Founded as a 'Physic Garden' by the Earl of Danby in 1621, "with a view especially to the Faculty of Medicine", the Botanic Garden is the oldest institution of its kind in the country. The Gateway, designed by Nicholas Stone, incorporates statues of Charles I & II. Opening Times: Jan, Feb, Nov and Dec - 9.00am until 4.00pm, last admission 3.15pm; March, April, Sept, and October - 9.00am until 5.00pm, last admission 4.15pm; May, June, July, Aug - 9.00am until 6.00pm, last admission 5.15pm. Admission is free for accompanied children in full-time education and for disabled visitors and carers. It's £4.00 for an adult day ticket, £3 for concessions and £14/£12 for a year pass. Guided tours can be arranged by writing in advance. No dogs allowed except guide dogs. You can also become a Friend of the Botanic Gardens, with free access to this and other gardens and to a variety of special lectures and events, for between £25 (annual single) and £500 (life single). Wheelchair friendly. Next events at University of Oxford Botanic Garden 
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Rose Lane
Coming up:
Biodiversity Conservation: Using the Past to Manage the Future Tue, 22 May: 6pm drinks, 7pm lecture, £12 Botanical Illustration - Intermediate and Advanced Sat, 26 May: 10am - 4pm, £60 Lamiaceae - Mints and Lavender Thu, 31 May: 6.30pm - 8.30pm, £15 or £40 for all three walks A Dinosaur's Domain Thu, 7 June: Free on paid entry. Vegetable Growing - Extending the Season Tue, 12 June: 10.30am - 1pm, £20 per session Asteraceae - Sunflowers and Dandelions Thu, 14 June: 6.30pm - 8.30pm, £15 or £40 for all three walks Useful links: Ethical OxfordOxford Restaurants Oxford Hotels Oxford Pubs & Bars Oxford Gig venues Oxford Concert venues Latest venue reviewsEast Oxford Conservative Club: Hi! Just on the off chance someone can help - I write this here! I am...read more Makan La: We are frequent visitors to Makan La and have never been disappointed....read more Shanghai House: Usually eat here once a week with my dad. Reasonable prices and good food....read more Rick's Cafe: Currently the best place for coffee in East Oxford. Warm, friendly staff;...read more Latest Oxford OffersBuy Wardrobe with Chest of Drawers & receive Bedside Free Oxford Furniture Warehouse Buy One, Get one Free on all Second Hand furniture Oxford Furniture Warehouse
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Oxford's Botanic garden was the third in Europe, preceded by Pisa and Leyden. Its original function was to provide herbs for the School of Medicine. The first gardener was a retired German soldier, Jacob Bobart, who was delighted to find that the cess-pits of the colleges provided him with almost unlimited supplies of good growing medium. He was a powerfully built man, who late in life sported a beard of such length that one day a madman grabbed hold of it and cried out that Bobart had eaten his horse, and its tail was hanging out of his mouth. Bobart was succeeded by his son, who became Professor of Botany. Around 1700, the Younger Bobart discovered a rat in the garden, and by cosmetic surgery turned it into so convincing a dragon that great excitement was caused in the academic world. The hoaxer eventually confessed, but the 'dragon' was considered such a masterpiece anyway, that it was kept on display in the School of Anatomy. Bobart the Elder built a conservatory where the greenhouses now stand; this was probably one of the first in England. Since then the greenhouses have been rebuilt several times. They are a treasure-trove of exotic plants. It is worth remembering that though the gardens are open much of the day, you can only visit the greenhouses between 2.00pm and 4.00pm. Daily Info Staff (DI Staff), 22/12/10 Ads by Daily Info:  Browse ads by tag: Please fill in the boxes and then click "Send Review" to submit your review for University of Oxford Botanic Garden. | |
