Parks & meadows / Oxford
University Parks
A manicured Victorian park of specimen trees, lawns and a duck pond, bordered by the Cherwell a short walk from the Bodleian.
01 / Why it matters
More than a stop on a list.
The city's most beautiful managed green space — an arboretum in all but name, with cricket in summer and a river walk, minutes from the centre.
The University Parks are about 70 acres of open parkland owned and run by the University of Oxford, laid out from 1864 and opened to the public in 1865. 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.
02 / The essentials
What makes it remarkable.
- 01
About 70 acres (28 hectares) of parkland owned and managed by the University of Oxford.
- 02
Laid out from 1864 and opened to the public in 1865.
- 03
Holds one of Oxford's finest tree collections, many species labelled, from redwoods to a champion black walnut.
- 04
The River Cherwell forms the eastern edge, with a riverside walk to the Rainbow Bridge.
- 05
The University cricket ground at its centre hosts first-class matches in summer, free to watch.
- 06
A duck pond, broad lawns and gravel paths make it the city's most manicured green space.
- 07
A short walk north of the Bodleian Library and the University science area.
03 / The place
The building in context.
A story written in stone since 1864.
- Built
- Laid out from 1864; opened to the public 1865
- Architect
- James Bateman (original layout)
- Style
- Victorian public park and arboretum
- Archive
- Wikidata Q7896872 ↗
04 / Before you go
Plan it well.
Enjoy it properly.
Practical detail, separated from the story so you can scan what matters when you are ready to visit.
Tickets & entry
Free to enter
Opening hours
Open 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.
Continue exploring / Oxford
What will you
do next?
Compare the practical essentials first, then open the experiences that earn a place in your plans.
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29On the waterPunt the CherwellExplore experience →Punt the CherwellIt is the quintessential Oxford afternoon — hire a punt, pole (or be poled) along the willow-lined Cherwell, and drift down to a riverside pub.Time1–2 hoursCostTicketedPaceModerateExplore experience →
43CollegesAll the collegesEvery Oxford collegeOpen the college guide →Food & drink / a storyThe nine oldest pubsWalk the timeline →
Plan / Itinerary builderBuild your Oxford dayStart planning →05 / Where it is
Find it
on the map.
05 / Good to know
Questions,
answered.
01Are the University Parks free?
Yes, entry is free and open to the public.
02When are they open?
Daily from about 7:45am until dusk; the exact closing time changes through the year.
03Can I watch the cricket?
Yes — first-class and university matches are played at the ground in summer and are free to watch, a rarity in the professional game.
04Where is the entrance?
The main gates are on Parks Road and South Parks Road, with further entrances near the Cherwell and Norham Gardens.