The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Harcourt Arboretum has spectacular natural beauty all year round, including English bluebells, rhododendrons, azaleas, and acers. Explore a collection of rare and endangered trees from around the world, discover some of the UK's oldest redwoods growing alongside tranquil British woodland, and wild flower meadows awash with colour.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
99 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
40
Average
11
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Gail N
11 contributions
Nov 2022
The grounds are lovely BUT:
- restroom situation isn’t great with portable toilets and worst of all, the water that came out of the sink was brown - gross!
- as other reviewers have expected, not enough plaques labeling the various trees, shrubs, etc
- this is a 5 pound not 6.3 pound experience with it being out of the way (can’t walk to like I can with University Parks which is free and has restrooms and a place to purchase food)
If decide to go, then may be best to go prior to November when more leaves are likely to be on the trees.
- restroom situation isn’t great with portable toilets and worst of all, the water that came out of the sink was brown - gross!
- as other reviewers have expected, not enough plaques labeling the various trees, shrubs, etc
- this is a 5 pound not 6.3 pound experience with it being out of the way (can’t walk to like I can with University Parks which is free and has restrooms and a place to purchase food)
If decide to go, then may be best to go prior to November when more leaves are likely to be on the trees.
Written November 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
myjlcr
UK193 contributions
Oct 2022
The acers were looking really beautiful this weekend - the main reason for our visit, and there is a great collection of trees, generally. But a bit disappointing in terms of visitor experience - dogs are banned and it's hard to see why that needs to be the case. Toilets were poor.
Written October 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Barbara T
Abingdon, UK555 contributions
Oct 2022
Beautiful autumnal colours with the acers contrasting with the changing trees.
A very pleasant walk around the paths. We had a 2 for 1 voucher, otherwise it's a bit expensive for what it is.
A very pleasant walk around the paths. We had a 2 for 1 voucher, otherwise it's a bit expensive for what it is.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James S
Banbury, UK404 contributions
Oct 2022
Came here for the autumn fair, and was not dissapointed. Parking was a bit manic due to the popularity of the event, but once we were in it was a wonderful mix of music, animals, food, drink and of course the beautiful wood and location.
Definitely worth a visit, especially at autumn!
Definitely worth a visit, especially at autumn!
Written October 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Philmex1
Southampton, UK1,661 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
£15 for two adults visiting is pretty good value. The Arboretum has some good walks and a nice variety of trees. Look out for the peacocks which are an added attraction - one of the males was happy to pose for photos especially with a possible mate nearby!
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
now_i_wonder
Berkshire, UK42 contributions
Sep 2021
Spent a lovely sunny September afternoon strolling through this lovely arboretum. Despite the busy road that runs along part of the old arboretum it still manages to remain calm and tranquil.
As you move away from the old arboretum where the Acers are, as others have mentioned, it becomes more woodland than arboretum, but still a beautiful place, mainly comprising Oak, Beech, Hazel and Lime - and don't forget all of these will turn golden as autumn progresses.
Beyond the woodland/arboretum you enter Palmer's Leys Meadows and the Historic Parkland Meadow. Granted not much to see now that the grass and wildflowers have had their end of season cut - but still worth a wander on such a beautiful day with views over the Oxfordshire countryside. As illustrated on a notice board, these meadows are filled with wildflowers and orchids come spring/late summer.
I personally didn't find the map too bad, it is a bit vague but once you have wandered around a while you get a feel for the place. There are also a few interesting information boards located around the arboretum which are well worth a read.
Sensibly priced and a lovely place to spend a few hours strolling amongst some beautiful trees.
As you move away from the old arboretum where the Acers are, as others have mentioned, it becomes more woodland than arboretum, but still a beautiful place, mainly comprising Oak, Beech, Hazel and Lime - and don't forget all of these will turn golden as autumn progresses.
Beyond the woodland/arboretum you enter Palmer's Leys Meadows and the Historic Parkland Meadow. Granted not much to see now that the grass and wildflowers have had their end of season cut - but still worth a wander on such a beautiful day with views over the Oxfordshire countryside. As illustrated on a notice board, these meadows are filled with wildflowers and orchids come spring/late summer.
I personally didn't find the map too bad, it is a bit vague but once you have wandered around a while you get a feel for the place. There are also a few interesting information boards located around the arboretum which are well worth a read.
Sensibly priced and a lovely place to spend a few hours strolling amongst some beautiful trees.
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mcwhirter
London3 contributions
Aug 2021
Utterly underwhelming, as another reviewer put it not so much an arboretum but "a small unexciting wood". No real information on any of the trees (just the occasional haphazardly placed sign), and a series of poorly thought out walks that seemed designed to lead you straight to the "meadow" which resembled one of Oxfordshire's many fields...
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peter K
London, UK324 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Lots of space and some interesting plants and trees. It would be best to visit in May when the rhododendrons and bluebells are out. Also some pigs in the forest.
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chelsea B
Milton Keynes, UK1,963 contributions
May 2021
A lovely place to wander for a few hours, lots of beautiful trees and flowers and the odd peacock too!
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bill M
Oxford, UK25 contributions
Jul 2021
Visit was fine but booking experience was not. We had arranged to visit the arboretum with 2 friends, 3 days in advance. I booked a time on-line for the wrong day. I noticed my error immediately on getting the tickets which said Saturday rather than Friday. I emailed to ask if they could be changed to the day I had meant and got a standard reply indicating that tickets cannot be changed or refunded. This is not good customer service.
The calendar on which you select the date has the days indicated in a small font; I clicked on the 3rd day for which tickets were available, not realising that the current day was not one of them. The screen which asked me to check the date and time before completing the purchase did not show the day of the week which would have alerted me to my error. I am £17 out of pocket.
The calendar on which you select the date has the days indicated in a small font; I clicked on the 3rd day for which tickets were available, not realising that the current day was not one of them. The screen which asked me to check the date and time before completing the purchase did not show the day of the week which would have alerted me to my error. I am £17 out of pocket.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frybags55
Oxfordshire, UK41 contributions
Entry fees?
canuckabroad10
canada / uk53 contributions
yes. £5 for an adult day ticket in 2016. under £20 for an annual pass. prices are listed on their site.
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Suggest an editThe University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
- The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum:
- (0.26 mi) Whispering Cottages Bed and Breakfast
- (3.07 mi) Oxfordbnb
- (4.69 mi) The Claddagh Guest House
- (5.06 mi) Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire
- (5.22 mi) Sandfield Guest House
- Restaurants near The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum:
- (0.59 mi) Seven Stars
- (2.13 mi) The Barley Mow
- (3.91 mi) The Gurkha Palace & The Chequers Inn
- (3.25 mi) Polish Kitchen
- (1.47 mi) The Mole Inn Restaurant