The Dip of Happiness is a unique and interactive art installation located in the United Kingdom. It is a large, circular, and shallow pool of water with a diameter of 12 meters, filled with 100,000 liters of water. The pool is surrounded by a ring of 320 LED lights that change color in response to the brain activity of the people standing around it, creating a mesmerizing display of colors and patterns. Visitors can stand around the pool and wear special brain-reading headbands that detect their brain waves, influencing the color and pattern of the lights. The installation is designed to represent the collective emotional state of the people surrounding it, creating a shared experience of joy and happiness.
This is a review of the Ferry Hinksey Road to the Fishes Pub, North Hinksey, foot/cycle Path featuring the Dip of Happiness. The foot/cycle path between Ferry Hinksey Road and the Fishes Pub in North Hinksey (apologies about this but hereinafter referred to as FHR2FP) is one of the most beautiful in the city. It ought to be celebrated. But, in reality, it is the Cinderella of the city's pathways. Willow Walk, which runs parallel to FHR2FP, is much more popular and widely acclaimed. It's pathway is smooth, level, and its stony surface gives it an all weather surface. Cyclists can cycle along this pathway in a carefree daze. Whilst Willow Walk is regarded as royalty, FHR2FP is treated as a pauper. Both pathways are surrounded by an avenue of trees beyond which meadows are visible (sometimes even the same ones). However, FHR2FP's river and the wildness of its greenery make it seem much more beautiful than its sibling. It has more of an air of serenity about it than Willow Walk. FHR2FP also has lots more character. It has two bridges (which are real), two walkways (which pretend to be bridges but are not) and a livestock crossroad. The two walkways rather pretentiously proclaim themselves as bridges. They are not. Do not be deceived. FHR2FP's path is frequently narrow and bumpy. At the best of times its muddy track is dry. At the worst of times, it is not. Tree roots often protrude from the muddy track making progress even more arduous and hazardous. FHR2FP's struggle for recognition begins even before visitors get to it. It is virtually impossible to find the entrance to the pathway off the Ferry Hinksey Road. It might be thought that such an area of outstanding beauty would warrant a grand entranceway and lots of brightly coloured signs and flashing lights. But instead it is not merely unobtrusive it is almost seedy looking, very uninviting. It is also half hidden by a huge electricity sub-station. The first bridge that visitors come to on the FHR2FP pathway is over a small river. This river comes from Tumbling Bay off the Thames. It is an extremely well known river recognized by everyone in the city because it's the one that passes by Waitrose on the Botley road. Not surprisingly, it's much the poshest river in North Hinksey. The second 'bridge' has a sign on it stating 'Danger Bridge'. This can't be a warning sign since the self proclaimed bridge is only, at most, a foot off the ground. It is actually a wooden walkway. But, quite bizarrely, like something out of 'Alice in Wonderland', it is a walkway that pretends to be something more than it actually is. Visitors wondering what 'Danger Bridge' means tend to focus their concern on the word 'Danger' thereby inadvertently condoning the use of the word 'Bridge'. The walkway tries to fool visitors into thinking it is a bridge by calling itself a bridge. But it's no more a bridge than it is dangerous. The next structure that visitors come to is the 'Dip of Happiness'. There really is a dip between what is left of the two stiles. Its weird how photographs take an exact copy of reality and yet on many occasions it's difficult working out whether the perspective is up or down. It was difficult photographing the dip but, in the end, I succeeded. It was created by the hooves of cattle as they moved from one field to the other. When they were moved the cattle knew they were going to fresher pasture which made them very happy - hence the Dip of Happiness. Thankfully the wooden fence structure of the 'Dip' was much more modest than the two walkways and refused to call itself the 'Dip of Happiness' bridge. The fourth structure is another walkway. It has also given itself a name. It likes to be called the, 'Bridge of Death'. The fact that it too is barely inches off the ground should make visitors suspicious about its claim to be a bridge. The fifth and final structure on the FHR2FP pathway is a real bridge over another small river. FHR2FP is one of Oxford's most beautiful and characterful pathways.
We traveled from Wisconsin just to see the dip of happiness and it lived up to the hype. We were quite despondent after our red eye flight and worn down by the suits and crowds of london. All of that went away the moment we dipped through the dip. Truly one of the top 5 dips I've visited.
Had to visit after reading such good reviews, the bridge of death was slightly off putting to begin with. But i stuck with it and have to say i was not disappointed with the dip of happiness, Will definitely have to visit again.
Definitely a positive yet hard to explain experience that leaves you with a decidedly elevated mood. It is a very dip-like dip, but better.
8/10. Good local dip, slightly hidden access point, worth a visit if you're in the area. Would dip again.
