This county in southern England is of course home to the city of Oxford, famous for its iconic university which dates all the way back to the 12th century. Oxford is known for its stunning university buildings and colleges, but there are plenty of beautiful parks and gardens to explore too, both in the city and further afield. Whether you live nearby or are just visiting, see our roundup below of some of the best green spaces to visit in Oxfordshire.
Founded in 1621, Oxford’s Botanical Gardens are the oldest of their kind in Britain. Located opposite Magdalen College and alongside the River Thames, the gardens are home to over 6,000 plant species, as well as an arboretum, tropical greenhouses and rock garden.
This idyllic park is a favourite of locals and it’s easy to see why - set against the backdrop of Christ Church College it has one of the best locations for a green space in the city. There are also paths along the River Thames, making the meadow a popular place to watch the famous boat race between Oxford and Cambridge. Plenty of wildlife too, you’re likely to spot squirrels, geese, ducks and swans sharing the space with visitors.
Officially just one park, University Parks is one of the largest green spaces in Oxford city centre. There are sporting facilities, walking trails and acres of green space, plus there’s easy access along the River Cherwell straight out to the Oxfordshire countryside.
This area of land has a lot of history attached, once used for horse racing throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, it’s still used as grazing land for cattle and horses today. An hour long walk will take you to the picturesque village of Wolvercote where you can stop to recharge at one of the local pubs.
This World Heritage site in Oxfordshire is home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and family, and is the only non-royal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The splendour of the house is equally matched by the gardens, with the historical formal gardens to explore, and the Pleasure Gardens which include a maze and butterfly house.
This grand home and gardens in Oxfordshire has been home to the Stonor family for over 800 years, and there’s plenty to explore across three majestic gardens. Visit the arboretum, old Kitchen Garden and the 17th century Pleasure Garden with ponds and fountains, plus the extensive natural landscape of the parkland beyond.
At Graham Churchill Plant Ltd, we believe it’s important to keep green spaces, green; which is why we’re committed to offering environmentally friendly waste disposal services to those in Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas. With over 50 years of experience in domestic and commercial recycling, visit our website to see how our services could help both you and the planet.