Oxford beyond the centre
Headington: a rooftop shark, a storybook park and a Saturday market
See the Headington Shark, spend time in Bury Knowle Park and catch the Saturday market on London Road.
At a glance
- Start here
- London Road around New High Street. Bury Knowle Park is off the shopping road.
- Market morning
- Saturdays, 9am–2pm, as listed by Headington Action.
- The Shark
- 2 New High Street: view from the public street.
The Headington Shark sticks out of a roof on New High Street. A short visit can take in the sculpture and Bury Knowle Park, with the Saturday market adding a reason to come earlier.
More about this guide
Start around London Road and New High Street. On Saturdays, catch the market before it closes, then spend time in the park. There are older streets to explore around Old Headington too.
A few hours in Headington
Start with the market, stay for the park
Browse Headington’s Saturday market
Headington Market runs on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm along London Road, between the Old High Street/Windmill Road and New High Street/Osler Road junctions. Headington Action publishes the week’s stall information. You might pick up supplies for a picnic in the park. Profits from stall fees support local community activities. The stalls are on busy shopping pavements, so leave space for people to pass.Market days and trader updates
Find the stories in Bury Knowle Park
Bury Knowle Park has a story-inspired play area, sensory garden and sculptures. The council’s park guide lists the Story Book Tree, with a horse, lion and dragon emerging from a book, and carved Aslan seating. The house in the grounds has been Headington Library since 1934. The park is listed as open all day, every day, but the library keeps its own hours.Bury Knowle Park features and facilities
The Headington Shark
The Shark has been in the roof of 2 New High Street since 1986. Bill Heine commissioned it from sculptor John Buckley. The local history page tells the story of its long planning dispute. The house is private. Take photographs from the public street and keep entrances clear. There is no visitor interior or tour to add to your plan.Read the Shark’s story
A walk around Old Headington
Old Headington’s streets offer a quieter walk away from the London Road shops and traffic. They also give you a way to extend a visit after the market or park. The council bought Bury Knowle House and its grounds in 1930, and the park opened to the public in 1932. Explore from public streets and paths, respecting the homes and working buildings along the way.Bury Knowle House history
Editor’s note
A good half-day beyond the colleges
Bury Knowle Park makes a useful picnic or play stop. Cycling inside the park is not permitted. Buses serve the Headington shopping area, and your operator’s journey planner has the current service details.
Know before you go
The practical bit.
- Start here
- London Road around New High Street. Bury Knowle Park is off the shopping road.
- Market morning
- Saturdays, 9am–2pm, as listed by Headington Action.
- The Shark
- 2 New High Street: view from the public street.
Sources & visitor information 4 sources · Sources checked 12 Oct 2026
We use the linked sources for practical visitor details. Each date shows when we checked a source. Confirm opening times, prices and booking arrangements before you travel.
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