SPOTLIGHT ON...
Our stunning grounds
One of the major attractions for studying at the University of Exeter is undoubtedly the beauty of our gorgeous grounds.
Streatham Campus is a registered botanic garden and recognised as being the most beautiful and botanically interesting of any UK University. The Independent describes it as “sublime” and The Times describes it as the “best-gardened campus in Britain.” The Campus’s enduring glory is thanks to the amazing team of 34 grounds staff who work on the 153 hectares of the University’s estate, 365 days a year and in all weathers.
The grounds staff take care to protect the biodiversity of our campuses, and they are responsible for the upkeep of all of the grounds’ various outdoor environments – ponds and watercourses, the cherry orchard, the wildflower meadows and the wooded areas of the Taddiforde / Hoopern Valley. Indeed, their dedication and expertise in horticulture and environmental responsibility has been recognised with a Double Gold Award at the 2025 Britain in Bloom South West Awards. A richly deserved honour for a team who contribute so significantly to the enjoyment of life and learning for students and staff on our campuses, as well as the local community and visiting alumni.
Notes from the collector on the inside cover page of the first edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, 1897.
Writing desk owned by Daphne Du Maurier, situated in the Ronald Duncan Reading Room, Streatham Campus.
The first edition of Dracula with yellow cloth cover.
On two occasions in 2025 our alumni community were treated to a very special experience by this wonderful team: Alex Adams, the University’s Arboricultural Manager took time out of his busy schedule to lead groups of alumni on guided tours of the Streatham Campus gardens, and in particular the amazing trees by Reed Hall.
Alex has worked as an arborist at the University since 2018, after more than 10 years’ experience in the industry. He has an extensive knowledge of, and love for the myriad of trees on our grounds (there are around 10,000 in total) and his enthusiasm for their care is infectious.
Reflecting on our grounds, Alex shared: “Having such a wide and diverse collection of trees with such an historic link to the Veitch family and their team of plant collectors is one of the main draws to the Streatham Campus. Having their care under my custodianship is a pleasure.
“Trees are central to how people experience the University. By caring for them, our team are directly enhancing the daily environment of thousands of students, staff, and visitors (including alumni). Shade on hot days, calm during stressful moments, seasonal colour, wildlife corridors and habitats all come from trees that are present on our campuses. We continue to add to the collection and look upon every addition as a way of increasing the resilience of our collection and increasing the biodiversity of these beautiful spaces.”
“The collection has year-round interest as there is always something putting on a show whatever the time of year that you visit.”
Alex Adams, Arboricultual Manager.
On the tours we heard about the phenomenon of Champion Trees – trees that have been awarded a supreme honour for their size, age, rarity or historical significance. We also learned about the history of the Reed Hall gardens, which date back to the 19th century when the grounds of Reed (then Streatham) Hall were planted by the Veitch family of nurserymen. Attendees also heard about the techniques used by Alex and the grounds team to propagate, protect and cultivate the plethora of rare and delightful plants which abound. It was a fascinating experience and there were numerous questions which Alex answered without hesitation. Afterwards, many alumni said that they wished everyone could be as enthusiastic about their job as Alex is!
After the autumnal tour in September, attendees congregated in Reed Hall for a well-deserved glass of wine and some delightful reminiscences about their time on Streatham Campus as undergraduates. Many remarked with regret that they had no idea this fascinating wonderland of flora existed at that time.
If you would like to find out more about the diversity of plant life in Exeter or to visit Streatham Campus to investigate it yourself, there is a wealth of information about the grounds on the University website: exeter.ac.uk/about/gardens
Alumni are always welcome to visit any of our three campuses: Streatham Campus and St Luke’s Campus in Devon and Penryn Campus in Cornwall. Our University website includes various downloadable horticultural highlights guides, maps for official walking trails and our historical Tremough heritage gardens in Penryn. Opportunities to join guided tours of some of these walks are advertised on our sustainability events webpages.
Do keep an eye out for invitations to future alumni guided tours with Alex, as we have found that places often get snapped up within hours of release! Details are also advertised on our alumni events webpage: exeter.ac.uk/alumnisupporters/events
Visit us
Alumni are always welcome to visit any of our three campuses: Streatham Campus and St Luke’s Campus in Devon, and Penryn Campus in Cornwall. Our University website includes various downloadable horticultural highlights guides, maps for official walking trails and our historical Tremough heritage gardens in Penryn. Opportunities to join guided tours of some of these walks are advertised on our sustainability events webpages:
Do keep an eye out for invitations to future alumni guided tours with Alex, as we have found that places often get snapped up within hours of release! Details are also advertised on our alumni events webpage:
