Garden Group visit to Leicester University Botanic Garden 20th May 2026
20 members of the Garden Group ventured over the county border and into Leicestershire to visit the University Botanic Garden in Oadby. We were split into 2 groups for a guided walk around the gardens lasting about 1 ½ hours.
The garden was created in 1947 from 4 Edwardian houses which each had about 4 acres of land, so now spans 16 acres in total. The houses had been built by wealthy Leicester industrialists with backgrounds as diverse as Shoemaking, Hosiery and Brick making. These now all belong to the University and provide a grand backdrop to the gardens
Over time, the garden developed into one of the most diverse in the region, with formal Edwardian-style planting, woodland and herbaceous borders, rock and water gardens, meadows, arboretum areas, and glasshouses displaying tropical, warm temperate, alpine, and succulent plants. In 1995, it was named the Harold Martin Botanic Garden after a former university registrar. It continues to support teaching, research, conservation, and public engagement.
The group explored woodland and herbaceous borders, rock gardens, a water garden, meadow areas, and an arboretum.
A major highlight is the garden’s four specialist glasshouses, which showcase tropical plants, warm temperate species, alpines, and succulents
Among the most memorable features are the Water Garden with its roses, pergola and water lilies; the Sunken Garden laid out as a formal parterre and the Sandstone Garden with its mature Japanese maples.
Recently the University have appointed a new director for the gardens, Nick Bailey, who has already made some changes and has plans for a world food garden together with a café.
No visit would be complete without finishing with tea and cake, which was provided by the University in Beaumont House. A very enjoyable visit to a largely unknown garden so relatively close to us.
Clive & Ann Tyrrell
