The Most Beautiful Parks and Gardens in Oxford

Slap bang in the heart of Oxford, University Parks offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Open to uni students, local residents and visitors, this 70-acre green oasis has a bit of everything, including tree-lined walks, colourful plants and a duckpond. The riverside parkland is home to the university cricket club and a real hub for sports, where depending on the season you can catch a game of lacrosse, tennis, football or rugby. The Oxford University Quidditch team play here too, so Harry Potter fans will want to keep their eyes peeled for that! Take a walk along the river, which leads you straight out into the glorious Oxfordshire countryside.

Founded in 1621, the Oxford Botanic Gardens are the oldest of their kind in Britain. From herbaceous borders just bursting with life and colour to glasshouses that take you on a horticultural trip around the world (think tropical jungle to desert), the gardens are a great place to lose yourself for an afternoon. You’ll feel miles away from the grand, stately architecture of the city as you explore this lush, floral haven.

The wild nature of Port Meadow provides an antidote to the formal beauty of the landscaped college gardens. This calming spot along the River Thames has a rich history that stretches back to 2000 BC. The Freemen of Wolvercote have ancient grazing rights on the land, so chance are you’ll meet ponies and cattle roaming around. The area is home to lots of other native wildlife and wildflowers; visit in May and the ground is carpeted bright yellow with beautiful buttercups as far as the eye can see. Just be warned, the meadow can become flooded on occasion, so if it’s been a rainy few days it might be best to wear your wellies.