Exploring Oxford’s Harcourt Arboretum with a toddler

After months of freezing weather (it seems), I can’t wait to get outside and make the most of a bit of sunshine and blue skies. So even though we were a bit ahead of the spring flowers, our day trip to Oxford was the perfect time to have a walk around Harcourt Arboretum with a toddler.

Part of the Oxford Botanic Gardens, there are 130 acres to explore (we didn’t quite get that far) including some of the UK’s oldest redwoods, rhodedendrons, wildflower meadows and beautiful bluebells which should be flowering soon.

Even with one path closed due to some waterlogging, there were daffodils and snowdrops to see, peacocks roaming and shrieking away as we walked, and enough sticks to keep any toddler happy.

As well as plenty of chasing and games, plus a helpful hilltop bench to catch our breath and sing songs, we stumbled across a carved owl (instantly poked by Minnie with her stick), a stone head in the trees and a field of sheep as added entertainment.

Take a short walk around with my new video – check out my YouTube channel for the full collection.

Need to know: Harcourt Arboretum with a toddler

The Arboretum is open daily. Opening times vary throughout the year but are between 10am and 4/5pm with last admission one hour before closing – check here before you visit.

Harcourt Arboretum is around a 15-minute drive from Oxford itself and there’s parking available.

Tickets cost £7.20 and children under 16 are free. Annual passes are available for £20, including entry into Oxford’s Botanic Gardens in the city, or you can become a Friend of the Botanic Garden for £35 which includes free and reduced entry to other gardens around the country.

Friends of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum, Edinburgh, Wales, Ness and Birmingham Botanic Gardens get free entry with their membership card – previously other Botanic Gardens have also had the benefit, including for Friends of Kew, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the up to date list.

There are toilets available during opening hours but no cafe – you can bring a picnic.

Maps with marked trails are also available, while there are activities during school holidays or you can also book tours.

For more things to do in Oxford with kids, check out my top picks, including our visits to the University’s Natural History Museum and The Story Museum

Images and video copyright MummyTravels

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