Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum

Enjoying entry to 9 botanic gardens across the country and exclusive events.

Following the approval of the proposed merger at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 24 March, we are now in the process of merging our commercial systems.

As part of this transition, our credit card payment facility is changing. While we are working to make this as smooth as possible, there may be some temporary glitches during the switchover period.

We kindly ask members to consider setting up a Direct Debit for future payments, which is our preferred method and helps reduce administration costs.

If you're unable to pay by Direct Debit, you can still make a payment using a credit or debit card by following the link below. If you experience any issues, please try again in three days as the system settles.

Thank you for your patience and continued support during this time of change.

Renew or join by credit/debit card 

 

Become a Friend and you will support Britain's oldest botanic garden, founded in 1621; help conserve rare and threatened trees at Harcourt Arboretum, created in 1830 and spanning 130 acres of woodland walks, wildflower meadows and ponds; and support education, training and vital research into plants and the environment for future generations.

What the Friends receive:

  • Free entry to the Garden and Arboretum *(excluding some events)
  • A 10% discount in our shops
  • Coffee mornings
  • An invitation to events such as May Morning, the Friends' summer party and behind-the-scenes visits to other gardens
  • Free entry to a number of botanic gardens in the UK with whom we have a reciprocal arrangement
  • A regular newsletter and e-bulletin

Privacy Policy

 

Which Gardens are included?

Royal Botanic Gardens: For Friends, 2-for-1 entry to the Royal Botanic Gardens, including Kew Gardens in West London and Wakehurst Place at Ardingly in West Sussex. Free reciprocal entry available only to Bobarts and Danby Patrons.

Chelsea Physic Garden: Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in London and houses around 5,000 different medicinal, herbal, edible and useful plants. Free entry with Friends' membership.

Royal Botanic Gardens of Scotland: Including the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Benmore Botanic Garden, Dawyck Botanic Garden and Logan Botanic Garden. Free entry with Friends' membership.

National Botanic Garden of Wales: The National Botanic Garden of Wales is set in the beautiful countryside of Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire. Free entry with Friends' membership.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens: The Birmingham Botanical Gardens contain glasshouses, beautiful gardens, a playground, tearoom and gift shop. Free entry with Friends' membership.

The University of Liverpool's Ness Botanic Gardens: The superb gardens at Ness in Liverpool span over 64 acres. Free entry with Friends' membership.

The University of Bristol Botanic Garden: A beautiful garden filled with a huge diversity of plants set against the backdrop of a striking Victorian house. Free entry with Friends' membership.

 

Who are we?

Patron: HM King Charles III

President: Lord Patten of Barnes

Vice Presidents: Lawrence Banks, Robin Herbert, Lady Lapthorne, Sir Ghillean Prance, Sir Crispin Tickell, the President of Magdalen College and the Dean of Christ Church

Directors and Trustees: Simon Hiscock, Marius Apetrei, and John Geddes

The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum is a company limited by guarantee:
company no 05547805, registered office in the UK at Rose Lane, Oxford OX1 4AZ. Registered charity no 1111939.

Find us on the Charity Commission website.

Read the minutes from our 2023 Annual General Meeting and FOBGA's Articles of Association (2020).

Friends' Accounts year ending 2023.