Durham University Botanic Garden

The site of the botanic garden was parkland associated with Oswald House, which stood on the site of Collingwood College. By the late 19th century this was formalised, with field boundaries removed and tree clumps introduced, followed by specimen trees. Some of these 19th century specimen trees were later incorporated into the botanic gardens. The original Durham University Botanic Garden was established in 1925 adjacent to the university's science laboratories, where the university's Bill Bryson Library now stands. Increased pressure on land for buildings on that site led to the garden being relocated to its current site on Hollingside Lane behind Grey College in 1970. It was then part of…

The garden has an array of exotic plants with collections ranging from Chile in South America, China and Japan in the Far East, as well as from Southern Africa and New Zealand. The garden is also home to an arboretum, Alpine garden and bamboo grove. Within the glasshouses tropical rainforest flora, desert plants and species from the Mediterranean are on show as well as tropical insects such as stick insects, scorpions, butterflies and tarantulas. There are self-guided tours and trails around the garden, including a science trail, a quiz trail and a nature trail aimed at children. The gardens also host a variety of events.