The Bobarts patron group was established in 2004 to provide extra financial support to the Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum. Members enjoy all the benefits of the Friends plus a programme of visits in small groups to private gardens and university collections, accompanied by the owners and head gardeners.
2015 proved to be yet another interesting year with a visit to Egrove Park in Kennington, the residential estate of the Saïd Business School, in March, followed by Bobarts Day at Harcourt Arboretum in April. In May we visited Haseley Court (left), one of the most stylish and elegant gardens in Oxfordshire, with a walled garden full of old roses, foxgloves, peonies and other summer flowering perennials. This was followed in June by a visit to the gardens of the American Ambassador at Winfield House in Regents Park, and an afternoon tour of the medicinal garden and buildings of the Royal College of Physicians. In July we had a double visit to Inholmes and Rooksnest near Lambourn and then, at the end of July, a visit to the Old Rectory in Quenington. In August we visited Chivel Farm at Heythrop and in September Thame Park to see the changes that have been made there. Finally in October we saw some of the Bodleian’s botanical art collection, displayed in the new Weston Library in Oxford.
In 2016 we will visit Pembroke College in Oxford to see rare items from the library's botanical collection and for a tour of the grounds; Cotswold Farm at Duntisbourne Abbots and the Old Rectory at Duntisbourne Rouse in Gloucestershire, two beautiful and inspiring gardens; Towersey Manor where the very special and peaceful garden has been created from scratch over the last fifty years; Cedar Lodge, Paynes Hill House and Canterbury House, three wonderful gardens in Steeple Aston; and the Gardens of the Rose, the flagship gardens of the Royal National Rose Society in St Albans. Later in the year Bobarts Day will be at the Botanic Garden in August and in September we are planning a two-day overnight stay in Somerset, with visits to four gardens near Wincanton.
To join the Bobarts Group download and complete this form
If you are not already a member, please consider joining the Bobarts group to enjoy these special visits and tours.
For further information, contact the Friends’ Administrator on 01865 286690, friends.administrator@obg.ox.ac.uk, or download an application form.