Harcourt Arboretum
📍 Nuneham Courtenay
🌿 Parks and Gardens
💷 Under 16s Free. Adults £1-£9pp
⏰ 1-3 hours
👣 Gentle Stroll
☕ Pop-up cafe weekends and bank holidays, Toilets
May 2026 · Nature Adventures · Parks & Gardens
Giant trees, noisy peacocks, and dazzling dragonflies.
Once I'd bought annual membership to the arboretum (with the botanic garden included too) then it's a no brainer to come back every couple of months to see how everything changes through the seasons.
The big draw for me was the giant redwoods. Absolutely massive, they are some of the oldest specimens in the UK (here since the 1850s). There's plenty of other trees to gaze at as you stroll along the serpentine path including Yew, and Japanese maple. I mainly love standing next to the toppled redwood along the journey, feeling absolutely tiny.
There's also a bluebell wood, and a Lime wood. Both giving off very different vibes of native woodland, and both a great spot to listen out for birds.
Much more than an arboretum, there's lots of wildflower meadows to explore. When we went in May, we were surrounded by dragonflies and butterflies, including lots of common blue, small white butterflies and the golden ringed dragonfly.
Little Leopard's highlight was seeing a Cinnabar moth, which made the walk out to Lower Palmer's Lees Woodland totally worth it. A gorgeous, vivid red and black moth that flies in the day as well as the night, he declared it to be one of the most beautiful things ever.
His 2nd favourite thing is always the peacocks. I know, it's only the males that are called peacocks, but they seem to be the only ones strutting around trying to get attention, which they definitely manage with Little Leopard.
Well used to the visitors there, this one laid down near us, and soooo nearly went to sleep, yawning and laying it's head back as if it's body was a pillow. It started chattering to itself as it closed it's eyes, and Little Leopards uncontrollable laughter at this made it wake up again.
A quiet, tranquil place to pop into if you're in the area, sometimes we're here for less than an hour. Other days, especially if there's an event on, we bring a picnic and it turns into a 1/2 day exploring every area properly. Little Leopard loved all the nature crafting opportunities at the wildflower meadows event in May.
There's a lovely woodland playground for the kids to enjoy, including a mad looking rope swing (how did they manage to tie the rope up to such a high branch?!).
There's lots more adventures nearby to combine it with, including everything in Oxford (botanic garden, port meadows, iffley meadows and more). I love combining this with a trip to Bishop's Court Farm in Dorchester, or Wallingford Castle Meadows.
Nature Notes
Giant Redwood
The towering tree that can live for thousands of years
Some giant redwoods can live for over two thousand years and reach taller than many city buildings
Their thick reddish bark helps protect them from insects, disease, and even forest fires
Despite their enormous size, redwood seeds are tiny, smaller than a tomato seed
Giant redwoods create rich forest habitats that support birds, insects, mosses, and woodland mammals
These ancient trees play an important role in storing carbon and helping regulate the Earth’s climate
Peacock
The magnificent bird with shimmering feather displays
The male’s long tail feathers are covered in iridescent “eye spots” used to attract mates during courtship displays
Despite their heavy appearance, peacocks are able to fly short distances and often roost high in trees at night
Their loud calls can travel long distances and are often heard before the birds are seen
Peacocks are part of the pheasant family and originally come from forests and grasslands in South Asia
The shimmering colours of their feathers are created not by pigment, but by microscopic structures that reflect light
Cinnabar Moth
The striking black and red moth of wildflower meadows
Cinnabar moths are easily recognised by their dark wings marked with bright scarlet-red patterns
Their caterpillars are bold yellow and black striped creatures often found feeding on ragwort plants
The bright colours of both the moth and caterpillars warn predators that they taste unpleasant
Cinnabar moths are active during the day and can often be seen fluttering through sunny grasslands
Although ragwort is poisonous to many animals, cinnabar caterpillars can safely eat it and store its toxins for protection
Soaking in the tranquil atmosphere of the woods and meadows, hugging giant redwoods and saying hi to the peacocks.
Address: Oxford Lodge, Peacock Gate, Nuneham Courtenay, OX44 9PX
Parking: Plenty of free parking
Opening Hours: 10.00 - 17.00
Entry Fee: Under 16s free, Adults £1 - £9 pp
Website: obga.ox.ac.uk
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