Oxford Botanic Garden has occupied its central Oxford site next to the
river Cherwell continuously since its foundation in 1621 and is the
United Kingdom's oldest botanic garden. Today, the Garden holds a
collection of more than five thousand different types of plant, some of
which exist nowhere else and are of international conservation
importance.
This guide explores Oxford Botanic Garden's many historic and innovative
features, from the walled garden to the waterlily pool, the greenhouses,
the rock garden, the water garden and "Lyra's bench," made famous in
Philip Pullman's beloved His Dark Materials series. It also gives a
detailed explanation of the Garden's medicinal and taxonomic beds and
special plant collections. Lavishly illustrated with
specially-commissioned photographs, this book not only provides a
fascinating historical overview but also offers a practical guide to
Oxford Botanic Garden and its work today. Featuring a map of the site
and a historic timeline, this book is a beautiful souvenir of the
birthplace of botanical science in the UK.