Bisected north–south by the
Roman Road between
Alchester and
Dorchester-on-Thames, its name is derived from the
Old English for "Otta's Fen".
Enclosure Watered by the
River Ray, it was until the early 19th century unenclosed marshland, and regularly flooded in winter. An
inclosure act was passed, the '''''' (
55 Geo. 3. c. c), under which the area was extensively drained. This disadvantaged the local farmers and led to civil disturbances known as the Otmoor Riots of 1829–30.
Military range In 1920 the
Royal Air Force acquired Otmoor for use as a
bombing range. Part of the moor remains in military use as a
rifle range, and is also a large part of Otmoor Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Motorway to nature reserve The semi-wetland landscape provides habitat for many rare species of birds and butterflies. These were threatened in 1980 by a government proposal for the route of the
M40 motorway to cross Otmoor. Opposition to the motorway was led by
Friends of the Earth and included the "
Alice's Meadow" campaign. The government eventually adopted an alternative route. Since 1997 a large part of Otmoor has been made an
RSPB nature reserve, with large areas of land being returned to marshland. Immediately east of the RSPB reserve is Otmoor SSSI. ==References==