Home | University Parks

An historic 70-acre haven and living arboretum in the heart of Oxford

Once agricultural fields owned by Merton College, the Parks was bought by Oxford University in the 1850s to create a space for the University community for study, sport and quiet escape along the River Cherwell. Today our 70 acres are open to everyone. Here you will find nationally important plant collections, vibrant seasonal borders and scenic walks.

The Parks is open free of charge in daylight hours every day of the year except Christmas Eve. This green oasis is linked with other University owned land that is free for everyone to enjoy. The River Cherwell borders the North East side of the park, beyond which is Park Farm, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The gate in the South East corner provides access to Parsons Pleasure and Mesopotamia, a strip rich in nature between the upper and lower levels of the river.

In order to preserve the tranquility of the space, cycling is not permitted in the Parks but there are safe cycle routes all around the perimeter to the North, West and South.

Walks and borders

South Walk: Stroll beneath an impressive avenue of summer-flowering tulip trees and bean trees.

West, North & Lucas Walks: Enjoy attractive displays of flowering shrubs and colourful perennials lining the pathways.

The Hayrick Border: Features a colourful display of herbaceous perennials, including a specialised collection of salvias and tender perennials chosen for late-summer interest.

Lime fragrance: Lime trees planted throughout the Parks fill the air with a sweet, distinctive scent, especially noticeable in warm evening

Foliage, meadows and waterways

Canopy colours: Our diverse tree collection showcases rich displays of purple, golden, and variegated foliage throughout the warmer months.

Pond life: The central pond provides a haven for moisture-loving plants – look out for the green and purple-leaved forms of mugwort, which produce clusters of white flowers throughout the summer.

Wildflower grasslands: To encourage native flora to flourish, flower, and seed, the grassland across The Leys and through Mesopotamia is left unmown until late summer, providing vital habitat for pollinators.

Highlights in the Parks

Get the most out of your visit to University Parks and see what there is to explore

Art in the Parks

Havel's Place

A reflective art installation by the pond

Oxford's Havel's Place is in a quieter area of the Parks, west of the pond. The chairs swivel to allow the user to overlook the water, the adjoining copse of trees, or across the Parks to the city.

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Trees in the Parks

Arboretum of trees

Explore our living collection

Home to a world-class collection of rare and historic trees, University Parks is a living arboretum. Use our interactive map to identify individual species, uncover their age, and discover their unique stories.

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Research in the Parks

Genetic Garden

Discover science in bloom

Established in 1964 by Professor Cyril Darlington as an experimental living laboratory, the Genetic Garden connects the Parks directly to Oxford’s rich legacy of scientific research.

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Visitor guidance

To ensure everyone is able to get the most out of their visit, and to protect our University Parks, we have a few rules and guidelines that we ask visitors to review before visiting. Please also check our closing time, and check for any events that might be on before your visit.

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