University Parks

🌸 Reasons to visit the Park this bank holiday weekend 🌳
🌿 Bird Cherry (Prunus padus)
A graceful native tree noted for its fragrant delicate flowers, followed by dark cherries loved by birds. Find it along Oak Walk.
💙 Ceanothus ‘Concha’
Glossy evergreen leaves and vivid blue blooms steal the show in late spring—irresistible to bees and butterflies. 🐝🦋 Along North Walk.
🌸 Tamarisk (Tamarix)
Light, feathery foliage and clouds of soft pink flowers add texture and colour through spring and early summer on North Walk.
🍂 Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’)
Deep purple copper leaves glow through the season and create rich colour through spring and summer. An unmistakable sight on North Walk.
🌿 Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata)
A late spring favourite with white to blush blossom rich in nectar, followed by red haws for birds in autumn. Spot it on Thorn Walk.
✨ Which one’s catching your eye this season?

What not also try out our tree portal and find more: https://universityofoxford.ezyportal.com/Trees

Need another reason to wander through University Parks this bank holiday weekend?
There’s so much to see, smell, and enjoy. Come and soak up spring! 🥀

🐝 The bumblebees are having a party with our spring bulbs

Apparently our woodland patch is the hottest brunch spot in Oxford right now. 🌼😁

It’s so good to see these early blooms giving our pollinators a much‑needed boost after winter. 🌿

Bidwell's Town & Gown 10K returns to University Parks on Sunday 10 May 2026 and entries are closing soon so support Muscular Dystrophy UK and sign up today!

https://www.musculardystrophyuk.org/

Looking for a reason to escape your desk? The park is waking up for spring, and it’s too beautiful to miss.

🌳 Celebrating Apprentices at University Parks! 🌿

Last week was National Apprenticeship Week, and we’re proud to celebrate our apprentices at University Parks, including those working towards their Level 2 qualifications in Arboriculture and Horticulture, as well as existing staff members who are continuing their professional development through Level 4 Project Management and Level 3 Landscape Supervisor apprenticeships.
University Parks runs a rolling apprenticeship programme, building quality talent from the ground up and helping address critical skills shortages in the industry. We’re committed to supporting the next generation of green‑space professionals and strengthening the skills base across our sector💚

One of the Parks’ most loved features, the Hayrick border near the South Lodge entrance, is getting a fresh start.
During the Covid lockdown, invasive weeds took hold and we lost some of the variety of planting. Despite years of hard work by our team since then, we’ve now reached the point where a full replant is the best way forward.
From Monday 19 January, we started removing the remaining herbaceous plants (while keeping the trees and shrubs) and improving the soil with lots of organic matter. Many valued plants have already been lifted and replanted elsewhere in the Parks.
Most of the border will be replanted straight away 🌱
Two areas affected by bindweed will be covered with mulch for up to 12 months so we can properly tackle the problem before replanting in spring 2027.
We’re excited to bring this much-loved border back better than ever – and to make it a reason to visit the Parks all year round 💚

Please be aware: North Mesopotamia is not accessible due to flooding on Marston Cycle path. Water levels will be monitored and routes opened when safe to do so. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.