IN BLOOM

How Plants Changed Our World
19 Mar – 16 Aug 2026

What do we really know about the plants and flowers in our gardens and window boxes?

Beyond their beauty, many have hidden histories – tales of exploration, obsession, and knowledge.

This major new exhibition takes visitors on a journey from Oxford to the farthest corners of the world and back, uncovering the global stories behind some of Britain’s most beloved blooms – from roses and tulips to camellias and peonies.

Featuring over 100 artworks and objects, including drawings, paintings, rare prints, and ceramics, In Bloom explores our changing relationship with the natural world.

From the fascinating stories of curiosity and ingenuity of early plant explorers to the networks that shaped global trade, this exhibition reveals how the pursuit of exotic plants transformed landscapes, economies, and cultures, leaving a legacy that still shapes our world today.

A Vase of Flowers still life with vibrant red tulips and other flowers, by Dutch artist Simon Verelst

John Tradescant the Younger as a Gardener portrait - hand on spade

Study of an Oriental Poppy by May Morris

A young woman holds a beautiful bunch of pale pink orchids up to her nose in this painting by the artist Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema, 1879

Duncan Grant Hollyhock, Charleston, Kate Friend, 2019

Black glass flowers contemporary installation by artist Anahita Norouz

Coloured engraving of banana blossom with life stages of Bullseye moth pictured on the plant by artist Maria Sibylla Merian, 1726

Turkish dish with red and blue tulips and carnations, c. 1565

Members visit for free and do not need to book, but will need to show proof of Membership on entry to the exhibition.

In Bloom Members' Exclusive Exhibition Preview is 18 Mar 2026

Ashmolean Members enjoy unlimited free access to all exhibitions, exclusive preview days and special events, our Members' Magazine sent twice a year, plus shop, café and restaurant discounts. Every Membership supports the Museum.

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Ticket prices

Standard ticket

Ticket prices

£16.20
£18.00 with Gift Aid

FREE Entry (but booking is recommended) for

Members & Patrons, Corporate Members
Under 12s
Carers (see 'Disabled visitors & carers' section, below)
University of Oxford students
Pupils with ASH pass
OU GLAM staff
Museum colleagues (OU Ruskin School, ICOM, UK Museums Association, NMDC members)

Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.

Half-Price tickets available at £8.10 or £9 with Gift Aid for:

Art Fund members
Children aged 12–17 years and under 25s
Recipients of Universal Credit
NB Available onsite only at the Museum, not for online booking)

Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.

Disabled visitors & carers

Disabled visitors should book a regular exhibition ticket at full or concession price, depending on eligibility.

Accompanying carers can access the exhibition for free with a ticket-holding disabled visitor, but should please book one of our free 'Carer' tickets for the same time slot.

BECOME A MEMBER
FOR UNLIMITED FREE ENTRY

Membership gives you unlimited access to exhibitions, as well as members-only previews, exclusive discounts in our our shop, restaurant and café, and much more.

Do I need to book in advance?

No, but booking is recommended to guarantee entry.

Is the exhibition accessible

Yes. Access to the exhibition is via lift and the entire exhibition is wheelchair accessible. Handheld labels are available.

There is also a level access route from the pavement outside the Museum to the front door. You can read more about Museum access at this link Ashmolean Access Guide

Disabled visitors should book a regular exhibition ticket at full or concession price, depending on eligibility. Accompanying carers can access the exhibition for free with a ticket-holding disabled visitor, but will need to book a free, timed Carer ticket.

I'm a member of the Press and Media, can I request a complimentary exhibition ticket?

For any media enquiries about our exhibitions, please refer to our Press information page.

Is there an exhibition audio tour available?

Yes, a Smartify audio guide will be available when the exhibition opens. It will be available to pre-order shortly.

The guide is £5 with a full price ticket, and £5 for Members and Patrons with free tickets. You will be offered the guide on our Ticket store once you've selected your tickets and date.

It's narrated by Arit Anderson, the presenter of BBC Gardeners' World and featuring voices including historical novelist Philippa Gregory.

We recommend you buy the Smartify audio tour before visiting the exhibition when you pre-book your ticket and save it to your smartphone. Please bring your headphones so you can listen to it on your own device as you enjoy the exhibition. But if you forget them, you can purchase some headphones at our shop or welcome desk.

Pre-book your In Bloom audio guide when you book your tickets

You can also purchase the tour at the exhibition shop or at the exhibition entrance.

Please note, if you're visually impaired the audio guide is free to listen to on your own device. There is no need to pre-book this, the QR code to the self-guided tour can be requested at the exhibition ticket desk on the day of your visit.

Can I visit the exhibition free using the NMDC and other museum reciprocal arrangements?

Yes, you can visit our special exhibitions for FREE under the NMDC (National Museum Directors' Council), ICOM (International Council of Museums) and UK Museums Association reciprocal entry schemes.

You will need to bring proof of eligibility (Membership or Staff Card) with you on the day of your visit and present this with your ticket. Pre-booking is recommended.

Please note that these reciprocal tickets are not available to book in advance during the final two weeks of the exhibition. We cannot guarantee free entry for reciprocal status visitors during this time if there is limited capacity and the exhibition is selling out.