Slade Camp was a thriving community in the foothills of Shotover from 1948 to 1970, when the buildings were demolished and the site returned to nature. It’s one of Oxford’s forgotten stories, and with the help of a group of volunteers we’re bringing the camp back to life on 15th September.   

The idea for the project began in lockdown, when SPS member Wendy Austen was walking around Brasenose and Magdalen Woods, wondering why an old doll was half exposed from the ground, and wanting to know about the buildings that the brick foundations were for.

Friends of Slade Camp was set up by the Shotover Preservation Society in January 2024. The aim is to connect with former residents of the camp to collect their memories from that time, and to investigate the archaeology of this ‘deserted modern village’.

Our group of volunteers now includes over 40 former residents, local historians and the Oxford Preservation Trust, and we will be offering guided walks on Sunday 15th September as part of OPT’s Oxford Open Doors.

The guided walks will be every half hour between 12.30 and 4pm. As well as learninig something about the history of the camp, you will be able to see some of the sites that we have cleared. There will be maps and photos, and you will have the chance to talk to some of the former residents who spent their childhood here.

Everyone is welcome with no charge.

This is a community project, and there are several ways to get involved:

• Volunteer to help on 15th September
• Bake a cake to sustain the former Slade Camp residents on the day.

If you would like to help, or need to arrange disabled parking, please get in touch with us at sps@shotoverpreservation.uk or call Jim Woods on 07932 044 627.