Oxford Botanic Garden: Roam Virtually

If there's one place in Oxford that I'd really keen to go and see again someday; it'd be the Oxford Botanic Garden - which was one of the many places that I visited very often - almost every weekend I'd go there to just roam around. Even registered for a yearly pass for the last 2 years! It was sort of a 'hideaway' place from daily routine. Moreover, it is located in the fringe of the city centre - to be exact in the Rose Lane OX1 4AZ, only few mins walking from the Plain - when in the garden; one could easily feel being in the centre where everybody is, whilst at the same time being somewhere secluded in solitude, surrounded by nature.

Yesterday, when I opened the website to find an info about planting, I saw a link that says virtual visit. It's a common thing recently to experience things and locations virtually due to the global pandemic, but I've never heard about this cool thing; that the Botanic Garden can now be visited virtually! It's only a little more than a month since the last time I visited the garden, but I've missed it already; especially the tropical Glasshouse. The last time that I visited with a friend in late June; the Glasshouses were closed due to social distancing. I was so happy to know that the virtual visit applies to the Glasshouses as well. Below are some shots that I took during my 'visit'!

Heading to the Lily House

Even the entrance bit is super lush with greens!

Welcome to the (Water) Lily House

The (Water) Lily House - is my favorite part of the Glasshouses clusters. Of course, because it has the 'home' vibe! By 'home' vibe; I mean Indonesian temperature. :p Whenever I missed home during few years back, I've always run to the Garden and roamed around the Lily House; feeling nostalgic and sentimental. Familiar plant colours and shapes, familiar weather, and familiar feelings, too. I felt I was not too far away. My energy then got recharged easily soon after.

Broad leaves, exotic colours, and unusual patterns

My fave corner of the House :) Can you see the ferns in the shade below?

The 'home-y' vibe: South East feel in the North

Compare to many other botanic gardens in the UK, the one in Oxford is relatively small in size - though it has quite plentiful plant collections. Some had been captured also in my Flickr album, dedicated to the Garden. The city surely has many things to offer, but if you ever visit the city someday, be sure to go visit the Botanic Garden. Because... Who doesn't love plants?