Oxford Botanic Garden
📍 Oxford
🌿 Parks and Gardens
💷 £1 - £9 adults,
under 16s free
⏰ 1 - 2 hours
👣 Gentle wander
☕ Café
March 2026 · Nature Adventures · Parks and Gardens
Tropical glasshouses, rare plants blooming and bringing inspiration home with us from the UK's oldest botanic garden.
We first visited Oxford Botanic Garden back in February, I'd put it off for years thinking it was more expensive than it is. It was so brilliant, even in the winter months that I quickly committed to an annual membership so that we can frequently spend a couple of hours here or at Harcourt Arboretum.
It's far bigger than I'd imagined, with glasshouses, walled gardens, a pond, and other areas, so there's plenty to notice, explore, and learn about all year round.
Especially in the winter months, the glasshouses were a huge hit for both of us, Little Leopard spent an hour wandering round them, taking photos of EVERYTHING, being transported into a lush rainforest, desert, and cloud forest. The week after our visit he asked to make some biome themed terrariums at home in omage.
As well as marvelling at the cacti and banana plants towering above us, it was lovely to spot plants that we have at home, and see what light/ humidity/ watering conditions the talented team of gardeners are giving them at the Botanic Garden so that we can show our chlorophyll babies some extra love. My Peace Lily sends her thanks.
I upgraded one of our adventures by keeping an eye on their facebook page to co-incide our visit with the Jade Vine flowering in the Water Lily House. Little Leopard loved seeing the vibrant green, and knowing that we only had a week or 2 to try and see it made it feel super special. Keep an eye on their socials, the team is great at updating people when the special things like this are happening.
There's a lovely pop up snack-style cafe next to the River Cherwell. It can be tricky to get a table if it's busy, but well worth it if you can. You can't get more 'Oxford' than coffee and cake and watching people wobble by on punts.
The gardens are a lovely place to have a picnic, with lots of benches, and plenty of spots to sprawl under big trees.
Check out their website for special events here and at the arboretum, including ones for children, and practical courses.
The garden is in Oxford City Centre, perfect for combining with other attractions there, including the Museum of Natural History, or a wander round Christchurch Meadows. A little further away, but very bus-able, Port Meadow, Shotover Park, Lye Valley and Oxford City Farm are always a huge hit with us.
Nature Notes
Jade Vine
Native to rainforests in the Phillipines.
Its stems can grow up to 18 metres.
In the wild, they are only pollinated by bats.
Habitat destruction has given the vine a vulnerable status.
Snakes-head fritillary
Oxfordshire's county flower
A bulb grows leaves for 5-7 years before flowering.
It's very toxic when eaten.
It's a vulnerable species in the UK.
Tree Philodendron
The dangling roots help the plant absorb water and anchor itself as it grows.
In tropical forests, these plants can grow huge leaves to capture more sunlight beneath the canopy.
The patterned trunk is made from old leaf scars left behind as leaves fall away.
The nature adventure we keep coming back to when we need a bit more rainforest in our lives.
Address: Rose Lane, OX1 4AZ
Parking: No parking on site. Park and Ride, or public transport is advised.
Opening Hours: From 1 May, 10.00 - 18.00 daily.
Entry Fee: £1 - £9, under 16s free
Website: obga.ox.ac.uk/visit-garden
