Bulstake Stream

Bulstake Stream, also spelt Bullstake Stream, is a backwater of the River Thames at Oxford, England.

The stream leaves the main stream of the Thames at a river junction known as Four Rivers, at the south west corner of Fiddler’s Island opposite Sheepwash Channel. It immediately flows past Tumbling Bay, which had a bathing place in use from 1853 to 1990.[1] Osney Ditch flows out of the stream southeast towards Osney. The stream follows a semi-circular course, west and then south, passing under bridges on Binsey Lane and Botley Road (Bulstake Bridge) to a confluence with Seacourt/Hinksey Stream near North Hinksey. It resumes, east, past Osney Mead Industrial Estate, and rejoins the Thames at the Osney Rail Bridge. The Thames Path crosses the stream on a bridge known as Boney’s Bridge.[2] Botley Stream flows into it from Seacourt Stream just north of Botley Road.

The lower part (resumption) is also known as Potts Stream or Pot Stream.[3][4]

Until 1790, the stream was the main navigation channel of the Thames.[4] It became a backwater when Osney Lock was opened.