We do love ourselves a botanical garden. These oases of tranquility are always so magnificently at odds with the manic chaos of modern life that takes place outside their borders. Bristol’s botanical garden is no different, a serene homage to nature that is found smack-bang in the heart of the city. The university has had a garden of this type since 1882 — although it has been moved a couple of times — and the displays are forever evolving. Almost 5000 different species are found in these 640 square metres.