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Unlike the ancient common of Port Meadow, the Parks are carefully kept: broad mown lawns, gravel paths, a duck pond, and one of the best collections of trees in the city, many of them labelled, from towering redwoods to a champion black walnut.\n\nThe River Cherwell forms the eastern boundary, with a riverside walk leading towards the Rainbow Bridge and Mesopotamia. At the centre is the University cricket ground, where first-class matches are played in summer — one of the few grounds in the country where they are free to watch. 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Unlike the ancient common of Port Meadow, the Parks are carefully kept: broad mown lawns, gravel paths, a duck pond, and one of the best collections of trees in the city, many of them labelled, from towering redwoods to a champion black walnut. The River Cherwell forms the eastern boundary, with a riverside walk leading towards the Rainbow Bridge and Mesopotamia. At the centre is the University cricket ground, where first-class matches are played in summer — one of the few grounds in the country where they are free to watch. The Parks are a short walk north of the Bodleian and the science area, free to enter, and open daily from morning until dusk.\n\n![University Parks, Oxford]()\n\nParks & meadows **University Parks** Oxford\n\n02 / The essentials\n\n### What makes it remarkable.\n\n1. 01\n\n About 70 acres (28 hectares) of parkland owned and managed by the University of Oxford.\n2. 02\n\n Laid out from 1864 and opened to the public in 1865.\n3. 03\n\n Holds one of Oxford's finest tree collections, many species labelled, from redwoods to a champion black walnut.\n4. 04\n\n The River Cherwell forms the eastern edge, with a riverside walk to the Rainbow Bridge.\n5. 05\n\n The University cricket ground at its centre hosts first-class matches in summer, free to watch.\n6. 06\n\n A duck pond, broad lawns and gravel paths make it the city's most manicured green space.\n7. 07\n\n A short walk north of the Bodleian Library and the University science area.\n\n03 / The place\n\n### The building in context.\n\nA story written in stone since **1864**.\n\nBuilt\n\nLaid out from 1864; opened to the public 1865\n\nArchitect\n\nJames Bateman (original layout)\n\nStyle\n\nVictorian public park and arboretum\n\nArchive\n\n[Wikidata Q7896872 ↗]()\n\n04 / Before you go\n\n### Plan it well.\nEnjoy it properly.\n\nPractical detail, separated from the story so you can scan what matters when you are ready to visit.\n\n01\n\n#### Tickets & entry\n\nFree to enter\n\n02\n\n#### Opening hours\n\nOpen daily from around 7:45am (later opening on some mornings) until dusk, closing time varying with the season. Free to enter. Cycling and ball games are restricted in places.\n\nContinue exploring / Oxford\n\n### What will you\n*do next?*\n\nCompare the practical essentials first, then open the experiences that earn a place in your plans.\n\n01 Culture & history\n\n [01 Culture & history **Bate Collection of Musical Instruments** Explore experience]() [02 Culture & history **Bodleian Library guided tour** Explore experience]() [03 Culture & history **Christ Church** Explore experience]() [04 Culture & history **Christ Church Cathedral** Explore experience]() [05 Culture & history **History of Science Museum** Explore experience]() [06 Culture & history **Oxford Castle** Explore experience]() [07 Culture & history **Oxford University Museum of Natural History** Explore experience]() [08 Culture & history **Pitt Rivers Museum** Explore experience]() [09 Culture & history **Sheldonian Theatre** Explore experience]() [10 Culture & history **Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities** Explore experience]() [11 Culture & history **The Ashmolean Museum** Explore experience]() [12 Culture & history **The Radcliffe Camera** Explore experience]() [13 Culture & history **The Weston Library** Explore experience]() [14 Culture & history **University Church of St Mary the Virgin** Explore experience]()\n\n02 Food & drink\n\n [15 Food & drink **Head of the River** Explore experience]() [16 Food & drink **Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons** Explore experience]() [17 Food & drink **Oxford Covered Market** Explore experience]() [18 Food & drink **The Bear Inn** Explore experience]() [19 Food & drink **The Chequers** Explore experience]() [20 Food & drink **The Eagle and Child** Explore experience]() [21 Food & drink **The King’s Arms** Explore experience]() [22 Food & drink **The Lamb & Flag** Explore experience]() [23 Food & drink **The Perch** Explore experience]() [24 Food & drink **The Trout Inn** Explore experience]() [25 Food & drink **The Turf Tavern** Explore experience]() [26 Food & drink **The White Horse** Explore experience]() [27 Food & drink **Westgate Oxford** Explore experience]()\n\n03 Walks & views\n\n [28 Walks & views **The Bridge of Sighs** Explore experience]()\n\n04 Parks & meadows\n\n [29 Parks & meadows **Christ Church Meadow** Explore experience]() [30 Parks & meadows **Oxford Botanic Garden** Explore experience]() [31 Parks & meadows **Port Meadow** Explore experience]()\n\n05 On the water\n\n [32 On the water **Punt the Cherwell** Explore experience]() [33 On the water **Salter's Steamers** Explore experience]()\n\n06 Go deeper\n\n[43 Colleges All the colleges **Every Oxford college** Open the college guide]()[Food & drink / a story **The nine oldest pubs** Walk the timeline]()[Plan / Itinerary builder **Build your Oxford day** Start planning]()\n\n05 / Where it is\n\n### Find it\nand what’s nearby.\n\nExplore around University Parks\n\n The map will load when you reach it.\n\n05 / Good to know\n\n### Questions,\nanswered.\n\n01 Are the University Parks free?\n\nYes, entry is free and open to the public.\n\n02 When are they open?\n\nDaily from about 7:45am until dusk; the exact closing time changes through the year.\n\n03 Can I watch the cricket?\n\nYes — first-class and university matches are played at the ground in summer and are free to watch, a rarity in the professional game.\n\n04 Where is the entrance?\n\nThe main gates are on Parks Road and South Parks Road, with further entrances near the Cherwell and Norham Gardens.\n\nBefore you visit\n\n### Check hours, tickets and access.\n\nCheck opening hours, admission prices and access with the venue before setting off.\n\nUpdated\n\nDate unavailable\n\nBy\n\n[Above Guide Editorial Team]()\n\nUseful links\n\n- [Official site parks.ox.ac.uk ↗]()\n- [Supporting source en.wikipedia.org ↗]()\n\n[Report a correction]()\n\nContinue exploring\n\n### Make Oxford\nyour own.\n\n[Visit the official site]()[← All things to do]()\n\nOpening hours, prices and access change. Confirm details on the official site before visiting.\n\nFiled under Green space / Park / Trees / Free / Cricket" }