There are gardens everywhere in Oxford but they're not always that easy to get into. Oxford with its college gardens provides a cornucopia of just about everything and the art is to think about when you can get in them without paying the entrance fee that many now extract. Two of the most interesting and varied are those of Magdalen College and Merton College and one such occasion is the Oxford Open Doors weekend held every September. To add to the variety there are endless other colleges to visit with a huge variety of planting and landscape, such as Wadham, Worcester and New Colleges; of course, taking in as well, the delights of the historic and learning environment.

www.oxfordopendoors.org.uk/
Magdalen College
High Street, Oxford OX1 4AU
+44(0)1865 276000
Google map: bit.ly/llGX6I

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A small but lovely modern art collection exists on the upper floor of the newly refurbished Ashmolean Museum. It contains pieces by lesser known artists in addition to lesser known works by famous artists. I was amazed to see Tea Party in America, one of the first paintings by Howard Hodgkin, created when he was just 16! In addition, until 20 February there’s a special exhibition of sculpture by contemporary British artist Thomas Houseago, the Ashmolean’s first collaboration with Modern Art Oxford.

www.ashmolean.org/
Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PH
+44(0)1865 553 823
Google map: bit.ly/gtuiSz

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Largest stock of new and second hand books on Mind, Body, Spirit, Health and the Unexplained that I know of in the UK. Good for browsing and also internet service.

111 Magdalen Rd, Oxford OX4 1RQ
+44(0)1865 245 301
www.innerbookshop.com/
Google map: bit.ly/9pR5iN

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Unicorn is a vintage boutique simply like no other: upon entering, you will find yourself standing in roughly three square feet of floor space, surrounded by piles upon piles of what can only be described as untamed clothing that extends as far as the eye can see. After the initial amazement, you will soon be greeted by the lady who, on requesting an item, will dive- quite literally- deep into the realms of clothes and nearly always return (although sometimes a considerable time later) brandishing the said item, be it bodices or brogues. This quirky shop's capacity of three makes it all the more worth the visit when in Oxford.

5 Ship Street, Oxford, OX1 3DE

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