Located at the University of Oxford, these lush offerings are the oldest of their kind in Great Britain.

There has been a glasshouse at the Oxford Botanic Gardens for over 300 years and if you take a stroll today you will see plants from all over the world, including specific environments dedicated to dry deserts and tropical rainforests.

Alongside 100 year old cacti and extravagant water lilies grow the plants that give us chocolate, sugar, coconuts, bananas, oranges, medicines and much more, but beware because some of the plants bite!

As well as being a visual inspiration, the plants in these gardens are also grown to support teaching programmes, used in research at the University and play a part in conservation projects.

The gardens are split into three formal areas. The Glasshouses contain plants that need protection from the extremes of the British weather. The area outside the Walled Garden contains classic garden features such as a Water Garden and Rock Garden as well as the innovative Black Border and Autumn Borders. Within the Walled Garden plants are grouped in a number of different ways such as by country of origin, botanic family or economic use.

A programme of lectures, study days and creative courses are also run at the gardens.

For more information about opening times and admission prices: www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk

The University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Rose Lane
Oxford OX1 4AZ
Tel: 01865 286 690