Oxford Civic Society

Oxford Civic Society is dedicated to the continuous improvement of Oxford as a wonderful city in which to live, work, study and relax. Appreciating our past, enjoying the present and pursuing a vision for the future are at the heart of what we do.

We are a registered charity. We are a friendly organisation and welcome new members. If you would like to know more about the city and help us make a difference – join us. Better still you could volunteer to join one of our working groups and help shape the city’s future.

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Consultations and Analyses

OCS's long-form responses and analysis of recent major issues

Walks in Oxford Calendar 2026

Our beautiful appointments calendar features stunning photos of walks in Oxford and a different walk for each month. A lovely addition to any home and a great Christmas gift for family and friends! We hope the calendar will encourage people to enjoy our wonderful city on foot – and use our Walks in Oxford website for further suggestions.

You can buy copies of the calendar at our talks (see the Programme page). The Gulp Fiction bookshop in the Covered Market and Pen to Paper in the Summertown shops hold stocks.

The calendar costs £10 (plus P & P if bought online).

What's New - December 2025

Devolution starts here

All involved local authorities in the Thames Valley have collaborated to formulate an expression of interest (EoI) in devolution and their inclusion on a future Devolution Programme. The EoI will be sent to central government once finally agreed by all authorities. It is designed to facilitate the region being considered in the next wave of the Devolution Programme. It is an initial invitation to government, opening further dialogue and engagement, but it is not yet a decision to establish a Strategic Authority. Details are provided in the 25th November agenda meeting notes of the Oxfordshire Leaders Group.

Greening the “Oxford-Cambridge Corridor”

Meanwhile a new National Forest is planned for the “Oxford-Cambridge Corridor”. Details (where, how many trees, when?) are scarce at present.

Mind the (Kidlington) Gap

If the proposals by Exeter College come to fruition, the Kidlington gap will become a thing of the past. The development of EXOq (a “dynamic research and innovation compute environment”), in conjunction with the Oxford United stadium, the Oxford University housing on the North Oxford Golf Club site and the Water Eaton housing, would be the finishing touch to an Oxford-Kidlington conurbation. Thus fulfilling the ‘slippery slope’ arguments of those in favour of protecting the Green Belt.

Time to buy your 2026 calendar

We’re planning to make the Oxford Civic Society calendar available via our website this month. And in other OCS news, we are still looking for a shopfront to promote our message and also for some storage space for our kit – please email info@oxcivicsoc.org.uk if you can help with either.