Harcourt Arboretum

I’m no tree expert, but I still find this sort of place fascinating. Everyone knows about the Botanic Gardens, but this is quite a well-​kept secret. It’s a shame you have to pay to get in, but it’s understandable, as there are some rare and old trees here, and it’s very well maintained.
I recommend getting a tour, as otherwise it’s easy to see things as ‘just another tree’, and it seems a bit silly paying to wander around what is really an outdoor museum, when you could have the same experience for free if you’re really not bothered about the trees. Even if you think you’re not interested, you might be surprised.
I also recommend going in summer when everything’s in full bloom, although it must be interesting to see the changing seasons. Keep an eye out for peacock feathers!

would most definately agree with vr227 it is a lovely place to stroll, even betterwhen it’s autumn. I go ever year with my class of school children they also geta guideand they make and do naturel art sculptures with them it’s a great place to go as it’s free.

Harcourt Arboretum is a great way to spend a morning or an afternoon and get out into nature. A short drive from the city centre, it’s just past the picturesque town of Nuneham Courtenay. Although there are no amenities (and maybe that’s a good thing), it’s got a well-​maintained car park and then you just go off and stroll! Love the ferns and the amazing fir trees

Harcourt Arboretum is an off-​shoot of Oxford Botanic Garden, and is a collection of trees that is open to the public. There is a range of landscaping, with some trees widely spread in fields, others forming a small woodland, a coppice and some almost formal garden-​style areas.
It’s a lovely place for a walk, or even a picnic. There are toilets in the gate house, and plenty of car parking. You used to pay just £3 to park the car, but this has been replaced with a £3 per person entry free. You can buy a year pass for £10 (there is a reduction for concessions).
There are also regular guided tours, showing you the highlights of the arboretum throughout the year. One of the main attractions has to be the peacocks, though, that roam free. There are numerous males with their beautiful plummage, all tame enough to make good subjects for photography. They are often to be seen displaying themselves on the wall of the arboretum, as you drive past.

Owned by Oxford University, Harcourt Arboretum is about five or six miles south of Oxford and is a collection of trees and shrubs open to the public. Some of the collection is very old — massive old trees dating back to mid 19^th century.
The layout is very informal with lovely open glades and grassy areas between the specimen trees. There are peacocks and bluebells in spring — it can be quite magical. Especially worth a trip to see the rhodedendrons in Spring which are spectacular.
Great place for all ages — kids love to run about (in safety). It’s free, apart from parking fee which is £3