One of the better dips I've visited. My partner and I often find ourselves returning here when we need a pick-me-up or to recenter our perspective. Not for the faint hearted.
Dogs allowed
Hello! I'm your AI guide for Dip of Happiness. I can help you with information about this attraction, including its history, best times to visit, and tips for your visit. What would you like to know?
Discover hotels in Oxford OX2 0DP
Searching for hotels...
This is a review of the Ferry Hinksey Road to the Fishes Pub, North Hinksey, foot/cycle Path featuring the Dip of Happiness. The foot/cycle path between Ferry Hinksey Road and the Fishes Pub in North Hinksey (apologies about this but hereinafter referred to as FHR2FP) is one of the most beautiful in the city. It ought to be celebrated. But, in reality, it is the Cinderella of the city's pathways. Willow Walk, which runs parallel to FHR2FP, is much more popular and widely acclaimed. It's pathway is smooth, level, and its stony surface gives it an all weather surface. Cyclists can cycle along this pathway in a carefree daze. Whilst Willow Walk is regarded as royalty, FHR2FP is treated as a pauper. Both pathways are surrounded by an avenue of trees beyond which meadows are visible (sometimes even the same ones). However, FHR2FP's river and the wildness of its greenery make it seem much more beautiful than its sibling. It has more of an air of serenity about it than Willow Walk. FHR2FP also has lots more character. It has two bridges (which are real), two walkways (which pretend to be bridges but are not) and a livestock crossroad. The two walkways rather pretentiously proclaim themselves as bridges. They are not. Do not be deceived. FHR2FP's path is frequently narrow and bumpy. At the best of times its muddy track is dry. At the worst of times, it is not. Tree roots often protrude from the muddy track making progress even more arduous and hazardous. FHR2FP's struggle for recognition begins even before visitors get to it. It is virtually impossible to find the entrance to the pathway off the Ferry Hinksey Road. It might be thought that such an area of outstanding beauty would warrant a grand entranceway and lots of brightly coloured signs and flashing lights. But instead it is not merely unobtrusive it is almost seedy looking, very uninviting. It is also half hidden by a huge electricity sub-station. The first bridge that visitors come to on the FHR2FP pathway is over a small river. This river comes from Tumbling Bay off the Thames. It is an extremely well known river recognized by everyone in the city because it's the one that passes by Waitrose on the Botley road. Not surprisingly, it's much the poshest river in North Hinksey. The second 'bridge' has a sign on it stating 'Danger Bridge'. This can't be a warning sign since the self proclaimed bridge is only, at most, a foot off the ground. It is actually a wooden walkway. But, quite bizarrely, like something out of 'Alice in Wonderland', it is a walkway that pretends to be something more than it actually is. Visitors wondering what 'Danger Bridge' means tend to focus their concern on the word 'Danger' thereby inadvertently condoning the use of the word 'Bridge'. The walkway tries to fool visitors into thinking it is a bridge by calling itself a bridge. But it's no more a bridge than it is dangerous. The next structure that visitors come to is the 'Dip of Happiness'. There really is a dip between what is left of the two stiles. Its weird how photographs take an exact copy of reality and yet on many occasions it's difficult working out whether the perspective is up or down. It was difficult photographing the dip but, in the end, I succeeded. It was created by the hooves of cattle as they moved from one field to the other. When they were moved the cattle knew they were going to fresher pasture which made them very happy - hence the Dip of Happiness. Thankfully the wooden fence structure of the 'Dip' was much more modest than the two walkways and refused to call itself the 'Dip of Happiness' bridge. The fourth structure is another walkway. It has also given itself a name. It likes to be called the, 'Bridge of Death'. The fact that it too is barely inches off the ground should make visitors suspicious about its claim to be a bridge. The fifth and final structure on the FHR2FP pathway is a real bridge over another small river. FHR2FP is one of Oxford's most beautiful and characterful pathways.
We traveled from Wisconsin just to see the dip of happiness and it lived up to the hype. We were quite despondent after our red eye flight and worn down by the suits and crowds of london. All of that went away the moment we dipped through the dip. Truly one of the top 5 dips I've visited.
Had to visit after reading such good reviews, the bridge of death was slightly off putting to begin with. But i stuck with it and have to say i was not disappointed with the dip of happiness, Will definitely have to visit again.
Definitely a positive yet hard to explain experience that leaves you with a decidedly elevated mood. It is a very dip-like dip, but better.
8/10. Good local dip, slightly hidden access point, worth a visit if you're in the area. Would dip again.
One of the better dips I've visited. My partner and I often find ourselves returning here when we need a pick-me-up or to recenter our perspective. Not for the faint hearted.
