The University of Oxford Botanic Garden

This is a delightful bit of Oxford not to be missed. It has all of the class and style one would expect from a world class university like Oxford. If you love English gardens and Kew is just too much for your schedule then here you are at home with so many delights for the green of thumb.

I visited the Botanical Gardens on a sunny Sunday afternoon to relax and help cure a ‘mild’ hangover. Having gone punting the previous day, I figured this may be the next best thing. As far as my botanical knowledge goes, it doesn’t go very far. That didn’t seem to matter, as this relaxing space doesn’t require any technical knowledge or even interest in natural history or plant biology, which means this place can actually be a relaxing environment!
There are various greenhouses all containing specific themes in each. Desert, fruits, herbs etc. A simple walk around each gauges your interest as you see trees and plats you wouldn’t normally see. Supersized lemons, pineapples, enormous cacti and Venus fly-​traps. I was quite amused by the woman who repeatedly sniffed the cinnamon tree, as if in some way the bark was the cinnamon. I didn’t stop to correct her but I hope she figured it out.
Aside from the greenhouses, there are plenty of patches in the grounds that are designated to specific themes. My personal favourite was the ‘medical herbs’ flower bed which contained historical and current plants and herbs that have a use in the medical industry; categorised by specific conditions for example ‘heart disease’ and ‘mood disorders’. I found this most interesting as I have an interest in physiology and medicine so this was engaging for me.
Another benefit of this place was that it is right by the river, where you can go punting. You can sit by the river watching these people struggle up and down the river while having your lunch safe in the knowledge you are going to stay dry.
I would recommend coming here if you are interested in botany, or just want a space to relax by the riverside and feed geese.

Very peaceful and calming. If you’re a student of the University, you get in for free.
The arrangement of herbs, flowers are quite vast. Great for a stroll.

This is a wonderful spot in Oxford, yes Oxford is littered with wonderful green spaces but it is nice to visit a purposed and beautiful garden. It is clean and no matter what time of year a good place to visit. It is small compared to most botanic gardens however definitely worth a trip in.
If you are wondering the price, it varies depending on the time of year. You’ll find during the winter when they do not have a box office entrance is often implied free, however there is a donation box and I would encourage you to donate if you appreciate the gardens.

What does £3.80 gets you nowadays? Well, a sandwich and a bag of crisps I suppose. Or alternatively, if you are in Oxford, entry into the wonderfully petit Botanical Garden. Yup, it is like if you took a picture of Kew Gardens with a Toy Cam.
Here you’d find medicinal flower beds arranged by illnesses (skin, heart, liver, virus etc) and in the back, an actual veggie garden (great for those of us who can’t tell the difference between what a carrot and beetroot look like when planted)! Of course you also have the pre– requisite pond, temperate house, rock garden, tranquility e.t.c.
So to sum up: Pocket size, so you don’t get achy feet walking around, great selection of plants and a pretty little park at that.
Extra info: Scented rose garden up front is FREE so may be you just want to wander into some university accommodation’s front garden and smell pretty flowers and not pay the £3.80. No Food Sold inside the garden, remember to bring your own provisions!

This is a spectacularly beautiful garden that you have to see if you visit Oxford. Last time I went it cost about $ 15 or so, depending on the exchange rate, but it is well worth the price of admission. Plus you can bring a picnic to enjoy by the river. It really is someplace special.