The Parks are open from 8 a.m. until half an hour before dusk on each day of the year, except the Monday of St Giles Fair. Closing times are displayed inside the gates.
Entrance is free.
There is no car parking. This lies between the upper and lower levels of the river and is thus traditionally known as Mesopotamia . Between 1912 and the early 1950s, a further portion was taken over for buildings in the University Science Area. In June 1863, the University was presented with a plan for the Parks by Mr James Bateman of Magdalen College . The Reverend Thomas Hopkins, Curator, directed the first plantings which were carried out under the supervision of Mr William Baxter, then Superintendent of the University Botanic Garden .