an Amber Heat Health Alert, which is in effect from 12pm today, Thursday 18 June, until 8pm Tuesday 23 June.

🔵 Provisions for people experiencing homelessness 🔵

People experiencing homelessness are at particular risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and sunburn.

During an amber alert, the Oxford Street Population Outreach Team (OxSPOT) will be delivering an enhanced and targeted outreach service. Homeless Oxfordshire will open O’Hanlon House for up to 10 individuals experiencing rough sleeping that want to get out of the sun between the hours of 12pm and 7pm, and Matilda House will provide hydration, sunscreen, and urgent health support.

Staying hydrated is key during hot weather. OxSPOT will provide water, bottles and sunscreen during its daily rounds, and water is also available at day services, including the Crisis Café on George Street.

🔵 Staying hydrated in hot weather 🔵

As part of its campaign to reduce the use of single-use plastic water bottles, Refill Return has set up a network of water bottle refill stations throughout the city – including all our leisure centres and Oxford Town Hall. Look out for the sticker in shop and business windows or check the Refill Return website or app. There are also drinking water fountains in Florence Park, Bury Knowle Park and Cutteslowe Park.

If you are concerned about someone who is experiencing rough sleeping, please contact OxSPOT. To give details about someone experiencing rough sleeping – including their location – call OxSPOT during office hours on 07590 862049 or email [email protected]. You can also report a concern through the StreetLink website or app.

Please note that this is not an emergency service but OxSPOT will follow up all calls and emails as soon as possible. If you believe someone’s health is in immediate danger, please call 999. The NHS has guidance on recognising and assisting with heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

17/06/2026

17/06/2026

"St Michael's Street will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians between 4pm and 11pm on Wednesday 17 June due to an event at the Oxford Union.

A small number of bus routes will operate slight diversions, but no bus stops are affected. No other road closures are planned."