A companion who shares their interests, in Oxfordshire

Somewhere to go

Riverside walk at Abbey Meadows

Abingdon

A short stretch of Thames-side parkland and gravel-pathed gardens beside historic Abingdon, used daily by local walkers. A carer can drive to the car park, judge how far to go on the day and turn back at the lock rather than completing the full loop.

Getting around: The accessible route is about 0.75 miles of riverside path, mostly level and over a metre wide with regular passing places.

Source: accessiblecountryside.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Thames towpath walking in Oxford

Thames Path, Oxford

The city council maps walking routes along the Thames and the canal through Oxford, with towpath sections that link parks and meadows. A carer can pick a short there-and-back section with a bench or a cafe at one end so the walk has a natural stopping point.

Source: oxford.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Local food

Banbury cakes

Banbury

A flat oval pastry filled with spiced currants, associated with Banbury since the seventeenth century and still linked to the town's identity. A carer can buy the ingredients and share the rolling and filling, which is easy to do sitting at a table.

Source: en.wikipedia.org. Check opening times and access before you go.

Local food

Oxford marmalade

Oxford

Coarse cut Seville orange marmalade first made commercially in a small Oxford shop in the 1870s and sold under the Frank Cooper name ever since. A carer can take on the chopping and the hot pan while the older person judges the set and fills the jars.

Source: en.wikipedia.org. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Waterperry Gardens

Wheatley

Eight acres of ornamental gardens, borders and orchards on a former horticultural school estate, with a plant centre and tea shop. A carer can book a push wheelchair or scooter in advance by phone, then plan a route round the flat ornamental gardens with a tea stop.

Getting around: Most paths are flat, wide and well compacted gravel, buildings are accessible, and free push wheelchairs plus motorised scooters can be booked in advance.

Source: waterperrygardens.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Harcourt Arboretum tree collection

Nuneham Courtenay

The University of Oxford's arboretum, with mature conifers, bluebell woodland and meadow, a few miles south of the city. A carer can stick to the marked wheelchair footpath and avoid the woodchip and grass routes, which are much harder going.

Getting around: There is a wheelchair footpath through the site, but woodchip woodland paths, sloping grass meadow and soft earth parkland tracks are difficult for wheels.

Source: accessguide.ox.ac.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Volunteering with Oxfordshire libraries

The county council recruits volunteers for library activities, reading support and home deliveries across Oxfordshire branches. A carer can go through the application with the person and provide the lift to each shift.

Source: oxfordshire.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Wildlife Trust volunteering on Oxfordshire reserves

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust uses volunteers for practical conservation, wildlife recording and visitor welcome roles on its Oxfordshire reserves. A carer can help choose a seated or low-effort role and stay for the session.

Source: bbowt.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.