Things to see and do

Explore and learn more about this historical space on one of our garden tours.  

Tucked behind Goldney House in Clifton Wood, you'll find lots to explore. The garden features an orchard, ornamental garden, orangery, canal and tower, rotunda and bastion, and Corinthian columns.  Our magical grotto is a stunning example of an 18th-century garden feature. Neat spacious lawns are the perfect spot for a picnic or some peaceful solo and group activities. More to see and do in these gardens:

• Garden map and self-guided walking tours
• Trees and plants
• Wildlife and nature
• Public art
• Volunteer
• Instagram for Goldney Garden

Garden map and self-guided walking tours

Download the Goldney Garden map (PDF, 7,741kB) to help you find your way around the garden.

Trees and plants

The garden boasts a great mix of formal and informal plants, so there's always something stunning to look at. You’ll find lots of trees, including old yews, conifers and a big cedar.

We survey our trees annually, to monitor their health. You can see information about all our trees, with photographs, on our online map.

If you are in the garden, you use the QR codes on many of our larger or more unusual trees to find out more about them on the online map.

Seasonal interest

In spring, our garden comes alive with a dazzling array of blooming bulbs. As the seasons roll on, our wildflower meadows and lush herbaceous borders come to life. 

During summer, our canal bursts with the bright colours of two or three kinds of waterlilies. Autumn brings ripe fruits and juicy apples.

Wildlife and nature

A pocket urban oasis for wildlife where birds and other animals can be spotted within the sheltered confines of the garden's high walls. Our canal is a magnet for wildlife.  Over the years, herons, kingfishers, ducks, and newts have been spotted in the gardens. 

In the woodland areas you'll find habitats for badgers and foxes, and hear the knocking of woodpeckers. Squirrels enjoy climbing the many species of trees, looking for food.

Public art

There is one work of public art in Goldney Garden, which you can arrange to visit. This is Castaway by Frank Benson. 

Find further works of public art on permanent display around the University.

Volunteer

Students and staff can join organised volunteering sessions helping out the Gardens and Grounds team in our gardens.

Volunteering activities include:

• general maintenance including weeding and fence building
• bulb planting
• building and maintaining homes for wildlife.

To find out how to take part in volunteering activities:

• staff, contact us
• students, find University-organised volunteering opportunities on the events calendar or volunteering opportunities organised with the SU in the Students' Union's What's On events list
• students, if you want to volunteer with us regularly, join the Students' Union's Conservation Group

Instagram for Goldney Garden

See what others are doing in the garden and add your own images #uobgoldneyhallgarden or tag us in your stories @uobgoldneyhallgarden.

Facilities

• Access
• Parking
• Bike storage
• Refreshments and toilets
• Seats and benches
• Code of conduct
• Hiring Goldney Garden

Access

Take care when walking around the garden. There are areas with water features and spots where falls can occur. The landscape is diverse, with grassy paths, narrow gravel footpaths, inclines, steps, and dimly lit passages in the grotto.

Parking

Goldney Garden does not have dedicated parking. However, metered parking is available on the streets surrounding the gardens. On Sundays, parking is free of charge.

Bike storage

You can store your bike near Goldney Garden.

Refreshments and toilets

The nearest University Source Cafe is The Balloon Bar. This is open to the public. 

There is a toilet at the Source Cafe

Find Source Cafe opening hours.

There are several local cafes and shops in Clifton Village which is a five minute walk away from the garden.

Seats and benches 

There are several benches around the garden for you to relax and enjoy the view. 

Code of conduct

This is a private garden, and we expect you to treat the space with respect and courtesy. 

• Take your litter home with you. 
• Keep dogs on a lead; only assistance dogs are welcome. 
• Clean up after your dog. 
• Supervise children. 
• Stick to paths, avoid disturbing wildlife, and don't damage property, trees, plants or lawns. 
• No barbecues, fires, camping, skateboarding, or aggressive cycling. 
• Follow additional safety instructions, if there are building works taking place. 

Hiring Goldney Garden

You can hire Goldney Garden for your own event or function. Goldney House hosts weddings, meetings and events.

To hold an event at the Goldney Garden, members of the public should contact our events team.

History of the site and the garden design 

Find out more about the history of the site how the garden design has evolved.  

Thomas Goldney III inherited the 16 acre garden in 1731. In the next 35 years he combined formal and informal styles of the 17th and 18th centuries. The garden became a popular destination for visitors and writers. 

Find out more about the history of Goldney Garden and our other gardens in the Historic Gardens book.

Research in Goldney Garden

Our gardens and green spaces are often used for research projects involving: 

• small mammals such as bats and birds
• larger mammals such as badgers and foxes
• insects such as moths and bees.

We welcome researchers and research projects from various disciplines, including archaeology, art history, biological sciences, geography and geology.

Learn more about doing research in our gardens.